Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs In The Workplace

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An American psychologist Abraham Harold Maslow created a theory: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This theory indicated that people have five categories of needs and these need are considered as a specific order which from low level to high level (Maslow 1987). Maslow pointed out that when people fulfil the need of low level and then would pursue higher needs such as a gradual rise (Pardee 1990). Moreover, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs could be applied to work environment, because demand of people could relate to motivation and behavior. According to ACCEL 2015, motivation can be seen as a significant element to improve the work performance. In addition, employee behavior could affect work efficiency, because worker who keep a positive work altitude …show more content…
However, this five needs could be considered as two main needs which are deficiency needs and growth needs (Kaur 2013). Deficiency need contain physiological, safe and social needs, and growth need include esteem and self-actualization needs. There are some explanations about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory and application of workplace. Firstly, according to Steers and Porter 1991, physiological needs which a lowest need and strongest need. Because these needs are basic survival need for human such as oxygen, water and food. Similarly, in the work environment the company should provide employee with basic needs, for example, minimum living wage and appropriate break time. These needs afford a fundamental living conditions for employees, when people who work in a stable condition will be able to contribute to their company (Kaur 2013). Secondly, safety needs are the second level of needs. When people fulfil all physiological needs and then safety needs can be activated (Steers and Porter 1991). Similarly, employee also need a safety working environment that without threats or ham, because if employee do their work in a safe environment, they do not need concern with fears of harm (Kaur 2013). Thirdly, when physiological and safety need are met, social needs will be activated. Social needs contain love needs and …show more content…
For example, managers are guided to help employee become self-actualize by needs theory, because employee who become self-actualize can maximize their strengths (Kaur 2013). Hence managers want to meet employee’s needs in order to promote their work performance. According to Maslow’s needs theory, an organization can realize needs of different level about individual and know how to use different ways to motivate their employee behavior (Steers and Porter 1991). There are some examples about application of the theory and how an organization to motivate and meet employees. Firstly, Lydia Bank (1997) point out that employer should afford rewards for employees such as money, higher position and privilege (use a company car). So, if employees want to receive rewards they must work hard (ibid). Secondly, employees are more likely receive praise from boss or peers. When their achievements were recognized, their esteem needs also can be fulfilled (Kaur 2013, cited in Greenberg and Baron 2003). Moreover, employer should afford social team activities for worker, because employee cooperate with others that could arouse the spirit of working. Also, when employees work in an organization, they prefer to express themselves (ibid). Next one, regular communication

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