Job Dissatisfactions in Construction Work

The objective of this study is to understand what job conditions or personal relationships dissatisfy management, field supervision, and workmen. In turn, by removing these sources of dissatisfaction, it should be possible for all to deal more effectively with individuals outside or within their hierarchical levels. Data were collected for 65 in-depth interviews of 1 hr to 5 hr each with management and labor from companies employing carpenters, electricians, plumbers, pipe fitters, and sheet metal workers primarily from St. Louis, Mo., with supplemental interviewing from Los Angeles and San Francisco, Calif. The results indicated that being dissatisfied about a job does not necessarily mean that individuals will reduce their efforts. On the other hand, personal relationships are strained and commumication suffers. It can be concluded that the initial step toward improving personal relationships would be to have management be more sympathetic to field supervisors' problems and provide the support needed to solve them.