A Canadian Study on Work Place Satisfaction in the Private and Public Sector

A quality workplace employs satisfied employees and satisfied employees are the best people to define the characteristics of a good quality job. This research has revealed, yet again, that the smaller the establishment at which Canadians work, the more satisfied they tend to be, reflecting the high quality of workplace practices and opportunities found at smaller businesses. Smaller business employers are also better able to openly communicate with their employees and are more effective at building trust at the workplace.

Wages and non-wage benefits (i.e. amount of time off, health insurance) have relatively little influence on a worker's overall level of satisfaction with their workplace. It is really the more abstract features, such as interpersonal relations, work ethic and personal growth opportunities, that are much more influential in determining one's level of job satisfaction. It is precisely these more intangible workplace aspects that tend to be the most satisfying among small business employees, employers and the self-employed, but are among the least satisfying workplace aspects for larger business and public sector employees.

Finally, the research revealed that it is really a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors that shapes an individual employee's level of job satisfaction. Understanding that job satisfaction is an individual opinion, and therefore dynamically evolving, is key when motivating employees. What may be important at a certain stage of life, maybe different at another. Constantly trying to improve interpersonal relations and attempting to build a work environment of mutual respect is a much more difficult but effective means of enhancing job quality than simply providing moderate annual wage increases or a few extra days off. http://www.cfib.ca/research/reports/aspects_e.asp