Abstract

BOWEN, P; CATTELL, K; MICHELL, K  and  DISTILLER, G. Job satisfaction of South African quantity surveyors: is salary a significant factor?. JCMAN [online]. 2008, vol.5, n.1, pp.13-38. ISSN 1815-7440.

A web-based national questionnaire survey of the opinions of South African quantity surveyors was undertaken to establish differences in job satisfaction on the basis of remuneration. Respondents were grouped into two salary categories, namely, those earning more than R300k per annum, and those earning R300k or less. Issues explored included demographic factors; factors influencing job satisfaction; choice of career; salary, gender and race in the workplace; and salary and harassment and discrimination at work. The relationship between remuneration and job satisfaction was found not to be significant (p=0.32), with salary being given a low rank as a motivating factor. Very few significant differences exist between the two respondent groupings, except with regard to: the perceived importance of remuneration as a motivating factor; opportunities to do challenging and creative work and to participate in creative teams; and the flexibility of employers concerning adherence to statutory minima with respect to maternity and paternity entitlements. Instances of harassment and discrimination (especially racial and gender) at work are not uncommon, although differences between the groups are not significant.

Keywords : Job satisfaction; salary; influencing factors; harassment; discrimination; quantity surveyors; South Africa.

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