The HR Dictionary

Job Dissatisfaction

When an employee does not feel satisfied in their current position, it is called job dissatisfaction. When their expectations aren't satisfied, an employee develops an unfavorable opinion of the company and loses interest in and motivation for their work.

Causes for Job Dissatisfaction

There are several causes of dissatisfaction. However, confronting probable sources and taking preventive action, can completely circumvent the issue. Some causes for job dissatisfaction can include:

  • Being underpaid
  • Lack of appreciation
  • Work-life balance
  • Inefficient management
  • Limited growth prospects
  • Workplace relationships

Signs of Job Dissatisfaction

Job dissatisfaction is characterized by five basic indicators. Employers can better measure the amount of workplace unhappiness and implement the necessary changes by recognizing them early.

  • Lack of interest - Lack of interest is one of the first indications of job dissatisfaction, which can progressively get worse over time and have an impact on work output.
  • Procrastination - A disengaged or dissatisfied employee may show early signs of procrastination leaving tasks unfinished until the last moment.
  • Irritability - Professions can be difficult, and if workers are continuously stressed out and angry, it will only make them feel worse about their jobs.
  • Absenteeism - One of the telltale signs of job dissatisfaction is absenteeism. A committed employee would never skip work consistently while dissatisfied employees lack the initiative to show up for work.
  • Effort - A lack of effort is another sign of dissatisfaction. A committed employee would make sure to go that extra mile in getting the job done. Whereas a dissatisfied employee would leave everything as is.

With OrangeHRM, you will be able to monitor your employee progress with the powerful features at your disposal. The Performance management module can be used in identifying disengaged employees through conducting 360 degree reviews, and the Time Tracking module allows organizations to identify how many hours the employees are putting into the work assigned to them to identify disengaged employees. With the Leave management module an organization can track what their leave numbers are like and show employees who are constantly taking leave, a tell-tale sign of job dissatisfaction. The Disciplinary Tracking feature can show the employees who are late for work, taken leave without consent, etc. which are all boiling down to dissatisfaction. While the system identifies symptoms early on it can also provide means to avoid job dissatisfaction. The OrangeBuzz provides an internal social media platform where all employees can interact with each other, share their work achievements and giving praise to others. By utilizing the Culture module, organizations can help their employees grow using the Training or Career Development features (career progression and lack of training are the most common factors contributing to dissatisfaction!) which are designed to help employees progress in their careers.