At one point or another, we all have or will experience some form of job dissatisfaction. Whether you are not seeing eye to eye with your boss or experiencing frustration with a certain project, you are not alone. In fact, more than 50% of the United States employees find themselves in similar situations. The secret is knowing how to overcome these issues appropriately.

Job dissatisfaction can cause physical and mental health problems such as insomnia, excessive worrying, and even depression. Fortunately, finding a solution may be easier than you think. In this post, we explain the common causes of job dissatisfaction and potential ways to overcome them.

1. Career Growth and Advancement

Every employee wishes to see growth and advancement in their career. The opportunity to move up the ladder is motivating and can help significantly improve an employee’s performance.

If you are experiencing limited career growth, let your boss know that you would like to be included in the organization's long-term plans. Start by setting clear and specific goals you wish to accomplish to reach the next level. Once you have these, set up a meeting with your supervisor to request their feedback. Ensure you follow up with your boss consistently to track your progress.

2. Work/Life Balance

An organization that understands the balance between work and home life is crucial. Taking lunch breaks and holiday allocations in full can help employees stay happy, refreshed, and productive.

However, not everyone is the same. Each employee must determine what work/life balance means to them. Then, they must plan how to achieve this while continuing to be productive at work.

3. Supervisor's Support

Having a supportive boss plays a significant role in your job satisfaction. Unfortunately, not all managers have their employees’ best interests at heart. Some supervisors tend to be more concerned about the bottom line and may fail to give enough attention to people who directly impact them.

A manager who is more engaging and supportive offers their employees inspiration, appreciation, and motivation. If they lack the guidance you desire, be proactive and ask for a meeting with your boss to discuss your performance. It is important to be transparent about your feelings and describe how your boss can best support you.

4. Culture and Workplace Environment

Employees spend a substantial amount of their time at work. With this in mind, organizations must promote a positive environment and culture for the job to be fulfilling. Organizations can take action by organizing regular team lunches, team-building activities, and work parties to foster positive relationships among colleagues.

If you feel there is hope for improvement in work culture, you can wait for the situation to improve. But if there is no change, it may be time to update your resume and begin your job search.

5. Incentive or Compensation

Employees desire compensation and incentives that match their level of work. The feeling of being compensated fairly can increase satisfaction and the production of quality work.

If you feel your pay is below what you deserve, it is crucial that you first do your research to establish if this is true. Once you are through with the research and have comprehensive information on salary guidelines, find a time to meet with your supervisor. In this meeting, you can request their feedback on a possible pay raise.

6. Challenging Tasks

The tasks you perform can play a significant role in determining whether you will find satisfaction in your job. When you do meaningful tasks, you are likely to become more inspired and motivated, increasing your productivity.

Employees want to feel that they contribute to a company in a meaningful way but also have interest in their tasks. You may find that the tasks you are performing are not challenging enough at some point in your career. If this happens, ask your supervisor if there are any new or additional duties you can take on.

The Bottom Line

Take action to make your job fulfilling! Start a conversation with your supervisor to discover ways the company can help increase your level of job satisfaction. If you have any questions, please contact us. You can also learn more about our staffing services or view our current opportunities.