Explain what is meant by 'job satisfaction'.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-2] (a) Award 1 mark for a basic explanation of the term/concept. Award 2 marks for a detailed explanation of the term/concept. For example: This is how an employee feels about their job (1). If they feel content with all aspects of their work including the conditions, hours, type of work done, supervision, responsibilities, etc. (1). Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
2. [1-4] (b) Award 1-2 marks for a basic answer with some understanding of the topic area. Award 3-4 marks for a detailed answer with clear understanding of the topic area. For example: Used to assess feelings employees have towards jobs, colleagues, and company (1) informing how these feelings affect organisational growth and profitability (1). Answered the questionnaire on the basis of the last 2 weeks (1). Eight key components analysed (1) including range of factors assessed including job security (1), reward systems (1), pay levels, and opportunity for growth. Uses a Likert scale (1). Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
3. [6] (c) Discussion points could include: All give quantitative data, so easy to complete and make comparisons between groups of workers/individuals.
4. [6] (c) Problems of social desirability bias. Language issue in QWL so inaccessible to some employees. Problems of acquiescence bias with Likert scale. Concern about job future if participants answer 'wrongly'.
5. [6] (c) Holistic approach as questionnaires ask a number of questions about different areas of work that could affect job satisfaction.
6. [6] (c) Social desirability as the employee may want their employer to think they are satisfied with their job in order to avoid 'getting into trouble'.
7. [6] (c) Reliability - as MSQ and JDI are self-report measures these can be replicated.
8. [6] (c) Validity - Both test a wide variety of measures of satisfaction at work and are more likely to be valid.
9. [6] (c) Practical applications to the organisation as can be used to measure satisfaction of various workers to make comparisons. Could be used after changes have been made to an organisation to improve satisfaction to compare the scores to see if the change has worked and satisfaction has increased.
10. [5-6] (c) Level 3 (5–6 marks): Candidates will show a clear understanding of the question and will discuss at least two points regarding self-reports. Candidates will provide a good explanation with clear detail.
11. [3-4] (c) Level 2 (3-4 marks): Candidates will show an understanding of the question and will discuss one point about self-reports in detail or two or more in less detail. Candidates will provide a good explanation.
12. [1-2] (c) Level 1 (1-2 marks): Candidates will show a basic understanding of the question and will attempt a discussion. Candidates will provide a limited explanation.
13. [0] (c) Level 0 (0 marks): No response worthy of credit. Other appropriate responses should also be credited.