Work Attitudes of Minority Groups and White Workers.

Abstract

Data concerning job satisfaction differences among whites, blacks, and Puerto-Ricans was collected from three organizations. The major purpose of this research was to investigate whether cultural-ethnic differences have any important influence on work attitudes of minority and white workers, and to stratify the sample to assess interaction between demographic factors and job satisfaction among races. With the exception of lower satisfaction with supervision by the minority groups, no consistent differences in job attitudes were found between the white and the minority workers. Stratification by the job level, and other socio-economic variables, did reveal further differences in black and white job attitudes. Job dissatisfaction of minority blue-collar workers stemmed mostly from the extrinsic job factors, while the white-collar blacks were more dissatisfied with intrinsic job factors. The relationship between race and work attitudes is very complex. No broad stereotypic assumptions can be stated for all blacks, Puerto-Ricans, or whites. The intervening variables of occupational level education, job level, sex, age, tenure, and community characteristics must be considered, as well as specific determinants of job satisfaction.