Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS)

The JSS is an information gathering instrument, intended for use in:

• Surveying the motivating potential of existing jobs from the point of view of the employee.
• Establishing the benefits of job redesign.
• Assessing the impact of job redesign on employees.

The JSS is a computer programme designed to score and present information produced by the widely used, and highly respected, Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) developed by Hackman and Oldham at Yale University. The JDS is now used world-wide as a yardstick for the measurement of the effect of job design on employee motivation.

What can JSS information be used for?
The JSS programme provides a source of information on which to base decisions to:

• Improve communication. Providing a feedback mechanism about how working conditions and job design are supporting the company's mission.
• Involve employees. Create a better fit between what people want from work and what they get from work.
• Identify training needs. Improve selection, appraisal and training by knowing where investment is most likely to produce results in motivation both at an individual and company level.
• Introduce and develop Investors in People, Business Excellence initiatives and other quality measures.

What does the JSS programme measure?
The JSS survey measures a range of job characteristics, psychological factors and contextual satisfactions, which are known to affect employee motivation. These individual and group measures are then compared with national and company norms for various occupations.

How are the JSS programme results presented?
Results of the survey are automatically scored and presented in graphical form, providing the following options:

• Individual profiles compared with the national norms.
• Individual profiles compared with the team average for the selected job.
• Team average profiles along side the national norms for selected jobs.
• Supervisors/managers view of the Job (Job Rating Form).

The surveyor can quickly highlight areas for special attention because the variances are easy to identify and understand. The form of presentation enables informed and open discussion to proceed as well as provide a date referenced measure against which future measures can be compared.

The JSS programme is offered as an annual licensed computer-based scoring programme, which includes training, ongoing support, paperwork and a detailed instruction manual.