Perceptions of pay and work by standard and non-standard workers

Using a unique internet survey of standard and non-standard workers in Japan, the author studied the determinants of their perceived wage equity and job satisfaction by employment category. The primary finding was that distinctions of employment category and workers’ career concerns are more influential in determining perceived wage equity than wages and job contents per se. Secondly, the determinants of job satisfaction are rather common in each employment category, although a notable difference exists in the components of wage satisfaction. Satisfaction with wages, job security, training and working hours are all important in determining overall job satisfaction, which in turn contributes to organizational performance. Thirdly, measurements of capability show somewhat disadvantageous positions for non-standard workers, particularly those of contractual/temp-agency workers.