Do You Work for “Job Satisfaction”...?

DO YOU WORK FOR JOB SATISFACTION...?

Is “Job Satisfaction” a Myth...?

Musings of a Veteran

By  

VIKRAM KARVE 

WHY DO YOU WORK...?

In today’s world – it is naive to assume that people work primarily to achieve professional fulfillment and job satisfaction. 

As a matter of fact – they seem to work because – what they get “on the job” enables them to achieve whatever they want to accomplish “off the job”. 

 

At the lower levels in an organisation people work for survival – but at middle levels – most persons work for their leisure. 

Yes – most people work so that they can enjoy their leisure. 

Think about it.

Don’t we all work so that we can enjoy our leisure? 

You slog 5 days a week – so that you can enjoy the 2 days of weekend that you get off.

Do you work because you enjoy doing the job...? 

Not at all.

You work for the money they pay you – so that – whatever the money that you earn from working – you can use that money to enjoy your leisure – once your basic needs are met. 

I have observed this factor especially in many youngsters working in IT, ITES, BPO and many other industries – who wait for the weekend – to enjoy what they have earned by “toiling” in the “sweatshops” for the entire week. 

Then – they blow up what they have earned during the week having a ball in the weekend.

Some call it “unwinding”

You “wind” yourself up during the week – slogging away doing something you do not enjoy doing.

And then – you “unwind” yourself during the weekend – doing something that you enjoy doing. 

You wind. 

And then – you unwind.

It is like clockwork – as if you are a clock to wind and unwind...!!!

Of course – there a very few lucky persons who seem to have found their metier in their jobs and genuinely enjoy their work.

    

In most cases – on the job – employees have to “produce” – and there is no time for any enjoyment. 

Both Competition and Compensation levels are higher than ever before – and – the chief casualties of this competitive work environment are those traditional so-called motivators like “job satisfaction”.

 

Today – a typical professional may no longer have an undivided loyalty and commitment towards his job. 

Therefore – it is incorrect to believe that an employee’s work life is spent entirely in the pursuit of “job satisfaction”. 

Perhaps – an employee is not actively seeking job satisfaction as much as aspiring towards other important needs and considerations like own career progression, standard of living, quality of life, material gain and personal gratification.

 

For most people their job is a means to achieving their desired ends.

DOES JOB SATISFACTION IMPROVE JOB PERFORMANCE...?

 

One of the typical propositions held by most people connected with Human Resource (HR) Management is that job satisfaction is positively associated with job performance. 

But in actual fact – does Job Satisfaction lead to improved Job Performance...?

Does a “satisfied” employee always “produce” more...?

It may be wrong to presume and take for granted a fictitious linkage between job satisfaction and employee productivity in all cases. 

 

In some cases – you may be shocked to find that while the so-called “job satisfaction” was increasing – the productivity of the individual was declining.

The reason behind this apparent paradox is the mistaken concept that a satisfied employee will devote his dedicated attention to his work.

 

A “satisfied” or “happy” employee may begin to develop an attitude of self-complacency – and – an overall sense of well-being – and – consequently – his temperament may become one of ignorant submission and passivity – rather than one of positive action and active involvement. 

I have observed this behaviour among employees in many organisations – particularly in government and public sector organisations – where employment is secure – and – where seniority is more important than performance in career progression.

As a result – it is not too uncommon to see that the productivity of the employee does not always closely follow his upward satisfaction curve.

 

Another important aspect of this situation is the rate of Constructive Conflict.

If properly used and suggestively applied in the organizational context – the managerial implantation of a limited degree of constructive conflict does indeed shake these smug people and “satisfied” employees out of their lethargy – and enables them to achieve a certain individuality of action. 

Viewed from the perspective of the organization – the key issue is not having satisfied, happy employees – but maximizing productivity – the bottom line being increasing profit and achieving organisational goals. 

 

Yes – that is what the organization has to decide and prioritize – what is more important:

Does the organisation want to pamper  employees or maximize productivity...?

Does the organisation want to help employees in achieving their personal goals or is it more important to achieve organisational goals...? 

Is there a congruence between “Job Satisfaction” and “Job Performance”...? 

Do “satisfied” employees always “produce” more...? 

THE MYTH OF “JOB SATISFACTION”

An individual’s NEED consists of two components:

1. APPETITE 

2. DESIRE

 

With changing value systems – it may be wrong to believe that increased satisfaction means increased motivation as propounded by various conventional theories of motivation (Maslow’s Need Hierarchy, for example). 

Here it is vital to understand that “need” comprises two components: “Appetite” and “Desire”. 

Appetite corresponds to that part of each hierarchical level of need – the non-satisfaction of which can be expected to normally inhibit or deter progress up the hierarchy of needs. 

 

Desire corresponds with the greedy, relatively unjustified part of each hierarchical level of need – the satisfaction of which should not be viewed as necessary prerequisite.

 

With changing values – and – by habit and custom – yesterday’s desires become today’s appetite. 

The effect of extrinsic “motivational techniques” like job satisfaction will eventually be to increase need satisfaction threshold limits and draw more energies towards the satisfaction of desires. 

 
The myth of “job satisfaction” exerts severe pressures upon both the employer and the employee. 

The employer convinces himself that he must provide satisfaction on the job – and the employee rationalizes his behaviour and anticipates satisfaction.

In this two-faceted pressure approach – the entire organization and all stakeholders suffer from unwanted conflicts, unfulfilled expectations, and unkept promises. 

Dear Reader: 

Do you work for “job satisfaction”...? 

Or – do you work to earn money which enables you to have a good quality of life and enables you to enjoy your leisure...? 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

This is an abridged and revised version of one of my early writings on Human Resource (HR) Management. I wrote this article more than 25 years ago, in the year 1992, and I have posted this article online a number of times including at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/human-resource-management-the-myth-of-job-satisfaction_354574_blog  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/07/job-satisfaction-and-motivation-myth.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/07/clockwork-careers-job-satisfaction-myth.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/06/job-satisfaction-paradox.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/02/why-do-you-work-for-money-or-for-job.html etc

Navy Week – A Sailor’s Perspective

Humor in Uniform 

In end September 2017 – I saw a post on a Navy Veterans’ Form about a Navy Week Event – Ships Open to Visitors on 01 and 02 October 2017 as part of Navy Week 2017 activities. 

I was surprised.

Long ago – when I was in the Navy – to the best of my knowledge – Navy Day was observed on the 4^th of December every year to commemorate the daredevil attack by Indian Navy Warships on the Pakistan Navy at Karachi Port on December 4, 1971 (Operation Trident). 

Since then – Navy Day was observed on the 4^th of December every year– and the week in which Navy Day fell was observed as Navy Week.

Yes – the entire week comprising Navy Day was observed as Navy Week – and usually – this was the first week of December. 

This year – in 2017 – Navy Day (the 4^th of December) falls on a Monday – so – as per my calculations – “Navy Week” should have been observed from 3 December to 9 December (or 4 December to 10 December) 2017.

I was therefore confused as to why “Navy Week” Events were being held in the first week of October. 

(In fact – Air Force Day falls on the 8^th of October – so – it may have been apt to observe “Air Force Week”. 

By the way – I know that – like Navy Day – there is an Army Day and Air Force Day 

But I wonder whether Army and Air Force observe “Army Week” and “Air Force Week” – like the Navy does...?)

But – that is besides the point. 

As I told you – I was confused as to why “Navy Week” Events were being held in the first week of October.

Had Navy Week expanded into a few months...?

While “ruminating” on all these thoughts – I rememembered a story I had written on Navy Day and Navy Week a few years ago. 

Dear Reader – here is the story... 

NAVY DAY and NAVY WEEK

(Navy Perspective versus Sailor’s Perspective)

Ramblings of a Retired Navy Veteran

A Fictional Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE

NAVY DAY and NAVY WEEK – The Navy Perspective

Every year – the 4^th of December – is observed as NAVY DAY by the Indian Navy.

In the Indian Navy – the Navy Day celebrations actually extend across the entire week in which the Navy Day falls – and this week is called the NAVY WEEK.

The Navy Week celebrations are held mainly at Mumbai – and on a smaller scale in other Naval Stations like Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Goa etc – and in landlocked New Delhi too.

In Mumbai – the Navy Week Celebrations culminate with “Beating the Retreat” Ceremony at Gateway of India – and the grand finale is the spectacular Navy Ball at the end of the week on Saturday.  

During the Navy Week the Navy tries to showcase its capabilities to the civilian public by holding a series of combat demonstrations, live displays, parade drills and events like band concerts. 

Sometimes – Naval Families, Navy Veterans and prominent civilian citizens are taken out for a day at sea as guests of the Navy to observe “shop window” exercises which demonstrate salient aspects of the Navy at sea.

In a nutshell – as far as the Navy is concerned: 

The Aim of Navy Day and Navy Week is to showcase the Navy to Civilian Citizens (especially Civilian VIPs/VVIPs)

NAVY DAY and NAVY WEEK – A Sailor’s Perspective

This happened around 40 years ago – in the 1970’s.

A few weeks before Navy Week – responsibilities were allocated to various ships. 

Our ship – a frontline warship – was selected to present the “continuity drill” display to be held at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.  

The sailors on our ship started their drill practice one month earlier – and they practised very hard – at least twice a day – even when the ship was sailing at sea.

As Navy Day approached – the sailors rehearsed day and night for the “continuity drill” display to be held at the Gateway of India during Navy Week.

A “continuity drill” is a most precise and difficult parade drill since the entire parade drill sequence and movements are to be performed without any words of command.

That is why it requires rigorous practice and repeated rehearsals before it can be perfected.

The sailors were practising without break for over a month – during working hours – and also in off-working hours – including on Sundays and holidays – in order to perfect the continuity drill.

The sailors’ long hours of painstaking efforts paid off.

The “continuity drill” event was a great success.

The Navy “Top Brass” congratulated our Captain on the excellent performance of our ship’s sailors.

After the event – I came across one of my newly recruited sailors who had taken part in the “continuity drill” event.

I congratulated the young sailor on his performance and I asked him:

“Do you know why Navy Day and Navy Week are celebrated...?” 

The sailor answered nonchalantly: 

“To “impress” the Civilians...” 

“What...?” I asked surprised.

The sailor looked at me and said: 

“Sir – this whole Navy Week Tamasha is just to “impress” Civilian VIPs. 

And – Sir – they make us Sailors slog so much for this Navy Week.

We have been practising this “continuity drill” day and night – even our “shore leave” had been stopped because of Navy Week “Continuity Drill” practice. 

I am so happy the whole Navy Day and Navy Week Tamasha is over...”

At first – I was surprised – and taken aback by the sailor’s answer.

Then – I saw that there was wisdom in what the raw young sailor had said.

The entire Navy – all of us – were slogging away for weeks – to put up a show for civilians.

Yes – we uniformed Navy Officers and Sailors – we were desperately trying to impress civilians – especially Civilian VIPs – the same civilians who frankly did not give a tinker’s damn about us – although they seemed to be enjoying the spectacle we were putting up for them. 

I remember a friend of mine – who was in-charge of organizing Navy Week Activities – heave a sigh of relief once it was all over.

The Naval Officer remarked in disgust: 

“This Navy Week “Tamasha” must be scrapped. 

We screw ourselves for many weeks – to put up a show for these Civilian VIPs – who just don’t care for us...” 

Sometimes – I wonder whether it is worth in putting in so much extra effort to try and impress Civilians who don’t care two hoots about the Navy and Naval Sailors.

I wonder whether Civilians understand the sanctity of Navy Day and similar Military Occasions, Parades, Combat Demonstrations, Ceremonial Events and Displays...?

Or – whether they treat them as spectacular extravaganzas and gala spectacles for entertainment and enjoyment...?

Be that as it may – do spare a thought for our Navy Personnel on Navy Day – and during the Navy Week.

Dear Friends: 

On the the 4^th of December – on the occasion of NAVY DAY – do think of all the Navy Sailors slogging it out on Warships and Submarines guarding the Oceans, Seas and Coastlines – so that you can sleep in peace. 

Rather than the Navy trying to impress Civilians – how about Civilians trying to “impress” our Sailors on Navy Day and during Navy Week...?

WISH YOU HAPPY “NAVY DAY” and “NAVY WEEK” 2017 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

This is a revised version of my story posted online earlier by me Vikram Karve on November 28, 2014 in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve Blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/11/navy-day-and-navy-week-sailors.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/12/navy-day-musings.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/12/navy-day-sailors-perspective.html etc