Chapter 6: The Values and workplace relations

Job satisfaction

The employee survey asked respondents to choose the five most important workplace factors (out of a list of 15) that impacted most on how satisfied they were with their job. Respondents were then asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with their top five factors.

Table 6.5: Job Satisfaction—top five workplace factors

Note: (a) Of the employees who nominated this factor as one of their top five and rated it, the percentage who were either ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the factor in their current workplace.

Source: Employee survey

It can be seen from Table 6.5 that there is a happy congruence between the two most commonly chosen workplace factors (‘good working relationships’ and ‘flexible working arrangements’) and the highest satisfaction ratings. Similarly, the two lowest satisfaction ratings, 43% for ‘opportunities for career development’ and 49% for ‘appropriate workload’ are for workplace factors ranked twelfth and thirteenth respectively. The only notable exceptions to this general picture is for the factor ‘regular feedback/recognition for effort’, which employees ranked relatively highly (eighth) but which received the third lowest satisfaction rating, and the two factors which were least nominated by employees in their top five (‘other conditions of employment’ and ‘safe and comfortable work environment’) which received the third and fourth highest satisfaction rating.

The following comments made in the employee survey are illustrative:

I am continuing to learn in my position. I think that makes it all the more interesting and rewarding.

Overall, I enjoy the job, especially dealing with staff and public. The only real dissatisfaction is not getting feedback regularly, not getting support, and limited promotional opportunities. The pay can also be a factor. Compared to some other agencies at the same level of work we have much lower pay.

I am very happy with the flexible hours I can work.

I enjoy my work but more positive regular feedback would be a useful motivational tool but is not used to any great extent.

I have a great job, 80% to 90% of the time I enjoy going to work.

Job satisfaction for me comes a lot from relationships and the ability to have some autonomy in my work.

My job is the best I have ever had and the environment is one which encourages, even demands, continual learning and improvement. I love it!

From experience I think working relationships are critical. Two years ago I was very happy in my current job but with a changeover in personnel and managers it has become increasingly unpleasant.

I happen to work in a very interesting area. I am very satisfied with my job and have good relationships with colleagues.

Although I am satisfied with my job and would not like to move there is no recognition from management for work well done or work that exceeds expectations.

Poor and inadequate performance by management has the biggest impact on general work dissatisfaction.

I would love my job if only I had the opportunity to reduce my workload.

A summary index was created from the results of the job satisfaction question in the employee survey. The index ranges from zero (respondent was very dissatisfied with all five of the factors nominated) to 10 (respondent was very satisfied with all five factors). An index of five translates to a respondent being, on average, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with his/her nominated five factors.

For all respondents the proportion with a job satisfaction index over five was 76%. This varied among the 21 large agencies for which statistically valid results were available. Four agencies (BOM, FaCS, DEH and Centrelink) achieved a job satisfaction index of over five for more than 80% of their employees. The lowest agency job satisfaction index of over five was 64% of employees.

Women have slightly higher levels of job satisfaction than men (78% with a job satisfaction index of over five compared to 74% of men). Job satisfaction is positively correlated with age (66% for employees under 25, for employees aged 25 to 54 years around 75% and 87% for employees over 55). Job satisfaction does not appear to vary with agency size, with location inside or outside the ACT or whether employees have caring responsibilities. It does vary, however, by classification with SES (92%) having significantly higher levels of job satisfaction than ELs (75%) and APS 1–6 (76%).