Analyzing the Effects of Pay and Other Factors on Employee Motivation

This essay delves into the multifaceted concept of employee motivation, challenging the notion that pay is the sole determinant of employee engagement and performance. It argues that while pay is a significant factor, other elements such as effective communication, a supportive working environment, equity in treatment, and recognition and rewards play equally crucial roles. The essay draws upon various motivational theories, including Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Herzberg's two-factor theory, to illustrate how these factors influence employee satisfaction and productivity. It highlights the importance of fostering open communication channels, creating a culture of support and cooperation, ensuring fair treatment, and implementing recognition programs to enhance overall motivation. Ultimately, the essay concludes that a holistic approach, considering both financial and non-financial motivators, is essential for creating a highly motivated and engaged workforce.

2019
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“Topic for the Essay: Effect of motivation is the level of pay”
Motivation is the word that is derived from the word ‘motive’ which simply relates to the needs,
desires and wants of the individuals. It can be said that motivation is the process that stimulate
the individuals to give their best towards the accomplished goals and targets. In this essay, the
discussion will be made on the concept motivation. The selected topic for the essay is “The
online thing that effect the motivation level of the employees is the pay”. It can be said that it is
difficult to agree on this argument as there are many other factors that helps in boosting the
overall motivation level in the workplace. In the present scenario, the main emphasis of the
individuals is on the level of pay but on the other hand it can be said that there are other factors
also that plays an important role and effect the motivational level of the individuals. It can be
said that motivated employees are more focused towards giving their best towards the task
allocated by the higher authorities (Kanfer, Frese and Johnson, 2017).
It can be argued that there are many others factors that enhance the motivation level of the
individuals and it is not only the pay that effects the motivation. The other factors that affect the
motivational level of the individuals in the workplace are the way of communication. It can be
said that communication is considered as the major factor that boost the overall motivational
level of the individuals in the workplace. If emphasis is given on the employees of the company
then it is examined that there should be proper hierarchy so that flow of communication can be
maintained (Boies, Fiset and Gill, 2015).
For example: If an employee know to whom they want to contact then it would be easy for them
to complete their work on time and it also boost the overall motivational level of the employees
towards the assigned work. The employees can be motivated in the workplace if they are free to
share their queries and opinions with the higher authority or with the management (Quirke,
2017). By having effective communication it would be possible for the employees to clarify their
doubts that can also assist in creating positive mindset towards the work. It is one of the best
ways that can help in boosting the overall motivation level of the employees apart from the pay.
So, apart from pay communication is also the important factor that boosts the motivation level of
the individuals (Kang and Sung, 2017).
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Motivation of the individuals in the workplace can also be enhanced by maintaining supportive
working environment. It is examined that if there is supportive environment in the workplace in
which employees are supporting each other to improve the activities, then it can be stated that it
is one of the positive motivational technique that can assist in enhancing the overall level of
motivation of the employees towards the assigned work. In supportive environment, the
cooperation between the employees and higher authority enhances which can be considered as
one of the effective reasons of employee motivation. If coordination and cooperation is
maintained by the individuals in the workplace then it leads to the overall growth and also
maximizes the satisfaction level of the employees towards the work (Livermore and Soon, 2015).
One of the examples can be of Nestle Company in which the management emphasizes on
creating supportive environment that helps in boosting the positive feeling that leads to the high
level of motivation among the employees. So, it can be stated that motivation is also effected due
to the culture or the workplace environment in which the employees are managing their routine
activities.
It can also be said that other than pay there are also other needs that are important to be fulfilled
of the employees to boost the motivation. If pay is given high but on the other there is no respect
and trust among the employees than it negatively affects the motivation level of the employees in
the competitive business world. To satisfy the other needs apart from pay it is necessary for the
management to emphasize on considering the motivational theory. The popular motivational
theory is Maslow hierarchy needs that relates with the basic needs of the workers that should be
fulfilled so that motivation level can be enhanced. In relation to Maslow hierarchy of needs there
are five stages that are important to be considered such as psychological needs, safety needs,
belongingness needs, esteem needs and self-actualization need. In relation to psychological
needs the basic needs should be fulfilled such as proper interval should be given to the
employees, food and shelter should be provided so that they can feel positive and good at the
time of working for the organization (Conley, 2017).
Safety needs is also considered as the essential needs that should be given to the employees such
as security and safety should be provided so that employees can have positive attitude and also
high satisfaction level towards the work. The Next is belongingness and love needs in which
there should be friendship and trust between the workers and higher authorities so that it could be
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easy to accomplish the set goals and objectives and it will also assist in maintaining the
satisfaction level of the employees. Esteem needs focuses on the prestige and feeling of
accomplishment that helps in maintaining the overall level of motivation of the employees. The
last need is self-actualization needs that emphasizes on the potential level of the individual and it
is important to be boosted so that it could be easy to attain the positive results in the highly
competitive market. So, it can be said that this is one of the effective motivational theory that
should be considered by the management as it can assist in fulfilling the basic needs of the
employees and can boost then motivation level of the employees in relation to the organizational
functions (Neff, 2017).
The next factor that impacts the motivational level of the employee is equity. It has an essential
role in enhancing the motivational level of employees in the company. When the higher authority
offers equal chance to the employees then it helps in creating positive mindset among the
employees in context to the overall work. It is the responsibility of the top authority to provide
equal chance to the workers so that the feeling related to partiality and biasness’ can be reduced
(Wilson, 2018).
Equity theory is also the theory in which equal opportunities and treatment should be given by
the higher authority and it is one of the best ways that can help in managing the work. It is
analyzed that equity is the essential factor that is considered by majority of the company as it
helps in maintaining the workforce towards the organizational activities and also the feeling of
belongingness can be generated of the employees towards the work (Rasskazova, Ivanova and
Sheldon, 2016). Therefore, it can be stated that equity theory and concept is the other factor that
is apart from the pay offered to the employees at the time of managing the organizational
functions in the business world.
Apart from pay, recognition and rewards are the best technique that can assist in enhancing the
level of motivation of the workers in relation to the work assigned by the management. It is
necessary for the workers to provide rewards and incentives to the staff so that they perform well
as compared to the other competitors present in the market. In relation to this, the management
considers Herzberg two factor theory in which the motivator and hygiene factors of the
employees is considered (Ross, Perkins and Bodey, 2016). The rewards and promotions should
also be provided to the workers so that they can feel motivated or it can be said that it is the best
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way of enhancing the motivation level of the workers towards the work. So, it can be said that
this is also one of the major factor that is followed by the management as it helps in creating the
positivity in the workplace and also helps in boosting the engagement level of the employees
towards the given work (Rosenzweig et al., 2018). Therefore, rewards and recognition can help
in boosting the motivation apart from the pay.
It can be concluded that it would not be easy to agree upon the statement that “effect of
motivation is related with pay offered to the employees”. There are many other factors that affect
the level of motivation such as communication, working environment, equity and recognition
and rewards. These are the factors that affect the motivational level of the employees and it also
helps in creating the positivity of the employees. So, it can be said that not only the pay is the
motivation factor but also there are other ways that helps in boosting the engagement level of the
employees.
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