Job Satisfaction of Generations X and Y

The study was conducted in two stages: in June 2015 and in November 2017 – at the enterprises of various forms of ownership in Podlaskie North-Eastern region of Poland. At the first stage, based on the method of quantitative research we used PAPI (Paper and Pencil Interview) method for data collection through random selection of respondents. First, a random sample was used among working students of Politechnika Bialostocka (Bialystok Technical University) as representatives of generation Y to ensure the internal accuracy of the research and representative sampling. Then the "snowball" technique was used, which helped cover respondents of appropriate age, that is, those who meet the criteria of generation X. In general, the survey was addressed to 256 respondents, who gave back 102 filled questionnaires with answers to the questions. The second stage of the research included structured in-depth interviews with the representatives of both generations to clarify the information obtained during the quantitative study. Surveys were conducted among 20 representatives of generation X and 20 representatives of generation Y. The respondents were selected by random non-repeated sampling. The respondents were people who were different from those who participated in quantitative research. The use of a mixed approach in the research, using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, helps better understand the problem under review and provides a higher confidence level in the results obtained than the use of a single method.

The surveyed enterprises of Podlaskie region by the number of surveyed employees were distributed as follows: 58% – small (less than 50 employees); 17% – medium (less than 250 employees); the rest – 25% – large enterprises (250 or more employees). Half of the surveyed enterprises (51%) were engaged in provision of services, a third (35%) – in production, the rest (14%) had a mixed profile.

The distribution of enterprises by profile and number of employees helped obtain a fairly complete image of perception of importance of certain factors in job satisfaction among workers of different generations. The respondents were employees of various professional groups of surveyed companies selected through random non-repeated sampling. Table 2 shows the characteristics of respondents.

Table 2. Characteristics of respondents (N= 142, % of respondents)

The majority of respondents of generation Y have little professional experience (53%) – from 1 to 5 years and at least secondary education (58%). A significant share of people work under an employment agreement (60%), including open-term and fixed-term.

The purpose of the research was to identify significant organizational factors affecting job satisfaction for the representatives of generation X and Y.

Based on analysis of the scientific literature, 20 factors affecting job satisfaction were identified, relating to management techniques (e.g. management style, work environment, correct assessment); working conditions (stability of employment, flexibility, fair remuneration system); management tools applied (promotion and training opportunities) and relations with managers and colleagues. The respondents were to assess the importance of these factors in terms of satisfaction on a five-point scale, where 5 – very high satisfaction, 1 – very low).