Maslow's Hierarchy Theory Of Employee Satisfaction

2.5.1 Employee satisfactions

An employee satisfaction means job satisfactions which has gained popularity within the scope of occupational and organizational psychology. Spector, P. E., (1997), various researchers and practitioners have suggested their own view of what the definitions of job satisfaction is all about. Meanwhile, there are common two definitions that give insight to job satisfaction as: “the pleasurable emotional state resulting from the appraisal of one’s job as achieving or facilitating the achievement of one’s job values (pg. 1342)”. Locke, E.A., (1976) and “the extent to which people like (satisfaction) or dislike (dissatisfaction) their jobs (pg. 2)” Spector, P. E., (1997).

Holistically, definitions spread over the affective

The theory suggested that human needs form a five-level hierarchy consisting of: physiological needs, safety, love/sense of belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs described the important needs that need to be met first orderly (such as, physiological needs and safety), before more complex needs can be met (such as, belonging, esteem and self-actualization). Maslow’s needs hierarchy was developed to explain human motivation in general. By and large, its main tenants are applicable to the work setting, and have been used to explain job satisfaction. Within an organization, financial compensation and healthcare are some of the benefits which help an employee meet their basic physiological needs. Safety needs can manifest itself through employees feeling physically safe in their work environment, as well as job security and/ or having suitable company structures and policies. When this is satisfied, the employees can focus on feeling as though they belong to the workplace. This can come in the form of positive relationships with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace, and whether or not they feel they are a part of their team/ organization. Once satisfied, the employee will seek to feel as though they are valued and appreciated by their colleagues and their organization. The final step is where the employee seeks to self-actualize; where they need to grow and develop in order to become everything they are capable of becoming. Although it could be seen as separate, the progressions from one step to the next all contribute to the process of self-actualization. Therefore, organizations looking to improve employee job satisfaction should attempt to meet the basic needs of employees before progressing to address higher-order