Research has taught us a lot about job satisfaction and the motivation of workers First workers are more motivated if their job offers a sense of community A sense of community grows when workers get recognition for their accomplishments and when they bel

Research has taught us a lot about job satisfaction and the motivation of workers. First, workers are more motivated if their job offers a sense of community. A sense of community grows when workers get recognition for their accomplishments and when they believe their skills are being well used. Social organization in the workplace is important. Supervisors and co-workers have a tremendous influence on job satisfaction. When workers are asked what they like or do not like about their job, around 80 percent will mention the people they work with.
Second, while workers value traditional economic incentives such as pay and promotions, they also have needs and expectations that go beyond economic concerns. Workers need a sense of security in the workplace. Security comes from confidence in the system that they are part of, the quality of the product or service they provide, and the reputation of the company. Security comes from the personal satisfaction o knowing that their skills are being utilized in a way that contributes to the company’s success.
Third, the most satisfying jobs are those with a high level of autonomy, in which employees can make their own decisions about the pacing and sequence of work with minimal supervision. Job autonomy is most often found in high-pay and high-prestige occupations. In jobs in the middle or lower levels of pay and prestige, workers generally have less autonomy. The lower the occupational status, the more heavily supervised the workers are, and the fewer decisions they can make on their own.