What Makes Employees Happy at Work? A Happy Life!
By Judy Kneiszel
A study exploring the long-term relationship between job satisfaction and life satisfaction shows that personal happiness leads to a positive work life, not the other way around.
This conclusion by researchers is the opposite of the long-held belief that a happy work life has a stronger influence on one’s personal life.
The findings, published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior, could help employers better understand work-life balance.
Researchers from the U.S., Germany, and Australia looked at data in the study from more than 160,000 people globally. The information showed how job and life satisfaction evolve and affect each other over time.
The study found that individuals with higher life satisfaction were 32 percent more likely to experience an increase in job satisfaction. While job satisfaction does have a positive effect on future life satisfaction, it is comparatively weaker and lessens over time.
Overall well-being increases job satisfaction
One of the authors of the study said the data highlights the vital role of overall personal well-being in professional performance and career fulfillment, adding that organizations focused only on job satisfaction plans may be missing a main component of employee happiness. That component is a focus on employee well-being strategies, including:
- Mental health support,
- Work-life balance policies and programs, and
- Personal development.
Based on the study’s findings, a focus on overall well-being can foster a more engaged and satisfied workforce. As such, the researchers recommended that employers:
- Implement flexible work arrangements to support employees’ personal commitments;
- Encourage mental health and wellness programs to improve overall life satisfaction;
- Provide opportunities for personal and professional growth that extend beyond job-related tasks; and
- Foster a workplace culture that values employees’ lives outside of work.
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