The quest for meaning, a need that has become essential, especially since the beginning of the Covid crisis. On the occasion of the Quality of Life at Work Week, which takes place from June 20th to 24th, MyHappy Job by Moodwork has published a survey on the quest for meaning in the work of French employees.
Is giving meaning to the work of its employees the key to improving their well-being in their professions? As part of the Quality of Life at Work Week, which takes place from June 20th to 24th, MyHappy Job by Moodwork has published a survey dedicated to the subject of meaning at work (survey methodology below).
The survey shows that while 82% of respondents consider their work to be very important to them, only 52% find it to be highly meaningful (a figure that rises to 57% for managers and 83% for executives). A quarter (25%) even consider their work to be weakly meaningful.
"Considering work as something important, but not finding meaning in the work we do leads to what is called cognitive dissonance. And this state is not without consequences on health, explains Margaux Gelin, a doctor in cognitive psychology at Moodwork. The negative consequences can quickly be felt and we can observe an increase in absenteeism, disaffection, inattention, conflicts, minimalism... It is therefore essential not to overlook the effects of a lack of meaning," she continues.
Meaning at work, a motivating factor
But what does it mean to find meaning in one's work? To this question, the participants in the survey answer that meaning in their work gives them desire and motivation (15% of respondents), satisfaction (14%) and happiness (14%). On the contrary, work that lacks meaning is a source of loss of motivation (15%), boredom (11%) and a feeling of uselessness (11%).
The survey also highlights another interesting piece of information: the stress level of employees according to the meaning of their work. Unsurprisingly, the less meaningful the respondents say they find their work, the higher their stress levels. In fact, employees whose work is not very meaningful have a higher level of stress than those whose work is moderately meaningful, who themselves have a higher level of stress than those whose work is very meaningful.
Feeling useful
To find real meaning in their daily work, respondents put forward one main point: having an impact and being useful (20%). This is followed by team spirit and cohesion (8%), then recognition (7%). Other factors put forward: finding one's work interesting (24.6%), having a useful job for society (13.2%) and improving one's skills (10.1%).
Salary level and job security came in much lower. "Far from saying that these two elements are not essential in one's professional life and professional balance, but our survey shows that the meaning would be more attached to the impact of our activity, the relationships maintained or the possibilities of evolution. So, even if financial security is often put forward to attract new talent for example, it is not the factor that will give the most meaning to the activity," comments Clément Poirier, PhD in psychology and head of the Moodwork research center.
Finally, it is important to note that for 41% of respondents, the health crisis has had a positive impact on the meaning they give to their work.
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