Part 1: Why Job Satisfaction is Key to a Healthy Life

In this two-part series: I explore the meaning of job satisfaction, the consequences of low job satisfaction and ways to improve job satisfaction in your own life.
 
While the start of a new year is generally seen as a time of optimism and change, for many it’s a time of introspection and self-examination, particularly when it comes to work.
And it’s easy to see why. 

According to the World Health Organization, a majority of the world’s population spends one-third of their livesin the office so it stands to reason that people want their careers to offer a certain degree of fulfillment.  

Unfortunately, career satisfaction isn’t universal and low job satisfaction can have serious consequences for people both inside and outside the workplace. 

WHAT IS JOB SATISFACTION?

Job satisfaction is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean in the practical sense? And what are some real-world indicators of workplace fulfillment?

In my observation, job satisfaction is dependent on a host of factors, including (but not limited to):

• positive reinforcement and acknowledgement 
• fair compensation and time-off allowances
• healthy work-life balance
• opportunity for advancement
• supportive management
• harmonious relationship with co-workers 
• positive work environment and healthy workplace culture

Someone who is professionally satisfied is usually content to go to work and doesn’t dread the thought of Monday morning. They generally feel a sense of contribution and perceive that their day-to-day tasks fall in line with their professional goals. A common thread among satisfied employees is knowing their work is respected and valued.

Canada’s former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Brian Dickson, hit the nail on the head in describing the importance of workplace conditionsto an individual’s overall wellbeing:

        “A person’s employment is an essential component of his or her sense
        of identity, self-worth and emotional well-being. Accordingly, the
        conditions in which a person works are highly significant in shaping the whole
        compendium of psychological, emotional and physical elements of
        a person’s dignity and self-respect.”

Now that we’ve established the meaning and significance of job satisfaction, we can delve into the consequences of low job satisfaction and strategies for overcoming it.

Stay tuned for part 2.