Job satisfaction levels in 2011 were generally higher than the previous year, with a considerably larger percentage of employees saying they're 'slightly' or 'significantly' more satisfied.

Employees at transit systems in the U.S. and Canada reported higher job satisfaction levels in 2011 compared to the previous year, according to a survey by Transit Talent. The survey was conducted in December and early January as part of Transit Talent's annual salary survey. The salary portion of the survey will be reported in next Wednesday's issue of Transit Intelligence.

Transit employee morale improved noticeably in 2011 compared to the previous year based on the responses of 1,400 people surveyed by Transit Talent. Thirty percent of respondents reported a positive change in job satisfaction in 2011, compared to 19% in 2011. The sum of the percentages for 2010 does not equal 100 because of rounding.

Nearly 1,400 transit professionals responded to the question, "How has your job satisfaction changed in the past year?" Thirty percent reported a "slight" or "significant" improvement in their satisfaction, compared to 19% in 2010. In addition, fewer employees reported being "slightly less satisfied" in 2011, with a drop from 34% to 27%.

Meanwhile, a slight increase was seen in the percentage of employees who reported being "significantly less satisfied," with a rise from 10% to 12%.

Here is a sampling of comments from respondents categorized by their response to the job satisfaction question: How has your job satisfaction changed in the past year?

"Not At All"

-- "I have a great supervisor and wonderful, helpful co-workers."

-- "I am very satisfied with my job. I do not let the inequality of the wages and job title affect my performance or job satisfaction."

-- "Satisfaction has stayed the same, which actually means I really enjoy my work."

-- "I do the same job no matter what because the patrons depend on it the same."

-- "I was very satisfied before. I am still very satisfied."

"Slightly More Satisfied"

-- "I am fortunate to be working on challenging and high profile capital projects for our agency."

-- "New manager makes all the difference!"

-- "Job security weighs heavily on any decision to pursue a higher salaried position in the private sector, rather than my current position in the public service."

-- "Accomplishments on major projects have been satisfying and energizing."

-- "I am happy to be employed in this economy. Our agency tries to maintain a positive workplace even though they cannot give pay increases."

"Significantly More Satisfied"

-- "Expanded range of responsibilities and services has helped to keep interest high."

-- "Working on a new project that is more challeging."

-- "The 'significantly' more is due to a change in boss/managment."

-- "Directing operation of a multimodal public transit agency in challenging economic times has been an exciting experience!"

-- "Life is more about attitude and how you approach it, than salary."

"Slightly Less Satisfied"

-- "My job has become a little more demanding due to added duties. There has not been a salary increase in 4 years."

-- "More work, no extra compensation."

-- "I just get tired. There seem to be more regulations and requirements that we have to follow and no extra help to do it with."

-- "Benefit costs and retirement costs have escalated but salary has remained stagnant."

-- "Because I strive for excellence in transportation, I do not feel that my hard work is appreciated by my managers."

"Significantly Less Satisfied"

-- "It is no fun being the "overpaid, lazy public employee" whose individual pay and pension information is now front page news for the local papers, particularly when work load continues to increase."

-- "Politics. Politics. Politics."

-- "Morale is suffering, while workload has increased significantly for non-contract employees."

-- "The pattern of "doing more with less" is still alive and well. Overburdened employees and too many projects lead to serious apathy."

-- "The workload has increased dramatically, to the point of being unmanageable."

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