What Truly Makes Employees Happy at Work? Let's Discuss Your Thoughts

Dear All,

Shall we start a discussion on the core factors that make employees feel satisfied in their jobs? Please offer your views to make it interesting.

Regards,
S. Srinivasan

Hi,

In my opinion, autonomy, a well-defined career path, and challenging job are the factors that can make employees satisfied. Actually, there are a lot of factors that depend on individuals as well. What one gives importance to varies - some prioritize money while others prioritize growth. We can never ignore the importance of money in life. However, we cannot say that money is the prime motivating factor that makes employees satisfied.

Regards,
Chaitali
Surat, Gujarat

Hi, a number of companies have done a lot of research on employee engagement/retention factors, such as BlessingWhite, Towers Perrin and Hewitt.
Some of the factors identified are:
-clear goals and roles
-can see how their role contributes to the organization's objectives
-opportunity for individual growth and development
-helpful feedback on performance
-meaningful incentives and rewards for good performance
-challenging and stimulating tasks
-provided the tools and resources to do a good job
-treated with respect
There are others, but I think these are the main factors. You can find some useful articles on employee engagement and motivation at http://www.businessperform.com/html/...anagement.html
I'm interested to hear other people's ideas.
Les Allan
Business Performance P/L - Employee Engagement Matters
http://www.businessperform.com

Dear Folks,

If we look at the corporate culture in various institutions, we can easily conclude that effective and open communication is the prime most important thing to retain employees. In many institutions, employees are facing the FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN ("KAL KIA HOGA"), which is an important factor that forces star performers to leave. I myself witnessed a leading textile set up sinking into deep waters just because of this phenomenon. Nothing was wrong there, but the owner never discussed any of his strategic decisions with his senior managers. Eventually, people became frustrated, which resulted in a higher turnover rate, and eventually, the plant was closed.

Keep smiling.

Khurram Lodhi.

In my opinion, and in simple words:

1. A good learning environment
2. A good salary package
3. A good profile as matched with his/her qualifications

Thank you.

Hi,

You have clearly mentioned the foremost factors. I agree with your views. Today, people are jumping to other organizations like crazy, citing money as the reason. I feel that they have never stayed in any organization long enough to fully understand its values, vision, scope, employee growth opportunities, etc.

I don't think employees can truly comprehend these aspects within a mere 6-month period.

Srinivasan

Hi folks,

Most of the prime factors for employee satisfaction are already shared by other friends. The following also contributes to employee satisfaction:

- Brand Name
- Friendly Office Environment
- Employee Career Development Programs
- Fun at Work and Outings to understand each other better for Teamwork
- Additional Benefits (Travel, Food, etc...)

Thanks,
Kalyan

The most powerful tool you have for creating an enlivened, dedicated, mission-driven organization of impassioned people is a tool you can't use. You can only hold it, show it to others, gently encourage others to use it, and demonstrate it every chance you get. It's a tool whose power grows only when other people willingly use it after being inspired by your example. That is where your power lies. The tool? It's the breath of life in Herb Kelleher's formula for psychic satisfaction. It's OTJJ—On The Job Joy. Its components are recognition, rewards, and fun. And when they're applied together, they can be more powerful as a motivator than even compensation.

The problem for you is that you can only set the stage for it. You can't force it. But once you choose to use it, you can turn a dreary workplace into a self-perpetuating passion machine. Are you up to that challenge?

Taken as a group, recognition, rewards, and fun are best treated as a philosophy rather than a program. Supporting and celebrating the passion and spirit of your employees must be a natural, spontaneous, and authentic part of your corporate way of life. Otherwise you will lose the foundation of trust and communication that you've already built. Your philosophy must be appropriate to the culture of your own environment. Don't try to be another Southwest Airlines. If your corporate culture is closer to that of a monastery than to that of Graceland, you can still use the principles of recognition, rewards, and fun. Just be honest. Just be from the heart.

Hi all,

Environment, food, transport, and salary are the basics in today's world. The only thing that could satisfy an employee is the right profile - choosing the right person for the right place. If they are satisfied with their profile, everything falls into place. Even if they are not satisfied with other aspects, they may adjust, but if they are not content with their job profile, it could lead to problems.

Hi,

I agree with Senthil. An employee is satisfied only when they are in the right job profile. Even if they secure a job with a good salary and incentives in a prominent organization, unless they have the desired job profile, they will not be stable. This instability can result in the employee constantly changing jobs, providing various excuses to the management.

Thanks & regards,
arc :)

Hi,

It's absolutely right that the profile of the employees will satisfy them. But how many candidates have known well about this and give it importance?

Srini

Hi all,

There are many factors that have an impact on employee satisfaction. We can divide these factors based on their importance. It can also be perceived differently; for example, if somebody is focusing on their career, they might not be interested in money. However, for a job seeker, money always matters. The main factors that can be identified are career growth and money. As discussed, there are many more factors such as the brand name of the company, company policies, fringe benefits, and, importantly, management behavior and the working environment.

However, I personally feel that money has a direct impact on satisfaction when compared to the rest of the benefits.

Regards,
Riyazuddin.K

Hi Friends
Friends the answer to this question is not as simple as you are making it to be. I don¡¦t think there can be any specific factor that can be pointed out as employee satisfaction factor. According to me it depends on a few factors:
„« The background of the employee,
„« His/her level in the organizational hierarchy,
„« The environment around him/her,
„« His/her education level.
For example a person the junior level management would be more satisfied with a pay hike whereas a higher level management executive would look for autonomy, recognition, fringe benefits etc. Similarly a technical person would be more satisfied with a challenging project at hand which makes him learn something new and also gives him a good pay.
Friends that my opinion you might not agree to it. Please free to offer any suggestions.
Regards
Rima
:idea:

Dear Srinivasan,
After having a look at your discussion topic “Core factors which makes the employees feel satisfied in their job”, I sent a mail, containing few factors which could make an employee to feel satisfied at work to few of my known persons, working at varied levels and capacities as well. From the responses I obtained, I understand that employees are looking for the factors in the below mentioned chronological order.
1. Career growth opportunities
2. Pay package
3. KRA's (Key responsibilities areas)
4. Work Environment
5. Brand name
But I personally feel that the response may vary if we reach to peoples on higher level positions such as COO, VP, and AVP.
Regards,
Sumir.

According to me, the various factors are:

1) Brand image of the company
2) Compensation offered
3) Work culture
4) Is he able to balance work and personal life? (If yes, he will be happy)
5) Growth chances
6) Challenging tasks
7) A warm and friendly environment
8) Recognition of good work done (very important according to me)
9) Other facilities provided by the company like full telephone bill reimbursement, paid travel, etc.

Hi,

I believe the work culture of an organization is one of the most important factors influencing employee satisfaction.

Regards, Jayaraj

Hi,

The following factors will make me happy:

1. A lively environment around me.
2. A well-defined job profile and career path.
3. Freedom to execute my innovative ideas.
4. A superior who won't interrupt my work.
5. Of course, a good set of people around me.

Regards,
Kalpana

I feel the following points should be considered by the employee:

1) Current compensation and growth prospects
2) Work culture
3) Ability to maintain a healthy work/life balance
4) Challenging work
5) Attitude of his superiors
6) Recognition for good work done
7) His just needs being addressed seriously

I hope this helps!