Factors influencing employee satisfaction in the police service: the case of Slovenia

Purpose - The paper has two purposes first, to examine the dimensionality of employee satisfaction and, second, to identify the impact of the groups of factors on employee satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach - The measurement of satisfaction of all employees in the Slovenian Police based on the comprehensive on-line questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to formulate the facets of satisfaction. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of three facets of employee satisfaction. Findings - Three facets of employee satisfaction were determined and the influence of three types of factors (demographic, job-related and organizational-support-related factors) on them was investigated. The results show that the worst assessed facet was salary and security, whereas no significant differences were found between two other facets, namely relationships and leadership, and tasks and working conditions. The three factors influenced employee satisfaction with different levels of intensity. Research limitations/implications - The current economic situation in the state, especially in the public sector and in the police service, definitely impacts the results of the survey. The survey was conducted just before the announcement of savings measures in the Slovenian public sector. Since it was conducted on-line, it has to be assumed that for some employees this probably meant that anonymity could not be assured. Practical implications - The survey was performed in order to identify the opportunities for improvements in police management. The results indicate the importance of leadership, communication and participation in the work of police officers, especially during a period of limited financial resources. Originality/value - The paper shows that the strongest influence, by far, on employee satisfaction is that of the employees' feeling that the police will support and protect them in case they are exposed while performing their legitimate and professional work. Trust in one's immediate superior also has a strong influence. Both could be an important signal to the management of the police to focus on activities to increase cohesiveness within the police and constantly promote the feeling of belongingness to the police among all its members.