Determinants of satisfaction in the workplace: differences and similarities between male and female employees in Chile

Abstract

This paper empirically examines the major determinants of Chilean male and female employees' satisfaction. Two variables represent one's satisfaction with the workplace: having a full-time job and receiving a quality benefit package. We extract data from the 2009 national employment survey in Chile and observe over 426,000 Chilean employees in our sample. The survey data show that women's participation in the labour force is significantly lower than that of men's. Female employees tend to have higher education levels. However, male Chilean employees are more likely to work full-time and to have better benefits. We conduct econometric tests to examine various determinants of workplace satisfaction. Education and skill levels are found to have significant, positive effects on both male and female employees' satisfaction. Marriage and family status contribute the most to the differences between female and male employees' satisfaction.