5 Tips to Improve Job Satisfaction to Reduce Workplace Injuries

How often do we focus on the job satisfaction of our employees? How satisfied are you in the work that you perform? It has been estimated that 52% of Americans are unsatisfied with their job. Satisfaction from work could come in many different factors: completion of a project, given input, work is rewarding, etc. But, it should come as no surprise, an increase in job satisfaction decreases workplace injuries. This job satisfaction–safety link is strongly supported by research. In fact, research has shown that job satisfaction differentiated significantly between injured and non-injured workers. Therefore, we have provided tips below to improve satisfaction.

Tips to Improve Job Satisfaction to Reduce Injuries:
1)Invest in your Workforce: Job satisfaction is enhanced when employees believe that the organization is investing in them (through training and schooling).

2)Engagement: Boredom can provoke unsafe working practices by employees engaging in risk-seeking behavior. Make sure the work is engaging and not monotonous.

3)Job Autonomy: Through investment and engagement, allow your co-workers to make decisions in their task. This flexibility allows them to break out the monotonous routine.

4)Establish Roles: Role ambiguity, which would limit the extent to which employees understand fully what is required by the job, was found to be associated with reported injuries.
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5)Participative Management Style: This was the best predictor of the extent to which employees were proactively involved in their own safety as opposed to merely complying with external safety regulations. Simple enough, listen to the opinions and concerns of your co-workers and make changes based upon their demands.