Job Satisfaction

Job satisfaction is an emotional feeling described by Weiss as “the attitude one holds about one’s job” (Weiss, 2002). Job satisfaction varies depending on the likes and dislikes of the individual. Employees that are satisfied with their jobs make the workplace “feel different, and better” (Studer, 2008). Per application assignment, a job satisfaction survey was conducted on five employees. The location chosen was the local Veterans Health Administration facility.

The job satisfaction survey can help to identify areas of concerns that may affect employee’s attitudes and performance. The survey can be used as a guide for problem solving and decision-making on areas that may affect the organization’s environment, employee attitudes, and/or productivity. Employee turnover and retention are closely linked to job dissatisfaction may lead to behavioral problems, increased turnover and absenteeism.

While conducting and the survey and the interviews it became apparent that pay is the main common key factor of job satisfaction. Three out of five interviewees accepted that pay is the main influence of job satisfaction. Linda Bauman, although almost ready for retirement, was seeking a position of prestige that can also provide more income. Tavarez, the prosthetics supervisor, on the contrary does not feel that pay is the main influence of job satisfaction but job security instead. Williams the nurse, and Curtiss the respiratory therapist do feel that pay is their main factor of job satisfaction; whereas Maria, the nurse, considers a healthy and safe work environment means to be the key to job satisfaction. (Tavarez, Bauman, Williams, Curtiss, Gonzalez, personal communication, April, 2013). The money or reward factor seems to be even more important now due to the drastic changes in the economy.

The second common key factor of job satisfaction is benefits, which is observed among the non-supervisory positions. There are many different types of benefits, but the most...