Nearly every aspect of their jobs is less satisfying for U.S. workers compared to a year ago, according to a survey.

For the most part, American workers are more satisfied than ever at work.

In 2023, the overall job satisfaction among U.S. employees increased by 0.4 percentage points from the previous year, according to the Conference Board's annual Job Satisfaction survey. Additionally, 62.7% of respondents reported being content at work in 2022, which is the highest share since the survey began in 1987.

The poll, which collected responses from 1,699 working U.S. adults in November, showed that worker sentiment fell across all 26 subcomponents of job satisfaction.

Allen Schweyer, a principal researcher at the Conference Board who co-authored the report, stated that they were surprised, to say the least, when the group's results showed a decline in job satisfaction overall and for every subcategory, a year after citing them.

The survey's subcategories are contentment with commutes, workplace culture, work-life balance, benefits and time-off policies. The steepest dips were in health, bonus plans, promotion policies, and wages.

The Conference Board reported that U.S. job satisfaction increased steadily for 13 consecutive years in 2023.

The strength of an economy that has avoided recession, except for a brief downturn during the Covid-19 pandemic, is generally reflected in overall job happiness, according to Schweyer. Factors that contribute to job happiness include workers receiving more raises, experiencing more job stability, and receiving more benefits, he says.

Employers should take note of dissatisfaction with specific aspects of the workplace as a potential indication that things may be heading in the opposite direction, according to Schweyer.

A key to work happiness: Flexibility

Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter, states that flexibility has played a crucial role in enhancing employee satisfaction. Remote and hybrid work arrangements have reduced employees' transportation costs and time spent in traffic while promoting work-life balance, according to Pollak.

According to the Conference Board's study, more than 65% of hybrid workers reported overall job satisfaction, which is higher than the 64% of fully remote and 60% of fully in-person workers who expressed the same level of satisfaction.

Since the pandemic, companies have adopted flexible work policies but are now rolling back the enticing signing bonuses, extra vacation days, and pay raises that workers have come to expect, according to Pollak.

The reduced pressure on companies to attract talent with perks and the higher expectations among workers may be contributing to the specific grievances reflected in the survey's subcategory results, she suggests.

Pollak notes that social media has allowed companies to showcase their generous benefits, such as paid child care and job training, which has contributed to the rise of expectations among certain companies.

Knowing that there were alternatives, you might feel grumpy about having to invest in your own training when you're in a place where you've had to do so.

The sentiment gender gap

For the seventh year in a row, women's overall job satisfaction lagged behind men's by 4.5 percentage points, indicating a persistent gender gap in work experience.

Last year, nearly 65% of men expressed satisfaction with their work, while 60% of women did the same.

In 24 out of the 26 subcategories, women were less satisfied than men. The largest disparities were observed in the areas of bonuses, career advancement, and health benefits.

Pollak argues that strict in-office work mandates can hinder women's career advancement and exacerbate frustration, as they disproportionately bear the unpaid caregiving responsibilities compared to men.

She states that the rigidity of certain workplace expectations prevents employees from fully participating and earning less, having a lower chance of promotion, and so on, than they would if the expectations were more flexible.

According to Pollak, leveling the playing field would aid in closing the gender wage gap, as Nobel Prize-winning Harvard economist Claudia Goldin's research suggests.

Job hunting? 'Really take your time'

Dispirited workers may search for a new job in hopes of finding a more fulfilling position, but this doesn't always result in a happy ending.

Since the pandemic began, employees who left their jobs were less satisfied in 2023 than those who remained at their workplace by 5.6 percentage points, according to a poll. Additionally, those who left their jobs were less content in 15 out of the 26 subcomponents.

"Before switching employers, Schweyer advises taking time to consider the decision carefully and not solely basing it on a large offer."

He suggests considering other factors that may contribute to satisfaction, such as "Look at all the other elements of satisfaction."

Nearly 14% of survey respondents who plan to stay at their workplace are displeased, while three-quarters of those who intend to leave their current employer are discontent with their job. The report suggests that people looking to switch jobs are primarily motivated by a desire for better culture and leadership, rather than higher pay.

Pollak argues that the survey's levels of unhappiness are due to "information asymmetry," which can be resolved if companies improve their communication about job expectations to potential employees.

She advises workers to utilize information from the study to enhance their job search by focusing on what is most important to them.

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