Are you happy with your job? The answer may depend on the day — or even the time of day. According to Howard Weiss, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at Purdue University, job satisfaction isn’t as stable as many think. Instead, it fluctuates constantly.
Weiss conducted a study with 24 managers from a Midwestern office, asking them to complete mood surveys four times a day for 16 days. He also periodically checked in on their overall job satisfaction. The results showed significant changes in their moods and attitudes throughout the study, which was reported in the journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.
Two key factors explain these fluctuations: first, people’s “affect intensity,” or how intensely they experience emotions. Managers with higher affect intensity reported more dramatic changes in their feelings about work.
The second factor is the nature of the workplace itself. Weiss notes that the emotional climate of a company — shaped by events like downsizing or mergers — can deeply affect employees. These emotional shifts can hinder critical aspects of work, including judgment, creativity, and risk-taking, which are essential for productivity.
So next time you’re asked how you feel about your job, keep in mind your answer might change — and it could be different by the hour.
Related topics:
