Take Home Messages:

Higher levels of job dissatisfaction result in increased psychological and physical health problems, and decreased productivity.

Immigrant workers are more at risk of job dissatisfaction. They tend to work lower paid, more dangerous and undesirable jobs. They often have to overcome language barriers and struggle with discrimination.

To prevent adverse impacts on productivity and lost time, workplaces should:

• Recognise and be aware of immigrant job dissatisfaction;
• Understand why workers are dissatisfied with their jobs and meet workers’ needs;
• Combat discrimination in the workplace;
• Invest in health promotion programs; and
• Interact with an increasingly diverse work force.

In order for interventions aimed at immigrant workers to be effective, non-English language resources may be required.

It is more cost-effective to ‘treat’ job dissatisfaction than the health problems which may result from it.

Why the study matters:

The increased participation of minority immigrant workers has raised occupational health issues. Minority and immigrant workers typically fill lower pay, lower status jobs. They may also encounter prejudice or discrimination based on race and ethnicity. These situations may affect their work experience and overall wellbeing.

Job dissatisfaction affects employees’ psychological and physical well-being. This impacts work productivity and can result in lost time and wages.

What the study involved:

The researchers identified Filipino immigrants from the Filipino American Community Epidemiological Study. Immigrants who were working at the time of data collection were included in this study.

Participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire, which consisted of:

• Rating feelings and emotions in the past 30 days;
• Current status of physical health problems;
• Job dissatisfaction; and
• Socioeconomic status (years of education, personal income level, industry job category).

Summary of study findings:

The researchers found that nearly 10% of participants reported being dissatisfied with their jobs.

Those dissatisfied reported more:

• Adverse health conditions; and
• Psychological distress.

They were also:

• Younger;
• Of lower socioeconomic status;
• Native language speaking; and
• Less likely to have immigrated for work reasons.

Immigrant workers often encounter circumstances that limit job opportunity. These are commonly language barriers, discrimination and relevant documentation.

The researchers believe that workplaces need to:

• Recognise and be aware of job dissatisfaction;
• Understand why workers are dissatisfied with their jobs and meet workers’ needs;
• Invest in health promotion programs; and
• Interact with an increasingly diverse work force.

Original research:

Relationship between job dissatisfaction and physical and psychological health among Filipino immigrants

de Castro AB, Gee GC, Takeuchi D.

AAOHN J. 2008 Jan;56(1):33-40.

Link to PubMed abstract