An uncertain work environment contributed to job
dissatisfaction. Several respondents replied they were laid
off from full-time positions and now are relegated to being
contractors due to staff cutbacks. Other respondents cited
the familiar refrains of having too much to do and deadline
pressures. Still others noted poor funding for projects and
outsourcing of jobs to offshore locations.
Another 14. 6 percent cited long hours as their
predominant reason for job dissatisfaction. But
the biggest obstacle for job satisfaction was poor
management ( 18. 11 percent), which is noted from
some of the individual responses contributed to other
career dissatisfaction issues, such as inadequate staffing
and unclear career growth.
Strong management is considered crucial to the
success of any business. Unfortunately, respondents did
not hold management in high esteem. While one-third
of respondents (33.86 percent) said management was
somewhat responsive, a quarter ( 25. 13 percent) said
management needed to be more responsive.
The last point bears attention. Engineers are highly
educated, and often need to undergo additional
training or coursework to keep up with rapid changes
in technology. Giving engineers the proper tools and
support to prosper in their careers is not only a key
to their happiness, but a good investment for their
employers trying to develop the best new products
and technologies. ECN
