Here is an interesting question for all those who have to go to work today: Do you love working at your current workplace? Do you enjoy the position you hold at your organisation? What are your thoughts on your organisation? Let me simplify these questions even further. Do you like going to work?

These are all questions that demand serious thought and introspection, and the answers will vary according to the individuals and their circumstances—from getting that job and the current status they hold at work. But interestingly, and I guess, unfortunately, we do hear a common answer from many individuals about whether they like their job or not. And the resounding answer (almost always) is ‘No’ or ‘Not really’. Why is that? Why do we see a lot of working professionals dissatisfied with their jobs? Dissatisfaction often is one of the leading causes of work-related stress and burnout, which may lead to depression, anxiety and a myriad of other mental health problems.

Theoretically, the answer to the question is very simple. The amount of control or freedom an individual can exercise and the demands or requirements of the job play an important role in how they feel at work. This, coupled with the rewards provided and the support system they have, directly correlates with their satisfaction. However, understanding why dissatisfaction occurs is a much more complex process, and several personal dynamics also come into play here.

First of all, dissatisfaction towards a job is purely subjective as two individuals may have completely different feelings towards work of similar nature, and even if they feel dissatisfied, the degree will vary. Though the type, nature and demand of work differ accordingly, few things are usually tied synonymously to an employee's job satisfaction.

Incentives provided usually play a huge role. Extrinsic incentives like salary, praise, appreciation, and recognition for the tasks accomplished can motivate an employee. Think about your scenario. Why do you have a job? Is it just for the sake of the salary or something else? And what extra would you want from work?

There’s also the aspect of demand. If the work requires that you put a lot of effort in it with constant time pressure, a huge amount of responsibilities, lack of freedom and flexibility, it leads to poor work-life balance. Moreover, the poor reward for the job accumulates in the employee being dissatisfied.

The type of work culture the organisation has is equally important. This is an often overlooked aspect as most likely assume that having decent incentives ensures the employee is satisfied, but the work culture is very important. We often fail to understand that there will always be tasks to get done. That is unavoidable, but a toxic work culture where everyone is not treated equally, one is afraid to make errors, or even ask your colleagues if you don't understand something speaks volumes. All of these tie into the expectation an individual has of the company. Individuals hope that their company can meet certain expectations but are often disappointed when they face reality. It is vital that an individual can enjoy being at the workplace and look forward to contributing towards the company's goals.

It may sound difficult (particularly in this economic climate), but it is possible to keep employees satisfied and ensure that they work towards company goals. Yes, having a positive work culture is essential. Nobody wants to work at a place where an employee is belittled and exhausted all the time. Of course not. Sure, the incentives provided for the job matter. Whether or not an individual feels fulfilled at their workplace also influences how satisfied they feel. However, one aspect we often ignore is respect. The desire for respect is one of those deeply rooted emotions all individuals carry. We often see or know individuals who have left their jobs because they felt they were being disrespected. This feeling is even more prevalent in young adults who would rather take a pay cut and have an enjoyable workplace where they are respected than where they are paid a high salary. What would you yourself choose here?

By ensuring that you have happy employees, only good things can happen. From higher productivity to fruitful turnover, a positive workplace culture ensures the growth and development of the company in the future.

However, this is where the issue of dissatisfaction arises from. Many employees feel they are just a number for the organisation and can be replaced anytime soon. This topic is such a delicate matter to discuss that this is something that can’t be addressed casually. Though the answer to this seems simple, not many workplaces have been able to achieve it. It is essential to make employees feel they are part of the organisation and contributing to something good. If we look at someone as just an individual who is there to work, then we are not looking at the their full potential to learn and grow. We have to believe that they can solve the issues they are presented with and make improvements. So, think about how you view your colleagues at the workplace. That’s where the conversation starts.

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Tandukar is the organisational psychologist at Happy Minds, a mental health and well-being platform.