Most of us can say that at some point we worked at a job that we were not content at, and in which we experienced at least some level of dissatisfaction – whether because we felt mistreated, unfulfilled, unappreciated, or any other reason. These feelings shape the decisions people make regarding their jobs, and whether they want to stay on or leave.
Job satisfaction is a crucial element – in the right job, people can feel incredibly fulfilled; and it can inject more meaning in their lives. However, in cases where job satisfaction is not present, people will often opt to leave the company.
So, what can companies do in order to address job dissatisfaction and retain their employees? The answer is a relatively simple one – listen to them.
An economic theory, originally proposed by Albert Hirschman in 1970, states that when employees are dissatisfied, they tend to do 1 of 2 things – leave the company, or voice their concerns and try to have them addressed. In situations where employees choose to voice their concerns, but those concerns go ignored, companies cannot expect to be able to retain their employees.
It’s important for people to feel like their voice is heard. This can be accomplished by asking for feedback from the company workforce. Provide them with opportunities to honestly convey what they are thinking, and state what is or isn’t working for them.
Recent studies show that asking workers to express their opinions and give their feedback results in a higher rate of retention for the company; and, in fact, improves the quality of their work. Providing people with a voice and platform on which to be heard is a simple, but effective way to keep your best employees from leaving.
