Job dissatisfaction refers to unhappy or negative feelings about work or the work environment. There exist many factors which may result in job dissatisfaction.
Some of them are poor working conditions, overwork, low pay levels, no scope of promotion or career advancement, and lack of recognition. But what is worst are the consequences of job dissatisfaction which affect both the employees and the organization.
It may result in loss of motivation, lack of interest, frustration, poor productivity, absenteeism, and even high turnover rates. There are several specific causes for job dissatisfaction, but it is understood that four main areas reside in this issue.
The effects of low job satisfaction can be far-reaching, and this issue is of concern for small business owners and large companies.
8 causes of Job Dissatisfaction are;
Underpaid
Not being paid what one is worth is called being underpaid.
If a person does not think they are being paid enough to do their job, they perceive themselves to be underpaid. If they research the wages for that job and find they are indeed underpaid, their dissatisfaction is warranted.
From a company’s perspective, it is a valuable and important issue because individuals dissatisfied with the money they are making for their job will most likely leave the organization.
Limited Career Growth
Not having the opportunity to climb the ladder and grow the career is another area that can foster dissatisfaction with a position.
For this aspect, it is important to understand that not everyone wants to move up the ladder.
This could mean that the employee may leave for another organization with better career growth opportunities.
Lack of Interest
This is a very straightforward concept; one should not start his career with a job that is not an interesting area for that person.
A lack of interest in work is another reason why employees are unhappy. Most employees want to perform job duties that are engaging and challenging.
Monotonous work causes an employee to experience boredom. Bored and unchallenged employees experience little incentive to concern themselves with workplace productivity.
Poor Management
The management team plays an important role in an organization. Managers are responsible for motivating employees, planning, organizing, and controlling within the organization.
A key reason employees perform poorly in the workplace is poor management.
Managers with poor leadership skills often offer little feedback on employees’ performances. Not having the leadership required is another reason for dissatisfaction.
People want to be led. They want to work with people who inspire them and have a vision.
Without those people, an employee can feel as if the company is drifting through space, waiting to run into something.
Unsupportive Boss
With companies downsizing and keeping resources at a minimum, managers become more concerned about the bottom line rather than the very people who can directly affect the bottom line.
Managers who disengage from their employees and focus only on results without providing inspiration, motivation, or support are often unaware that they may cause job dissatisfaction.
Lack of Meaningful Work
The lack of meaningful work plays a big part in job dissatisfaction. Employees lose interest in work that offers no challenge.
Opportunities for growth or incentives for meaningful work
It’s easy to disengage from a job and organization that doesn’t value its employees or offer incentives for job growth.
When employees feel their contributions are significant, they feel happy at work and work harder.
Work and Life Balance
Companies that fail to recognize the need for employees to maintain a healthy life and work balance are ultimately affecting their productivity levels.
Even if a company can’t offer salary increases, one way to improve job satisfaction is to create trade-offs for life and work balance.
Instead of offering raises, companies might consider incentives such as paid days off, flexible scheduling, and rewards such as tickets to movies, plays, or sporting events.
