Job satisfaction key to employee happiness | Incentive&Motivation

Job satisfaction is the biggest motivator for UK employees, more so than monetary gain and career progression, according to the latest research from Sodexo Engage. 

It seems that ramping up job satisfaction could be achieved simply by making smaller investments in perks and benefits.

The research, conducted by One Poll, surveyed 2,000 UK employees and found that 37% of employees saw job satisfaction as their biggest motivator at work. In a close second, 36% said monetary gain and 14% said career progression.

The research also revealed that what motivates people in the workplace changes with age. For the 18-24-year-olds, career progression is the biggest motivator. However, as age increases, career progression reduces, and job satisfaction becomes much more important. Monetary gain remains constant.

In 2018, many businesses will be reflecting on the successes and challenges of the previous year and what to expect for the year to come. As 2018 strategies come together, employers must look beyond the numbers and consider how to raise, and keep steady, employee satisfaction.

Iain Thomson, Director of Incentives and recognition at Sodexo Engage commented “Proving that job satisfaction becomes increasingly important as people progress through life, even more so than monetary gain, should be a wake-up call for HR teams wanting to attract and retain staff. Motivating employees doesn’t just mean increasing wages – it is so much more than that. Job satisfaction differs from person to person, but it’s all about the feelings of pleasure and achievement an employee gets from doing their job.

“Fortunately for businesses, there are lots of simple and effective ways they can help ramp up job satisfaction, without breaking the bank. From simply recognising someone’s excellent work, to rewarding performance through rewards such as gift cards and cinema tickets. By regularly recognising employees on a personal level, businesses can boost overall satisfaction and the feeling of being valued.”