Abstract
M.Tech. (Somatology)
Job satisfaction pertains to any industry where human resources are involved. The topic of job satisfaction is usually associated with one trying to find out whether or not individuals are happy in their jobs. This is no different in the field of somatology (beauty technology, prior to 1996). Somatology relies on adequately managing human resources, as these are the people who administer treatments on clients, both cosmetically and holistically. It is for this reason that the purpose of this study was to explore and describe the factors of job satisfaction for somatologists working in somatology clinics in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Anecdotal evidence shows that a high staff turnover is prevalent in somatology clinics, and this may be due to various factors, inter alia the labour-intensive nature of the work carried out, and that this form of work is both emotionally and physically demanding.
The qualitative study was conducted in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg and the population consisted of somatologists (n=10) working in somatology clinics. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted and purposeful sampling was used in the study. Informed consent was provided by the somatology clinics where the interviews were conducted and a consent form was given to participants before they were interviewed.
A pilot study was conducted on a small sample before the remainder of the participants were interviewed. An appreciative inquiry approach was used when conducting semi-structured interviews as well when developing the questions used in the interviews. The interviews were transcribed, coded and then analysed in order to develop the themes and recommendations presented in the study. The themes developed looked at external motivation factors, the ideal work environment and the dreams to enhance job satisfaction for somatologists. To this end, 11 recommendations were developed and a description of the application thereof enclosed within, which set out to address concerns over the staff turnover in somatology clinics as well as improving the job satisfaction factors for somatologists...