Job Satisfaction?Then And Now

While reviewing material on stress management, I came on an article about a survey that should be of considerable interest to bankers.

Employees were asked,"What is most important to you for job satisfaction?". Did I hear you say, "Raise my pay?" No, indeed! That was number 14 on the list! From 7,800 answers, the first 10 requirements read like this:
Interesting and challenging work.
Management that makes employees feel important as individuals.
Never being bored at work.
Management that provides feedback on performance.
A job where rewards are strongly related to performance.
Having a management that is good at setting goals.
A job that provides status.
A job with opportunities for advancement.
Having a management that avoids "crisis management".
Having a management that assigns reasonable work loads.

WHAT MANAGEMENT IS DOING WRONG?
Sixty-one percent (61%) of the employees said they are hampered by red tape when they're trying to be effective and accomplish something worthwhile for their employer.

More than half (53%) say they have unreasonable work loads. "There aren't enough hours in the day to get my work done."

Sixty-six percent (66%) said they have to do their job under constant pressure-always "under the gun". "If you figure out how to handle something, you keet quiet, because if you handle it once, it is added to your job permanently!"

Another 63% said filling out forms, getting multiple approvals,and trying to cut through all the "crap", had them buried in paper work.

The biggest complaint (over 68%) was not being made to feel important. "They don't really care about me as a person." This is a crucial requirement for job satisfaction. Harvard Business School now teaches that the new generation of executives of both sexes expects to be treated as individuals-suggesting that managers learn to display loyalty to each employee as a person, not a performer.

HOW DO YOU SURVIVE?
It's not just up to your employer to treat you well. Your job satisfaction and personal happiness depends on you-on how well you plan, adjust, create and manage your work life.

TAKE CHARGE-It's true there are some things you can't change about your job. But you can change your attitude. Asserting yourself, and taking an active role, will give you energy and confidence.

DON'T TAKE THE BLAME-Taking the blame for what's not your fault is even worse than doing nothing to change things you don't like. Insecurity can be the cause of this, other times it is simple on-the-job exploitation.

HEED YOUR HEADACHES-Signs of job dissatisfaction can include headaches, backaches, anxiety, irritability and fatigue-at home and at work. A healthy diet and lots of exercise can improve your mood and your energy level, which will increase job satisfaction.

SET GOALS-According to the study, those who were highly satisfied with their work had goals, and a feeling of success and achievement when their goals were reached. Goals are a basic need for a feeling of well being.

YESTERDAY....OR TODAY? The survey and solutions above came from a 1986 article! (The "good-old-days?") Is it so different from what you are living with now?

It was difficult to have job satisfaction in 1986, and perhaps even more difficult in these unhappy times in this industry, but not impossible if your mind-set is right. Convince yourself!

Copyright © 1990 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 1, No. 11, 11/90