Wednesday, April 2, 2008

What Makes a Happy, Satisfied Employee?

Let's say you've already started working for a company. You've gotten over the thrill and excitement of your first day at the office and the routine work is starting to bore you. You begin to see yourself as a toy soldier doing the same set of scheduled tasks everyday. In short, you're no longer happy with your job.

Meanwhile, your neighbor, Mr. Wilson, has been working as a janitor for thirty years and is about to retire. One hot afternoon the two of you had the chance to finish a couple of beers and he started telling you about how much he would miss his job once he retires. He shared with you all the fun times he experienced at work, and he loved his job as a janitor. He admits he didn't earn that much, but you could see that he is contented with the way his job went. Now you ask, what makes an employee happy, just like Mr. Wilson?

It's not really all about the salary, but there are also other important factors that make up a satisfied worker, such as the following:

1. A safe working environment. Employees are motivated to work at their best in a place that meets their needs. Depending on the nature of their job, employees must be assured that the workplace should keep them safe and secure from any harm, and that proper facilities should be provided for them to use.

2. An employer who addresses his employees needs. It is important for the employer to respond to the complaints, demands and other needs of his employees because it shows that he cares and wants only the best for their welfare. This can be done by constant communication between the employer and his employees.

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3. Ample consideration for certain privileges. Apart from the leave privileges mandated by law, employees are also entitled to some time adjustments especially when these have to do with their family. These adjustments can now be practiced through Flexi-time and similar time schedule schemes.

4. Camaraderie among workmates. Social interaction among other employees is an integral part of employee satisfaction, for it develops their teamwork and mutual respect for each other. Through this employees will be more enthusiastic at work because it also the place where they spend time with their friends.

Compensation doesn't always make an employee truly happy, contrary to what most people think. If you haven't achieved the above-mentioned factors yet, chances are you find yourself constantly changing jobs.

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