The relationship between working environment and job satisfaction among employees at Sacofa Sdn. Bhd./ Siti Amirah Ismadi

Working environment is one of the important factors determining the employees’ job satisfaction. There are many elements in the working environment but in this study, the researchers investigated working hour, relationship with co-workers and esteem needs. Rigid working hours affected employees’ freedom to do their job, negative relationship in the organization caused toxic environment and low esteem needs restricts employees’ skill development. However, previous studies found less conclusive evidence on the three variables to employees’ job satisfaction. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship of working environment (working hour, relationship with co-workers and esteem needs) and job satisfaction among employees at SACOFA Sdn. Bhd. The study is a correlation research design which applies a quantitative research approach. 80 questionnaires have been distributed to the employees of SACOFA Sdn. Bhd. The result indicated positive, strong and significant correlation between the relationship with co-workers and esteem needs and job satisfaction, meanwhile the correlation between working hour and job satisfaction was positive, low and insignificant. The study concluded that the organization itself should always satisfy the basic needs of their employees, recognizing their needs for achievement and creating positive atmosphere in the organization through constructive criticism and empowerment. This study may benefit society by contributing to the existing knowledge and providing some insights for the
organization to give better services to its employees so that they in return will be more productive to achieve the organizations’ goals.