According to the latest research from Salary.com, 83% of people polled said they are planning to look for a different job this year. At the same time, only 46% said they were unhappy in their jobs. So what’s up – people are “happy” but still looking for a different job. And it not just about making more 
money. Only 16% are looking for higher pay.
Here, from the New York Time’s article – Why You Hate Your Work – are the 4 things employees are looking for:
- Engagement – defined as involvement, passion, enthusiasm and an opportunity for focused effort and energy.
- Renewal – Employees who are allowed to take a break every 90 minutes report a 50% greater capacity to think creatively and a 46% higher level of health and well-being.
- Focus – People don’t like interruptions. Only 20% of the respondents said they were able to focus on one task at a time at work.
- Purpose – Employees who derive “meaning and significance” from their work are more than 3 times as likely to stay with that organization. This variable has the highest single impact of any of the four factors.
The question I have then is how realistic is it to expect all 4 of these from any employer? Could you expect this at Subway, Burger King, General Motors, Apple, Google or Costco? How is the company you work for doing on these 4 factors? If you are an employer, how much beyond a paycheck can you be expected to provide?
Henry Ford once reportedly said, “Why is it every time I ask for a pair of hands, they come with a brain attached?” He lamented the fact that he had to deal with a whole person. I talk to employers who are bending over backward to keep their people, but feel like the expectations are impossible to meet. And with most of us now being “knowledge workers” we can easily move, taking our talents with us.
If you know a recent graduate who is looking for that perfect position – we’ve got The Perfect Gift for Every Graduate.
If you’re one of the thousands looking for different work, what are you hoping to find in the ideal position?
Love this Dan. Honestly, I don’t think any employer can provide all of these things unless they are willing to be very, very flexible. Most aren’t–most look at employees as having a very limited skill set.
As I pursue self-employment–I realize how many times limitations are just lies.
“I can’t” often really means I just haven’t tried hard enough and I’m being lazy.
Jim,
I think you’re right. I’m not sure how an employer could address all of those intangibles.
Those stats are pretty wild but I believe them. I think that’s why I love self-employment so much.
I don’t think it’s too much to ask for all four of those things, but if someone is asking for all four they have to be realistic and focus on companies that embody those attributes (which will generally be very small, and limited niche companies – not such a bad thing). I think Jim is exactly right about the limitations being less “can’t” and more “don’t feel like it”.
Henry Ford recognized the importance of engaging the brain. Now we’ve got to engage the heart. You are right that it’s a tall order. In my field of talent management, we recognize there are best practices in our field just as there are in others. At the end of the day, the best team wins and the good news is that these are all things we can control.
Interesting point! However, just as it is unfair to expect your spouse or friends to make you happy, it is unrealistic and unfair to expect this from an employer. While I am self-employed now, I have worked some tough jobs in the past (sacking groceries in 100 + temps for one). I feel it is my job, not my employer’s, to add engagement, renewal, focus and purpose to whatever task I’ve taken on. It would be great to work in a wonderful atmosphere that provides all these “feel good” aspects but there is a large element of “you get out what you put in” at work too.
Karen – great perspective. Too many people think the employer owes them these additional benefits. I think some companies are trying but it’s pretty tough to figure that out for lots of individual needs.
I agree with Karen, that it’s what you put into the job that gives you satisfaction. Although, Some jobs fit us better than others. I worked in customer service for years, and always thought that was my area where I could be the greatest blessing. I left customer service recently to work in finance. In asking the questions that need to be asked, researching, and assisting other departments, I find a certain amount of personal satisfaction knowing that I can contribute to the big picture without losing myself.
Mary – you are so right. Finding the right job is still a beginning requirement. Then it’s easier to have the emotional and spiritual components feel right as well.