Do better workplace environmental conditions improve job satisfaction?

Abstract

Using data from the Sixth European Working Conditions Survey collected in 2015 we estimate the contribution of workplace environmental factors to the job satisfaction of about 44,000 Europeans from 35 countries. Our analysis shows that environmental conditions play an important role in explaining job satisfaction, comparable to contract conditions such as pay increases and contract duration. Interestingly, these results are not driven by the perception of health or safety risks associated with worse environmental conditions. Highlights: Safe and healthful working conditions are not only required by law but may also be smart business. Poor environmental conditions at the workplace are negatively associated with job satisfaction. Vibrations and low temperatures are factors most strongly related to job satisfaction. Environmental factors are linked to job satisfaction and to perception of health or safety risks. Workplace "climate" has a significant positive impact on job satisfaction.

Comparing working conditions and job satisfaction in hospitality workers across Europe

“…Parent-Thirion et al (2016) developed their Job Quality Index (JQI) from seven variables (earnings, prospect, social environment, physical environment, work intensity, skills and discretion, and work time quality) that are related to the multidimensional nature of work. The JQI has been considered for the present investigation because it is comprehensive in coverage, transparent in method, and widely employed in the research on job satisfaction and the quality of work in the European context (e.g., Erro-Garcés and Ferreira, 2019 ; Punzo et al, 2018 ; Soriano et al, 2018 ). It is the basis for the development of the sixth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) which, according to Grimshaw et al (2017) , yields solid and reliable information.…”

Determinants of job satisfaction in a transport company: a Polish case study

“…Job satisfaction is one of the central areas of social research (Abdelmoteleb, 2019;Ashraf, 2019;Dhamija et al, 2019;Erro-Garces & Ferreira, 2019;Garcia et al, 2019;Magnier-Watanabeet al, 2019;Mahmood et al, 2019;Reçica & Doğan, 2019;Wu et al, 2019;Stater & Stater, 2009). At the root of this interest lies the premise that the phenomenon of job satisfaction can help explain the essence and dynamics of the potential of individuals and groups working in organizations, and thereby provide, among other things, valuable guidance for people management practices with a view to supporting more effective functioning of an individual within the organization, and potentially contributing to a better understanding of the individual's wellbeing bordering his or her professional and personal life (Chrupała-Pniak, 2012, pp.…”

Challenges for Workplace Risk Assessment in Home Offices—Results from a Qualitative Descriptive Study on Working Life during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latvia

“…In addition, environmental factors (e.g., lighting, temperature, humidity, air quality, noise, ergonomics, etc.) could be a problem in home offices and reduce job satisfaction, and this situation can be better addressed by the worker only if he/she has sufficient knowledge [12,13]. The problems related to ergonomics in teleworkplaces are deepened by the fact that at the individual level many workers are less likely to receive sufficient training on ergonomics while working at home, therefore in addition to the lack of suitable equipment and furniture, teleworkers also lack knowledge on how to arrange ergonomic workplaces from the available items [14].…”