An ideal approach to rewards at work place can be derived from Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Maslow outlined a hierarchy of needs whereby humans are motivated to reach the highest level called self-actualization signifying the state in which a human realizes their optimal potential and remains intrinsically motivated. The levels are usually represented in the form of a pyramid with self-actualization being at the top of the pyramid. Maslow also urged that unless we satisfy the lower levels, we cannot expect one to move up to the top.
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Read more about Maslow's hierarchy of needs at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs.
We can draw parallels to Maslow's hierarchy levels in the context of employee needs within an enterprise as follows:
|
Pyramid levels |
Employee needs |
Examples |
|---|---|---|
|
5 |
Physiological needs |
Salary components |
|
4 |
Safety needs |
Work place safety and health benefits |
|
3 |
Social |
Working relationship with supervisors and peers |
|
2 |
Esteem... |