Motivation: Human Needs (Copy)
2.2.2 Human Needs
A Simple Explanation Of Human Need
- Definition: Human needs are the basic requirements individuals must satisfy to survive, grow, and feel fulfilled.
- Needs can be divided into physiological, psychological, and social categories.
- Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs (a common framework):
- Physiological Needs – food, water, shelter, rest.
- Safety Needs – security, stability, protection from harm.
- Social Needs – relationships, belonging, love.
- Esteem Needs – recognition, respect, achievement.
- Self-Actualisation – fulfilling one’s potential, personal growth.
- In the workplace, employees expect their jobs to help satisfy some of these needs.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Business Full Scale Course
How Human Needs May Be Satisfied At Work
- Physiological Needs At Work
- Fair wages to afford food, housing, clothing.
- Reasonable working hours to allow rest.
- Example: A factory providing meals and rest breaks.
- Safety Needs At Work
- Job security through permanent contracts.
- Safe working conditions (health and safety policies).
- Pension schemes and healthcare benefits.
- Example: A construction company providing safety gear.
- Social Needs At Work
- Opportunities for teamwork and collaboration.
- Positive workplace culture with social interaction.
- Recognition of employees as valued members of the organisation.
- Example: Team projects and staff outings build belonging.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Business Full Scale Course
- Esteem Needs At Work
- Recognition for achievements (employee awards, bonuses).
- Opportunities for promotion and responsibility.
- Respect from managers and peers.
- Example: A sales employee being rewarded for exceeding targets.
- Self-Actualisation Needs At Work
- Opportunities to use creativity and innovation.
- Involvement in decision-making and problem-solving.
- Continuous learning and development opportunities.
- Example: Google employees given autonomy to work on passion projects.
How Human Needs May Not Be Satisfied At Work
- Unmet Physiological Needs:
- Low pay, excessive working hours, lack of basic facilities → leads to dissatisfaction and turnover.
- Unmet Safety Needs:
- Dangerous working conditions or frequent layoffs → causes stress and insecurity.
- Unmet Social Needs:
- Poor communication, lack of teamwork, workplace isolation → creates low morale.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Business Full Scale Course
- Unmet Esteem Needs:
- Lack of recognition or opportunities for growth → causes demotivation and resentment.
- Unmet Self-Actualisation Needs:
- Boring, repetitive tasks with no autonomy → prevents employees from reaching full potential.
- Example: An overqualified employee doing monotonous data entry feels unfulfilled.
Strategic Importance Of Meeting Human Needs At Work
- Businesses that satisfy employee needs enjoy higher productivity, loyalty, and creativity.
- Ignoring these needs leads to low morale, absenteeism, high turnover, and industrial disputes.
- HRM policies must align with motivational theories to ensure employees’ human needs are considered in organisational objectives.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Business Full Scale Course