OfficeTeam Survey: Work/Life Balance, Learning Opportunities Have Greatest Impact on Job Satisfaction

MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Want to know the way to an employee's heart? Professionals interviewed by OfficeTeam identified work/life balance (28 percent) and opportunities to learn and grow (27 percent) as the top contributors to their job satisfaction. The results are in line with those from a similar survey in which managers were asked about the factors most tied to employee morale.

The surveys of professionals and managers were developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. They were conducted by an independent research firm and include responses from 404 workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments and 1,013 senior managers at companies with 20 or more employees.  

Workers were asked, "Aside from salary, which one of the following aspects of your job is most tied to your satisfaction?" Their responses:

Work/life balance.............................................................   28%
Opportunities to learn and grow.......................................   27%
Ability to accomplish goals..................................................   20%
Camaraderie with coworkers................................................   13%
A good working relationship with the boss.............................   11%
Don't know.........................................................................     1%
                                                                                           100%

The survey of workers also revealed differences by age: Respondents between the ages of 35 and 44 were most concerned with work/life balance (46 percent), and those between the ages of 18 and 34 indicated the greatest interest in opportunities to learn and grow (37 percent).

"Professional priorities change over time," said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. "Because there's no one-size-fits-all formula for encouraging job satisfaction, supervisors should get to know their team members individually to better understand what motivates and inspires each of them."  

Everyone appreciates the ability to successfully juggle business and personal obligations, Hosking noted. OfficeTeam offers five tips managers can use to help their teams achieve work/life balance:   

1. Be flexible. If it's practical for your business, offer alternative work arrangements such as modified schedules or job sharing. 
2. Reduce their commute. Give personnel whose jobs can be done remotely the option of working from home one or more days a week.
3. Watch the clock. Avoid contacting staff outside of office hours unless the matter is urgent and cannot wait until the next business day.
4. Take a breather. Remind workers to take breaks and vacations. Set a good example by doing so yourself.
5. Bring in reinforcements. Encourage employees to seek help when they are overwhelmed with projects. Use temporary professionals, when necessary, to alleviate workloads.

About OfficeTeam

OfficeTeam is the nation's leading staffing service specializing in the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals. The company has 315 locations worldwide and offers online job search services at www.officeteam.com. 

SOURCE OfficeTeam