This research examined 44 aspects of job satisfaction and 38 factors directly related to employee engagement. Among the topics explored are career development, relationships with management, compensation and benefits, work environment, engagement opinions, engagement behaviors, and conditions for engagement. This executive summary discusses the leading job satisfaction contributors, their degrees of importance and satisfaction, and implications and recommendations for improvement.
Key findings include:
- Job satisfaction and employee engagement levels remain high; 89% of U.S. employees reported being somewhat or very satisfied with their current job role and an employee engagement index of 3.9 indicates a moderately engaged workforce.
- For the third year in a row, the largest percentage of respondents have indicated that respectful treatment of all employees at all levels was a very important contributor to their job satisfaction. This aspect also reflected several differences among various demographics in the workplace.
- Trust between employees and senior management is gaining importance; this aspect increased by 6 percentage points compared with percentages in 2015.
- Compensation displayed the largest discrepancy between importance and satisfaction with 35 percentage points. One reason may be the nine percentage point drop in the amount of workers receiving bonuses in the year prior. However, the number of raises given to employees was consistent with previous years.
- Although job satisfaction and employee engagement levels are relatively high, two out of five employees (40%) expressed, to some degree, the possibility of seeking employment outside their organization within the next year. Not surprisingly, the leading reason for workers to stay at or leave an organization was compensation/pay.
