Office Space hit theaters in 1999, when Baby Boomers still outnumbered all generations in the workforce, Gen X-ers were amidst their entrepreneurial escapades and most Millennials weren’t even graduated from high school. Now it’s 2015 and Baby Boomers are retiring, Gen X-ers are still the middle men andMillennials make up the majority of the workforce. Though times have changed, the sentiment still remains: careers have a massive effect on someone’s overall happiness and health. Whether it’s a perpetual nagging or simply a case of the Mondays, what does career satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) mean for you and your employees? Allow me to tell you how career happiness influences your health. 

More Stress

Last year, 57% of employees considered their work environment stressful. The same study found that 42% of respondents have left a position in the past solely due to the stress it caused. While a little pressure can cause for speedy and successful work, too much will have employees unproductive and possibly out your doors. Employees report that flex-work and the ability to telework periodically greatly reduces their workplace stress. 

Increased Chance of Chronic Illness

Being in any office, where air, surfaces and refrigerator shelves are shared is invitation for the occasional common cold outbreak, but the office lifestyle can lead to so much more than sniffles. Sedentary office workers are at risk of weight gain and increased chances of multiple chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The research is depressing, but the action being taken isn’t. More and more companies have been inspired to offer standing desks and encourage walk breaks.

Possible Depression

The physical problems that can arise from being unhappy at work are numerous, but pretty easy to grasp. A lot of employees and leaders forget what a job does to mental health. Another challenge is accepting that though you might be working to create a fun, inviting and positive environment, not everyone on the team will be happy. Job satisfaction is more than liking the team members and occasional office party. Some employees will find self-actualization in another industry or line of work. Leaders can benefit most by listening to concerns, suggesting internal opportunities and backing down when there’s just no other choice than to part ways. 

Personal & Professional Drive

Employees will not always love their job, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw in the towel. J.K. Rowling, Howard Schultz and Oprah Winfrey all have something in common: their lives were hard and it was inspiration to be greater. As a leader, it is pivotal that you see an employee’s challenges and help them meet their work values and expectations. Sometimes, this means simply understanding what motivates the individual. For instance, one worker might feel inspired when they see their tasks help the team while another might like to know how their contributions add to the company’s bottom line.

Branding (for Better or for Worse)

Employer branding has a great and far-reaching impact on recruiting, hiring and maintaining a workforce. When employees love their job, they tend to talk about the trait they love most with friends and family. Whether it’s colleagues, leadership, office, benefits or all the above, there is no doubt the positivity will be associated with the company as a brand. A great reputation is something 90% of job seekers will leave their current job to obtain. Simply put, employees are the best brand ambassadors you have and when they’re happy, others take note.

You can be pretty sure that most employees depend on their job to feed and provide shelter for themselves and their family, so tense work relationships, piling deadlines and the new, normal 47 hour work week could lead to a mental breakdown. The occasional bad day or misplaced stapler might not have your team on the brink of quitting, but understanding the individuals in your company and their day to day satisfaction can make a world of difference, not only for theirlives, but for your business. What are you or your management team doing to reduce stress and increase career satisfaction for your organization?

Bio: Ryan Mead

Ryan Mead is the CEO and Founder of Vitru, an employee assessment tool that provides recruiters, hiring professionals, coaches and managers with the insights they need to manage their teams and make better hiring decisions. Powered by science, yet practical and easy to use for a variety of teams, Vitru work for organizations of all size. Want to learn more? Visit our blog or sign up for a freeteam building personality test account to assess your team today! Tweet me at@GoVitru