What would make your job more satisfying?
Posted at 5:00 AM on January 8, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(22 Comments)
Filed under: Economy
An annual survey has found that the number of Americans who are happy with their jobs has fallen. Workers say their pay is too low, their health costs are too high and their jobs are uninteresting. What would make your job more satisfying?
Comments (22)
Respect for the job that all employees (not just me) do in the face of pay cuts, layoffs and lack of product to do the job properly. Some well thought out and well placed words in certain workers' ears to make them "straighten up and fly right". Giving back the pay cut would be great, but just a little respect is much cheaper for the company to give and I think it would improve morale all around.
Better pay. With a college degree, a good work history and solid skills I ought to be able to make a real living wage. That simply hasn't been true. I'm not talking big bucks, but 25,000/yr with benefits would be great.
Some stability, getting laid of 3 times in 2 years is too much and is getting old. Workers aren't expendable in the way people pretend we are! Turnover has a huge cost that most organizations seem to ignore.
A boss who understands that micromanaging and back stabbing doesn't make they a strong manager who is in control, it shows weakness. I do good work and want to be treated with respect.
As for tangible benefits a locker room and indoor bike parking would be great. I bike commute all year and these would be great amenities.
On a larger level on want to be part of an economy that pays people living wages, provides decent working conditions and doesn't support a system of casino capitalism that is destroying the planet. I don't want to feed into a system that is robbing us of our collective future.
To not feel like a instantly replaceable tooth in a giant cog in a dysfunctional corporation.
Never knowing if I'll have a job tomorrow or whether it will be going to India makes work very unsatifying. Executives that care more about the employees and than money, money, money.
I do like my job, it is hard on my body (lunch lady), it's is a very physical job. a lot of lifting, turning and such. And the one thing is there is always seems to be one person I don't like, no matter how much they may try, it makes it difficult when someone seems to be in cahoots with the boss, argghh! The boss is too micro managerial. The only vacation we get paid for is one week at Christmas, otherwise when the kid's are off were off, no pay! We do get medical that is a pretty good deal. Thank Goodness for our health insurance!
Competent co-workers.
Mandatory stay-at-home for sick co-workers:
My one co-workers 's kid gets sick ALL THE TIME, then he (the co-worker) comes to work while he is still contagious and I get sick every single time (and yes, this co-worker is married and his spouse is home full-time). I woke up this morning with the cold this co-worker gave me. This person goes around coughing up a lung and does not cover his mouth and tells everyone that he is not contagious. BALONEY!
To be able to bring my dog to work; she is so well behaved and would relax in my cube or under my desk.
More learning opportunities
Telecommuting
Social events at work (@ Christmas everyone brings a treat and we have about 5 different board games; we play a round and then rotate to the next game.
Cost of living + an actual pay raise .... how many Lake Homes, Corvettes and Hummers does the owner actually need?
I really love my job--I have a lot of responsibilities and a lot of autonomy, and love my bosses. I work for a small business and wish they could pay me more (or enough to establish a savings account) and offer any benefits.
I am lucky enough to truly love my job. The work is challenging and interesting and I have the wonderful opportunity to work from home 80% of the time. The one thing I would improve is to have clients with more reasonable expectations. The deadlines that are often imposed can lead to a hellish week or two. Its as though they have no respect for us contractors sometimes.
I really like the work I do, but it sure would be nice to have benefits -- health care and paid time off.
The knowledge that my hard work is not supporting the fat-cat CEOs.
Today: sleep. But mostly, I love my job.
Having one.
I would like the opportunity to tele-commute a few days a week on a scheduled basis. All of the infrastructure is already there, but the "corporate policy" doesn't allow it to be part of the scheduled work week.
More vacation and a 4 day work week!
My job would be more satisfying if it required more interaction with other people. I sit in my cubicle all day feeling lonely and unmotivated because there are no people to help hold me accountable for doing quality work.
I also would be more satisfied if I could see concretely how my work positively impacts the community around me.
Recognition, recognition, recognition.
I love my girlfriends, but I'd rather work with men. They are not as understanding when it comes to childcare issues, but in my experience, men tend to be more professional. I also appreciate work that involves communication, collaborating and innovation.
Better pay would be nice, but what I really look for in a career is a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. For me, that would require a job that allows me to make a lasting contribution to the community.
The book "Driven" seems says work satisfaction is as easy as A B C D. You need a chances to Aquire, Bond, Conquer, and Defend.
Doggy daycare. If I could take a break for lunch, go hang out & play with my pup, then go back to work, I think I'd be much more relaxed & ready to take on the day. I read once that 70% of people would take a 10% pay cut if they could bring their dog or cat to work with them.
| January 2010 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||
Master Archive
Recent Entries
- Have changes to the airline passenger experience affected your willingness to fly?
- Should marijuana be available for medical use in Minnesota?
- Do the struggles of Minnesota's business icons signal trouble for the state's economy?
- Do you know whether insurance would cover your losses in a major storm?
- What kind of recycling program would you be likely to use the most?
- Would you support paying people for organ or tissue donations?
- Have personal relationships in the workplace ever presented a problem for you?
- Do you think Facebook is a passing fad?
- Will you be less likely to visit the Minnesota Zoo without its dolphins?
- Should authorities in the Twin Cities change the way they warn people about tornadoes?
Public Insight Network
The Public Insight Network draws upon your experiences to help shape our coverage.More
Categories
Services
In The Spotlight
-
Sound Learning
Looking for ways to ensure your students are doing quality research from credible sources? Sound Learning is a launching point to Minnesota Public Radio's content on the Web. -
The Current Music Blog
Your daily note for good music, news and pop culture. With attempted jokes.
- Become a Member
- Member Connect Accounts
- Leadership Circle
- Sustaining Members
- Member Discounts
- Become a Sponsor
- Tax Information
- Planned Giving
- Vehicle Donation
- Donate Stock