Motivation & Job Satisfaction
Motivation
Abraham Maslow was a proper clever bloke. He realised that people go to work for different reasons. Some go just for money and to pay the bills. Some go to provide a safe environment for their family so they can plan ahead and book things like holidays to Spain.
Maslow produced the above Hierarchy of Needs. He basically said that if you know where somebody is on the hierarchy, you can work out what might motivate them further in their work. So, for example:
Maslow produced the above Hierarchy of Needs. He basically said that if you know where somebody is on the hierarchy, you can work out what might motivate them further in their work. So, for example:
- Basic needs = pay the worker a minimum wage
- Safety needs = give the workers a contract
- Social needs = Let the workers work in teams and speak to people.
- Esteem needs = praise the workers and make them feel good. Give them a pay rise and promotion if they do a good job.
- Self-Actualisation = your workers are self-motivated and want to work hard for you. These people tend to love their job and want to be a success in everything they do.
Job Satisfaction
Imagine doing Maths all day every day. How bad would that be? Now, imagine you work in a supermarket and all you do all day is work on the tills. Would you be as motivated after 6 hours in work as you might be at the start of your shift? Probably not eh?
Businesses use a few different methods to help keep their workers satisfied each day (apart from paying them more). After all, happy workers are productive workers, which means they will do more and produce a better quality product or service.
Businesses use a few different methods to help keep their workers satisfied each day (apart from paying them more). After all, happy workers are productive workers, which means they will do more and produce a better quality product or service.
Job Rotation
Job Rotation is when you let somebody do a job for a few hours, then change their work to do something else. Then after another few hours, change their job again. A bit like being at school. You do Maths for a bit, then change to do English for a bit, then change to do your favourite Business Studies!
Follow the red person in the picture - that's job rotation so he doesn't get bored.
Follow the red person in the picture - that's job rotation so he doesn't get bored.
Teamwork
Together Everybody Achieves More. TEAM get it?
Anyway! People can work better in teams. Ideas get shared and different skills come together to produce a better quality than one person could provide on their own. A bit like Manchester United (but not city!). Teamwork also stops workers getting bored, although it can mean that the workers just spend time having a gab about last night's Coronation Street!
Anyway! People can work better in teams. Ideas get shared and different skills come together to produce a better quality than one person could provide on their own. A bit like Manchester United (but not city!). Teamwork also stops workers getting bored, although it can mean that the workers just spend time having a gab about last night's Coronation Street!
Job Enrichment
Job enrichment is all about trusting your staff to use their own skills and take responsibility. Imagine working in River Island and being asked to dress the models in the window. Now imagine your boss saying "Do it this way" and "Do this to that" etc.
You'd get bored of being told what to do all the time. Well, job enrichment is when your boss says "Can you dress the window for us please? Use your skills, I know you'll do a great job". You'll probably feel wanted and do a great job! Exactly as your boss said you would. Smart eh?!
You'd get bored of being told what to do all the time. Well, job enrichment is when your boss says "Can you dress the window for us please? Use your skills, I know you'll do a great job". You'll probably feel wanted and do a great job! Exactly as your boss said you would. Smart eh?!
Job Enlargement
Job Enlargement is when your boss gives you extra similar tasks to do. This is meant to make you go "Wow, thanks. Now I don't have to be bored doing just one thing all day - now I can be bored doing extra work too"!!
On a serious note, job enlargement can be a bit of a con. Your boss will give you more work to do so you are not bored, but I bet he doesn't give you more pay or more time to do the extra work. I hate job enlargement, can you tell?!!
On a serious note, job enlargement can be a bit of a con. Your boss will give you more work to do so you are not bored, but I bet he doesn't give you more pay or more time to do the extra work. I hate job enlargement, can you tell?!!