Many employees reckon that clear job instructions and commendations from their supervisors are the most important non-financial factors related to job satisfaction, according to a survey by the City University of Hong Kong.

They also consider internal pay equity more important than external pay equity and office politics a negative impact on their work.

Recently, the university's department of management interviewed 607 local employees. Clear job expectations and commendations from supervisors rank the two most important non-financial factors contributing to job satisfaction.

As analyzed by associate department head Jenny Lee who conducted the survey, staff want clear job instructions in order not to waste their time and effort. It is their fault if they fail to fulfill the expectations but they do not want to fall victim to unclear job instructions.

As to pay equity, staff would question why their colleagues having the same workload would get a different pay but they seldom compare their salaries to those offered in other companies, she observed.

Ng Chau-pak, president of the Hong Kong Clerical and Professional Employees General Union, agreed that clear job instructions are very important.

Given that many companies have combined job duties in an attempt to save cost, unclear instructions will heighten staff's workload.

He also stressed the importance of equal pay for equal work. Failure to achieve that will affect staff morale and work relationships, he said.

Paul Yin, president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, said it is hard for private companies to achieve pay equity as they do not have an established pay system like the government does.

(HK Edition 05/07/2008 page1)