SARAH J. CLARK

When jobs consist of mainly dull repetitive tasks, workers get bored, productivity drops, and morale is low. Many workers leave to find jobs with other employers offering more interesting jobs. Thus, to retain workers, employers are redesigning jobs to make them varied and interesting. In some cases, employees learn each others’ jobs and regularly switch jobs with others. For instance, if one employee has always done Task A, another Task B, and still another Task C, they can shift from one task to another on a scheduled basis. Jobs take on added interest, morale jumps, and coworkers fill in for absentees or pinch hit when needed for other tasks.
Workers may also be given a chance to participate more in making job decisions, providing suggestions, or serving on committees that look for ways to improve work quality When work teams are formed, not only does the quality of work improve but so does the quantity produced. The emphasis in modern firms is on improving job satisfaction through empowering workers and thereby improving the quality of work life. Employees and employers both benefit.