Five innovative ways to boost employee job satisfaction

The customer always comes first – that’s an adage many organisations still preach today, and yours may be no different. But you may be surprised to hear that Starbucks’ Howard Schultz disagrees. According to him, employees – and their job satisfaction – should be a company's main point of focus. Why? Let’s take a closer look.

Why is job satisfaction important?

If staff feel valued and motivated, they will serve customers better, and this will ultimately benefit your whole business.

An Australia and New Zealand-based study published in Science Direct Journal determined that there is a clear relationship between job satisfaction and the symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression and burnout people are experiencing. In a nutshell, more satisfied workers are less stressed, anxious and prone to burnout. Naturally, workers with a high level of job satisfaction are also likely to stay in their jobs for longer than their dissatisfied peers. Not least, this will help counteract the much-talked-about Great Resignation in Australia, which is also discussed in detail by Hiring Lab's Senior Economist Callam Pickering.

Job satisfaction and the associated employee well-being should therefore be at the top of your priority list.

What influences job satisfaction?

A 2021 Gartner survey found that the priorities of Australian workers are changing, with many prioritising job satisfaction over pay. The global work culture changes after the COVID-19 pandemic have seen some significant shifts here. 'Employees are in a better position than ever to be seeking more satisfaction in their employment arrangement', said Aaron McEwan, vice president at Gartner HR.

A study by the University of Houston found that ‘people who are more interested in their jobs tend to be more satisfied’, and ‘interest fit significantly predicts satisfaction’. For you, this means it’s critical to create jobs with remits and responsibilities that appeal to the right talent and make them want to come and work for you. However, it also means creating just the right mix of people because many workers also report that, in terms of job satisfaction, who they work with can be just as important as what they actually do.

Tips on how to increase job satisfaction in the workplace

You may be wondering: How can managers increase job satisfaction in my organisation? What can I personally do? Here are five innovative ideas for your consideration.

1)    Cut down hours

It may seem counterintuitive at first – after all, won’t employees who work shorter hours be less productive? Not according to research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. When examining work hour trends and job satisfaction indicators in countries including the UK, Germany, Switzerland and Australia, the OECD found that working more than 45 hours a week was associated with less favourable health outcomes and less satisfaction. In Australia specifically, staff working more than 55 hours a week reported dissatisfaction with their work and the worst self-perceived health levels. So, consider introducing a four-day week or at least scheduling an RDO for your staff every fortnight, or even shortening the working day to 2pm to let staff enjoy their afternoons. You may find that this could make them more focused and productive in the hours they are working.

2)    Send staff home

Working 100% on-site is so pre-pandemic. Today, workers expect to have the flexibility to work from home at least one or two days a week, and many companies have already implemented such a hybrid model.

It’s no secret that a good work-life balance leads to increased job satisfaction among employees. Data from a Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey released in December 2022 also found that working from home boosts job satisfaction, especially among female workers.

If your organisation is still heavily reliant on presenteeism, you may want to look at your options for allowing staff to work away from the office at least occasionally to boost their satisfaction.

3)    Hire for fit

Take stock of your current recruitment strategy. Are you hiring based on experience or qualifications alone? Or do you also place value on soft skills and personality?

If you don’t, it may be time to start. When bringing on board new talent, it pays to make sure that they are a good match for your corporate culture. Having a team of people who are not only qualified on paper but also get along in real life can be a real asset. This will avoid conflict and make for an enjoyable work experience for everyone.

There’s no doubt that job satisfaction rates will be higher among your staff when everyone is a great fit. Hiring for culture fit is, therefore, something to consider in your hiring strategies for the future.

4)    Create a great employee experience

There’s nothing better for job satisfaction than having staff who are excited to come to work every day. You can create a strong employer brand by making employment at your organisation a great experience.

One way to do this is by developing strong relationships between management and staff – and this includes yourself! Be present and establish rapport with your workers.

Also consider investing in little perks that make your employees feel special. This could be a mobile corporate massage service or regular company events that include your workers’ families. Investing in your staff and offering them paid training and qualifications will also be well received and boost your staff’s job satisfaction.

What's more, welcoming workspaces and an attractive environment are essential for making your team comfortable and happy with their choice of employment.

5)    Let them be themselves

Nowadays, creating an inclusive environment that caters to neurodivergent employees can be a huge asset. After all, ‘around 15-20% of people are neurodivergent, and many companies now recognise that a neurodiverse workplace can strengthen their workforce.’

A simple yet effective way to boost job satisfaction in this respect can be to assist with sensory difficulties. This may include allowing the use of dimmed lights, introducing treadmill desks and a ‘quiet zone’, as well as catering to preferred communication styles, such as email only.

A change you may consider that would probably be appreciated by all your employees, neurodivergent and neurotypical alike, is revising your dress code to allow for more individual attire, piercings or dyed hair as a means of personal expression. Such a measure is unlikely to affect productivity but, on the contrary, may boost morale and increase job satisfaction among your workforce.

Put your staff first

As you can see, Howard Schultz certainly had the right idea. It pays to invest in your employees and make sure they are satisfied with their jobs. With this solid foundation in place, the rest will follow. Hopefully, some or all of the ideas above will help you make changes to not only boost your workers’ job satisfaction but build a better company overall.And best of all: knowing your staff are happy and you've done all you can to create a pleasant and comfortable working environment will also boost your own job satisfaction! Although often overlooked, executive leadership satisfaction is ultimately just as important as management and employee satisfaction. After all, happy leaders are more likely to produce happy employees.