Pengaruh Motivasi Kerja dan Stres Kerja terhadap Kepuasan Kerja Pegawai Entry level Start-up

Abstract

Globalisasi dan kemajuan teknologi informasi telah mendorong perubahan besar dalam dunia kerja, termasuk munculnya berbagai start-up berbasis digital di Indonesia. Perusahaan start-up berkembang pesat dan menawarkan fleksibilitas serta budaya kerja yang menarik bagi generasi Z. Generasi ini dikenal adaptif terhadap teknologi, menyukai kebebasan, serta menghargai lingkungan kerja yang fleksibel dan mendukung pengembangan diri. Namun di balik kelebihannya, banyak start-up menghadapi tantangan dalam mengelola sumber daya manusia, khususnya terkait motivasi kerja dan stres kerja. Karyawan entry level sering mengalami beban kerja tinggi, tuntutan multitasking, dan ketidakjelasan jenjang karir. Hal ini berdampak pada turunnya motivasi dan meningkatnya stres kerja yang akhirnya menurunkan kepuasan kerja. Generasi Z juga memiliki kecenderungan job hopping yang tinggi, yang menyebabkan turnover semakin meningkat. Kondisi ini berisiko mengganggu keberlangsungan operasional perusahaan. Studi menunjukkan bahwa kepuasan kerja dipengaruhi oleh motivasi dan stres yang dialami karyawan. Lingkungan kerja yang sehat, dukungan emosional, dan penghargaan berperan penting dalam meningkatkan motivasi. Sebaliknya, stres kerja yang tinggi dapat menyebabkan burnout dan masalah pada absensi.

Pendekatan yang digunakan adalah kuantitatif dengan metode Structural Equation Modeling Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) untuk menganalisis hubungan antar variabel berdasarkan data survei yang dikumpulkan dari responden pekerja entry level yang bekerja di perusahaan start-up. Tujuan penelitian adalah : (1) Untuk menganalisis pengaruh motivasi kerja terhadap kepuasan kerja pegawai start-up entry level, (2) Untuk menganalisis pengaruh stres kerja terhadap kepuasan kerja pegawai start-up entry level, (3) Untuk menganalisis pengaruh motivasi kerja dan stres kerja terhadap kepuasan kerja pegawai start-up entry level.

Hasil analisis karakteristik responden dapat dinyatakan bahwa responden didominasi oleh laki-laki, mayoritas berusia 21–25 tahun dengan persentase pengambilan data sebanyak 57,4 persen. Sebagian besar responden (57,4 %) memiliki penghasilan bulanan dalam kisaran Rp 4.000.000 – Rp 6.000.000, yang mengindikasikan bahwa mayoritas responden berada pada tingkat penghasilan menengah ke bawah, yang umumnya sejalan dengan profil pekerja entry level di perusahaan start-up. Hasil analisis model SEM-PLS menunjukkan bahwa motivasi kerja memiliki pengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kepuasan kerja pegawai entry-level pada perusahaan start-up. Tetapi, stres kerja memiliki pengaruh negatif signifikan terhadap kepuasan kerja. Selain itu, motivasi kerja dan stres kerja secara simultan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap kepuasan kerja. Kombinasi dorongan dari internal (motivasi) dan tekanan eksternal (stres kerja) secara bersama-sama memengaruhi tingkat kepuasan kerja pegawai.

Globalization and advancements in information technology have drastically transformed the landscape of the working world. One significant impact is the rapid growth of digital start-ups in Indonesia. Start-ups offer work flexibility that is highly attractive to Generation Z. This generation is known for being tech-savvy, valuing freedom, and appreciating opportunities for self-development. However, start-ups face challenges in managing human resources, particularly related to work motivation and job stress. Entry-level employees are often burdened with multitasking and unclear career paths. This leads to decreased motivation and increased job stress. As a result, job satisfaction declines and turnover rates rise. Generation Z is also known for frequent job-hopping when they are dissatisfied with their work environment. High turnover poses a threat to the company's operational stability. Studies show that work motivation is crucial in maintaining employee satisfaction. A supportive and appreciative work environment can boost motivation. On the other hand, excessive job stress leads to burnout and absenteeism. Therefore, companies must balance motivation and pressure to achieve optimal job satisfaction.

The approach used in this research is quantitative, employing the Structural Equation Modeling Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) method to analyze the relationships between variables based on survey data collected from entry-level employees working at start-up companies. The objectives of this study is : (1) To analyze the effect of work motivation on job satisfaction among entry-level start up employees, (2) To analyze the effect of job stress on job satisfaction among entry-level start-up employees, (3) To analyze the simultaneous effect of work motivation and job stress on job satisfaction among entry-level start-up employees.

The results of the respondent characteristics analysis indicate that the respondents were predominantly male, with the majority aged between 21 and 25 years, accounting for 57.4 percent of the total data collected. Most respondents had a monthly income ranging from Rp 4,000,000 to Rp 6,000,000, also at 57.4 percent, indicating that the majority were within the lower-middle income bracket, which generally aligns with the profile of entry-level employees in start-up companies. The SEM-PLS model analysis results show that work motivation has a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction among entry-level employees in start-ups. However, job stress has a significant negative effect on job satisfaction. Furthermore, work motivation and job stress simultaneously have a significant influence on job satisfaction. The combination of internal drive (motivation) and external pressure (job stress) collectively affects the level of employee job satisfaction.