role of managers in motivating staff

Question 1

describe fair pay

Answer 1

Employees work to earn money to satisfy their needs and wants. If they don’t think they are receiving a fair amount of pay for their work, they will be demotivated and their productivity will decrease.

Question 2

describe payment methods

Answer 2

Organisations can use a number of payment methods to motivate staff such as; Commission, PRP, Piece Rate and Overtime.

Question 3

describe incentives

Answer 3

Non-financial incentives could be offered e.g. holidays, cars, discounts and private healthcare.

Question 4

describe permanent contracts

Answer 4

Employees need to feel that they have job security. Organisations should avoid the use of temporary contracts where possible. Permanent contracts will make employees feel more secure and they will get on with their jobs.

Question 5

describe good working conditions

Answer 5

Employees need to feel that their working conditions are safe. As Herzberg states, good working conditions won’t necessarily motivate employees but bad working conditions will demotivate them. However, improved working conditions such as a new office may motivate staff for a short while

Question 6

what are the 5 basic motivation methods

Answer 6

-fair pay
-payment methods
-incentives
-permanent contracts
-good working conditions

Question 7

what are the 4 advanced motivation methods

Answer 7

-staff appraisals
-recognition
-development opportunities
-empowerment

Question 8

Payment Methods as a Method of Motivation - describe commission

Answer 8

Salespeople can be offered commission, which a percentage of the sales they make, motivating them to sell more

Question 9

Payment Methods as a Method of Motivation - describe PRP

Answer 9

Performance-related pay, sometimes called a ‘bonus, this is an extra payment on top of the basic wage for agreed targets

Question 10

Payment Methods as a Method of Motivation - describe piece rate

Answer 10

The employee is paid per item they produce, which encourages a high work rate however, the quality of work may drop

Question 11

Payment Methods as a Method of Motivation - describe overtime

Answer 11

When an employee works longer than their contractual hours, normally at a higher rate of pay, this encourages extra production to meet demand

Question 12

describe staff appraisals

Answer 12

Regular meetings with a manager are known as appraisals. These motivate employees as they are told what they are doing well and given targets to aim for. They can also be targeted for promotion

Question 13

describe recognition

Answer 13

Employees who want to progress in their career respond well to recognition, such as an employee of the month scheme

Question 14

describe development opportunities

Answer 14

Employees will want to develop their skills, for example through a management training scheme, so they are able to identified for promotion opportunities and improve their status in the organisation

Question 15

describe empowerment

Answer 15

Empowerment means giving staff the authority to make their own decisions. Managers can delegate of their responsibility to an employee and let them decide how best to carry it out. They will give employees a sense of job satisfaction

Question 16

what are the benefits of motivating staff

Answer 16

-Increased productivity employees
-Better quality products
-Better standard of customer service
-Reduced staff absenteeism and poor time-keeping
-Reduced staff turnover, reducing re-hiring costs
-Improved employee relations and fewer grievances

(if asked for effects of demotivated staff, apply the opposite of the above benefits i.e. poorer standard of customer service)