The Chopra Center reviewed multiple research studies and surveys to identify the five elements of job satisfaction. Organizations like the Journal of Healthcare Management, Gallup, The Conference Board, and the Society for Human Resource Management performed these studies.
The research, summarized by Noah Shaw with Pollack Peacebuilding Systems, noted that while extrinsic factors like salary are important, intrinsic factors had the greatest impact on an employee’s satisfaction. For example, one survey showed that professional growth opportunities and personal values that aligned with the company were more valuable than pay when it came to overall job satisfaction.
According to the research, five factors are key to employee satisfaction in the workplace:
Engagement: Employees who are engaged in their work feel more connected to and invested in it, which can lead to increased satisfaction.
Respect: Employees need to feel respected, and receiving praise and appreciation for their work helps them feel valued.
Fair compensation: Compensating employees fairly for their work contributes to the feelings of appreciation and respect noted above. Fair compensation can affect an employee’s overall life satisfaction too.
Motivation: Motivation plays a role in an employee’s engagement at work. Motivated employees are more likely to be focused on and invested in their jobs, and they’re often happier as a result.
Life satisfaction: Employees who are satisfied with their lives are more likely to be satisfied with their work as well.