Be motivated to understand your workforce

Anna Scott

Solving the mystery of what motivates workers is one of the major goals of human resources directors, not to mention the assorted consultants and industries dedicated to employment issues.

Millions has been spent on understanding what makes different age groups operating in the workforce more inclined to carry out their jobs to the best of their ability, or how new ways of working – often made necessary by a business’ current operating environment – change the way people are motivated.

The latest large-scale piece of research on this subject, conducted by the Institute of Leadership and Management, finds that the single most effective motivator voted for by the largest proportion of respondents is not something that is easily identified, developed or nurtured by organisations. Fifty nine per cent of the 1,000 employees surveyed by the ILM said that the enjoyment of their role is one of their top three motivators.

On the face of it, it is obvious that someone who enjoys their job will be more motivated to do it well. We know, though, that motivation can take different forms. Nearly half (49%) if the ILM’s respondents think money is one of their top motivators for work. They are more likely to be men than women, for whom enjoyment is most important for motivation.

Equally, money is not the be all and end all: 76% of part-time workers are highly or fairly motivated, compared with 68% of their full-time colleagues, this is despite being paid less pro-rata. The ILM noted that part-timers are paid less than half the average salary for a full-time employee.

Emotional factors motivate workers, such as getting on with their colleagues (42%), how well their managers treat them (22%) and how much control they have over their work (22%).

All this data provides interesting guidance for HR professionals looking at their organisation’s attrition rates, company culture and employee salary and benefit packages, and establishing where to focus their attention or which strategies to overhaul.

For recruitment agencies too, looking to please clients and fill roles, this kind of research highlights just how essential it is to understand what candidates want from the jobs they apply for and what they are actually capable of achieving.

As the economy goes into an upturn and employers still suffer talent shortages, placing the right candidates will be vital.