Final answer:
The simplest and easiest job evaluation method to explain to employees is the Ranking Method. A manager employing a survey across four selected departments is using a Cluster survey design. Work content is traditionally the most predictive factor of overall job satisfaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The method of job evaluation that is the fastest, simplest, and easiest to explain to employees is the Ranking Method. Unlike other complex methods, the ranking method involves listing all jobs in order from highest to lowest based on their perceived value to the organization. This does not require in-depth analysis of individual job components, which can be time-consuming and complicated.
Regarding the survey design question, the manager using interviews with all employees in four randomly selected departments is employing a Cluster survey design. This is because the entire population of employees is divided into sections (departments) from which the manager has chosen a few for an in-depth study.
When considering the most strongly predictive factor of overall job satisfaction, work content is often the most influential. Factors such as autonomy and financial rewards can also play significant roles, but the actual content of the work is more consistently linked with job satisfaction levels.
Job satisfaction is commonly measured using questionnaires based on a Likert scale. This scale allows employees to express their satisfaction in degrees ranging from 'Very satisfied' to 'Very dissatisfied'. These questionnaires can be designed to assess either a global level of satisfaction or specific factors related to the job that lead to satisfaction or dissatisfaction.