Introduction to measuring job satisfaction

Anonymous self-report employee questionnaires are the usual method for measuring job satisfaction.

The Job Descriptive Index (JDI)

The Job Descriptive Index (JDI) is a 72-item questionnaire developed by Smith et al. (1969) assessing five dimensions representing job satisfaction. Questions are descriptive and answered using a three-point scale: Yes, No, or Undecided (marked as ?). After testing, each word is given a numerical value that reflects how well it describes job satisfaction.

Key dimensions of the JDI

The JDI measures satisfaction across five main areas:

• The work itself
• Satisfaction with level of supervision
• Salary/pay
• Satisfaction with co-workers
• Opportunities for promotion

Scoring system in the JDI

• Positive items - 'Yes' scores 3, '?' scores 1, 'No' scores 0.
• Negative items - 'Yes' scores 0, '?' scores 1, 'No' scores 3.

The higher the score on the dimension, the more job satisfaction there is.

The Quality of Working Life (QWL) framework

The Quality of Working Life (QWL) framework was proposed by Walton (1973), who argued that no matter the occupation, most employees are dissatisfied at work.

Dimensions of QWL

Walton outlined these eight dimensions:

1. Adequate and fair compensation – salary
2. Safe and healthy working conditions
3. Opportunity to use and develop human capacity – autonomy and chance to use skills
4. Opportunities for growth and security – promotion chances
5. Social integration in the work organisation – sense of belonging
6. Constitutionalism in the work organisation – right to expression and equal treatment
7. Work and total life space – late work or travel away from family
8. Social relevance of work life – social responsibility of organisation

The QWL evaluation scale

To make Walton's framework practical, Timossi et al. (2008) developed a scale to measure each dimension by simplifying the original terms into a standardised questionnaire with a five-point rating scale.

Example question from the QWL evaluation scale

This example focuses on the compensation dimension:

Question: How satisfied are you with your salary (remuneration)?

Methodological issues in measuring job satisfaction

Strengths of rating scales and questionnaires

• Quantitative data - JDI and QWL evaluation scales are types of psychometric tests that generate objective quantitative data, increasing the reliability.
• Reliability - JDI and QWL evaluation scales are standardised questionnaires, increasing replicability and thus reliability.

Weaknesses of rating scales and questionnaires

• Validity - JDI and QWL evaluation scales are self-report questionnaires using forced-choice answers. Social desirability or anxiety may lower the validity of the data.
• Usefulness - Perceptions of what is fair and adequate treatment at work may vary depending on workers' personal situations, not just their work situations. This reduces the usefulness of the JDI and QWL scales.