Employee satisfaction is the product of many factors, some directly related to the work situation and some related to the individual's personal qualities or characteristics. This week, you examine social cognitive theory and social identity theory as applied to the work environment and employee satisfaction.

For this Discussion, review the media titled Week 12: The Virtual Office,and evaluate the job satisfaction rates of the people in the media.

Then consider the social cognitive factors that might affect their job satisfaction.

Post by Day 4 a brief description of the employees with high job satisfaction and employees with low job satisfaction. Explain the reasons for their satisfaction beyond the score.

Then explain how non-work-related social cognitive factors might have influenced employee satisfaction for two of the employees.

Finally, explain two areas in which a consultant might use social psychology to maintain or improve work satisfaction. Be specific and support your responses with the Learning Resources and the current literature.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.

Respond by Day 7 to at least one of your colleagues' postings in one or more of the following ways:

Ask a probing question.

Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.

Offer and support an opinion.

Validate an idea with your own experience.

Make a suggestion.

Expand on your colleague's posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting.

Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.