PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of job satisfaction on employee attendance and conduct.Design/methodology/approachThe approach was to use data from a study on job satisfaction and performance conducted in a utility company operating in the United Arab Emirates. Job satisfaction was measured using the 20‐item MSQ (Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire) short form. Performance measures were based on the utility company employee performance rating system.FindingsPreliminary analysis of the data revealed significant differences on aspects of job satisfaction and performance between the two gender groups (i.e. males vs females). In general, female respondents were less satisfied with various aspects of their jobs and the job context than their male counterparts. Similarly, they tended to be less performing than their male counterparts on a number of job performance criteria. This pattern is indicative of an underlying linkage between satisfaction and performance, particularly in relation to gender groups.Originality/valueThe paper discusses the potential cultural specificities of the results and their implications for future research and management practice with regard to job satisfaction and performance.