The current working climate has been fraught with a growing number of challenges and difficulties for workers, causing employees to take more time to evaluate and assess their lifestyles. This period of reflection has caused many to search for a greater level of fulfilment when it comes to their work, resulting in companies seeing substantial levels of disengagement among their staff.
A global workspace report found that 19% of global employees are actively disengaged with their current job, with Europe being the region with the deepest levels of career dissatisfaction. This not only negatively affects working professionals, but also has an adverse effect on their employers. In fact, research into how employee satisfaction reflects on company performance shows that there is a strong link between a satisfied workforce and the financial performance of a company. Therefore, employers need to ensure that they are meeting their staff’s basic needs by examining the driving forces behind career satisfaction, like helping their teams achieve a better work-life balance.
Work-life balance plays a pivotal role when it comes to professionals feeling satisfied in their careers. A study of over 32,000 European employees across 30 countries found that those who had poor work-life balance were twice as likely to report health problems and were more likely to suffer from stress, fatigue, impaired health, and were at a greater risk of substance misuse. An improved level of work-life balance can both positively impact an individual’s health and wellness, while also contributing toward a more productive corporate workforce.
While work-life balance stands out as a major contributor to job satisfaction, other factors may enhance professional fulfilment. Feeling engaged with a job, performing well in a chosen field, helping individuals beyond the corporate setting, and having a good relationship with colleagues are all factors that help enhance an employee’s feeling of satisfaction.
