UNIT 3 - 2A Managing employees Flashcards
What is employee management
The activities and tasks involved in getting the very best out of the employees who are working for you. This covers a wide range of areas such as motivation, training, performance management, termination and wages.
Define Motivation
The practices or factors that drive a person to perform at their best. These factors can be either extrinsic or intrinsic
What are the three motivation theories
Hierarchy of needs - maslow
Goal setting - Locke and Latham
4 Drive theory - Lawrence and Nohria
Describe how Locke and Lathams Goal Setting Theory relates to motivation
Edward Locke and Gary Latham found through research that employees are motivated by goals that are challenging but attainable.
What are the 5 elements to Locke and Lathams Goal setting theory
Clarity Challenge Commitment Feedback and task complexity
How does Clarity in goals motivate employees
Clear goals give employees a direction to work towards and they know exactly what needs to be achieved. It is ideal that goals are given a time frame so the employee understands when it needs to be achieved.
How does challenging goals help motivate employees
The more challenging the goal, the more motivation it can provide. However, it the goal is too difficult, it becomes overwhelming and motivation is diminished. I essence, goals need to extend employees without being too ambitious. Challenging goals give employees drive and a sense of satisfaction that they are getting the best out of themselves.
How does commitment towards goals lead to motivation
If a goal is set b the manager, it is likely there will not be full commitment. Therefore, goals should be set collaboratively between the manager and employee, as then the employee is likely to take more ownership over the goal and become more committed.
How does feedback for goals lead to motivation
The manager should provide constructive feedback to the employee to keep them on track. The feedback should be ongoing to help the employee feel appreciated for their efforts, even if the end of goal seems far away. This keeps the employee satisfied and makes them want to continue to do well.
What is task complexity for goals and how does it lead to motivation.
Complexity of the task can not be beyond employee’s capabilities. While goals should extend employees, they should be tailored to the abilities of the employees to ensure goals are achieved and to keep them motivated.
How can Locke and Lathams goal setting theory be applied to business
A manager can improve employee motivation by setting clear and specific goals that are challenging, but not overwhelming. To ensure optimal motivation these goals should be set collaboratively to ensure commitment, and constructive feedback should be provided to ensure the employee remains on track. Overall this should lead to business success.
What are advantages so Locke and Latham’s goal setting theory
It is very individual focused as each employee sets a personal goal.
You can also adapt goals for individual people and their abilities
Can improve employe and manager relationship
What are disadvantages so Locke and Latham’s goal setting theory
Time consuming nature - to set goals for everyone and provide feedback
This can also be expensive
It is hard to have a very specific goal for everyone in a group
Define Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory
A theory of motivation devised by Abraham Maslow whereby human needs are represented in a hierarchical pyramid. The elements in this pyramid are sequential, and people move up the pyramid as they strive to do better, with the basic fundamental needs at the bottom to be satisfied first and the more challenging and highly developed needs at the top. In order, the needs are physiological needs, safety needs, social needs, self-esteem needs and self actualisation needs. Some of these needs are intrinsic and extrinsic.
How can Maslows hierarchy of needs be applied to business and employee motivation
If managers can work out which level their workers have already have already satisfied, they can put in place strategies to allow staff to work towards the next stage of motivators. Once a worker has mastered one level, they can be motivated by managers assisting them to move up to the next level of need.
What are the 5 elements in order to Maslows theory
Physiological needs Safety needs Social and belonging needs Self-esteem needs Self-Actualisation needs
What is physiological needs
Basic needs to survive, such as food and water.
How can Managers provide physiological needs
Providing a job, good pay and an income
What is safety needs
Personal and financial security (also includes job security).
How can managers provide safety needs
Provide contract to ensure job security
OH&S for safe working conditions
What is Social and belonging needs
Love, affection and a sense of belonging in the business.
How can managers provide social needs
Teamwork/team building, social activities, and staff functions.
What is Self-esteem needs
To have respect and a sense of accomplishment. A sense of value
