■ Job design can influence performance in certain jobs, especially those where employee motivation can make a substantial difference. Lower costs resulting from reduced turnover and absenteeism also are related to the effective design of jobs. ■ Job design can affect job satisfaction. Because people are more satisfied with certain job configurations than with others, identifying what makes a “good” job becomes critical. ■ Job design can affect both physical and mental health. Problems such as hearing loss, backache, and leg pain sometimes can be traced directly to job design, as can stress, high blood pressure, and heart disease.