Job satisfaction at the time of COVID-19

 

Introduction

Researchers have given multiple approaches to Job Satisfaction. Riggio (2000) mentioned that job satisfaction are the feelings and attitude which an individual has about his job, and in the words of Arnold and Feldman(1986),job satisfaction is the amount of positive impact that individuals have for their jobs.

The most prominent theories about job satisfaction include Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory, it is one of the oldest theories of job satisfaction, and was first described by Herzberg (Herzberg et al.,1959). He stressed on the motivator-hygiene factors that would determine the job satisfaction level. Overall effects of these factors would lead to the satisfaction and dissatisfaction of an individual in a working place.

Job satisfaction and positive mindset at work is an extremely important factor in the management of today’s organizations. The enhancement of positive mental health and job satisfaction enables the improvement of the working atmosphere and is connected with a positive impact on employees and the effects of their work tasks. Especially when in times of sudden changes and reorganization caused by important events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to covid 19, from 14 March 2020, many organizations have been forced to completely suspend their business activities. Various restrictions are still in place to reduce the spread of the virus. However, these restrictions also affect organizations and employees. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, working from home has become the norm for millions of workers around the globe.

The change in the way of working, and the additional workloads provide crucial changing situation to the employees. As a result employee anxiety, stress, changes in risk perception, experiencing anxiety of isolation, stigma, and discrimination has increased drastically.

                                            source: HRFututure.net

Stress was caused by new factors such as health and life threats, numerous restrictions and recommendations due to the outbreak of virus, isolation and lack of social support, disturbed work-home balance, lack of adequate physical activity lowering overall stress resistance. It is therefore important to understand the mechanisms supporting positive mental health beyond the safety of the working environment.

Conclusion

One of the aspects that contribute importantly to positive mental health is job satisfaction. As recent studies have recommended job satisfaction is a key indicator for positive mental health at work. Moreover, job satisfaction comes from a subjective comparison by the individual of the actual work situation with the expected one.

 

 

 

References

Arnold, j. & Feldman, C. (1986). Organizational behavior. New York: McGraw Hill Book.

Riggo, R. E. (2000). Introduction to industrial organizational psychology. New Jersey: prentice Hall.

Stangrecka, H. and Bagieńska, A., 2021. The Role of Employee Relations in Shaping Job Satisfaction as an Element Promoting Positive Mental Health at Work in the Era of COVID-19. [online] NCBI. Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7920272/> [Accessed 1 May 2021].