Herzberg´s Theory of job satisfaction

06/09/2009 – Homework - Teacher Hellen

Hello Everybody,

The follow content is related to job satisfaction and this activity involves knowledge new vocabulary and expressions. Enjoy.

Vocabulary studied - just the unknown vocabulary contain description :

- Inspiration
- Remuneration

- Accomplishment
The action of accomplishing something or achieve something.

- Astonishment
The feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising à “He looked at me in astonishment. à “Amazement”.

- Carried
- Broken

- Brought
to carry, convey, conduct, or cause (someone or something) to come with, to, or toward the speaker: “Bring the suitcase to my house. He brought his brother to my office.”

- Pulled
- Reward
- Congratulation

- Prize
a reward for victory or superiority, as in a contest or competition.

- Acknowledgement
to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of: “to acknowledge one's mistakes.”

- Examination
- Evaluation
- Testing
- Interrogation
- Perks
- Awards
- Praise
- Loyalty
- Satisfying
- Fulfilled
- Completed
- Retaining
- Mature

- Accountable
subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something; responsible; answerable.

- Mindful
attentive, aware, or careful (usually fol. by of): “mindful of one's responsibilities”.

- Comfortable
- Dependence
- Autonomy
- Separateness
- Liberty
- Rise
- Increase
- Growth
- Raise
- Break
- Run
- Fire
- Burn

- Absence
state of being away or not being present: “I acted as supervisor in his absence. Your absence was noted on the records.”

- Period
- Leave

- Devise
to contrive, plan, or elaborate; invent from existing principles or ideas: to devise a method.

- Term
a period of time to which limits have been set: “elected for a term of four years.”


Herzberg´s Theory of job satisfaction

Frederick Irving Herzberg was management professor at the University of Utah known internationally for his work on helping companies understand how to motivate workers and increase productivity. He is known for his “Motivation-Hygiene Theory”. According to Herzberg, five factors increase job satisfaction and staff motivation to perform.

1 – Achievement

A sense of accomplishment or pride whenever a demanding task is carried out successfully.

One way managers can contribute to this is by encouraging employees to set clear, realistic professional goals for themselves.

2 – Recognition

The acknowledgment of an individual´s or group´s efforts, or contributions. For example, managers can highlight staff efforts and contributions in meetings. They can also give a genuinely positive performance evaluation and devise a judicious system of perks, such as housing allowances or extra holidays.

3 – Challenging work

For work to be completed there must be tasks that are challenging or motivating. Just as each individual prefer some tasks more than others, each finds some tasks more challenging than others.

4 – Responsibility

When staff feel responsible and accountable for their own work, and when they are somehow involved in the decision-making process, their job satisfaction increases. Managers can gradually increase staff autonomy and decision making as they gain expertise.

5 – Growth and Development

Everyone needs to continue to develop personally and professionally on the job. When there are limited opportunities for rise and development, motivation decreases. Employees may commit energy to other aspects of their personal lives, seek other employment, or run out. Managers can advocate educational or special training period for staff and encourage them to attend training programmes and conferences.