Question

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

By applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, the Human Resources Department in orgnisations strive to make the workplace a second home for the employees. The professional employees who studied Psychology and Organisational Behaviour create good working conditions in the workplaces. In offices, one can find comfortable places, places to rest and nap, kitchen and plenty of food and drinks, and transportation facility. Training programmes are conducted for employees on principles and ethics of workplace and respect for fellow employees. Some organisations also have rewarding systems club membership, profit shares and promotion, retirement plan and social insurance, medical insurance and annual paid vacations. All these conditions and benefits have a great impact on the behaviour of employees which eventually impacts the work environment and business of the organisation.

1. Discuss how each need, as given by Maslow, is satisfied in the above case.
2. To which level of management, does the Human Resource Manager belong? Mention any two functions performed by her.

Answer 1

1. Maslow’s theory: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory about what motivates and fulfils humans. It states that five categories of human needs dictate an individual's behaviour:
   1. Physiological needs: Physiological needs are the basic needs for food, water, sleep etc. They are also called survival needs. In the given passage, the organisation fulfils the physiological needs of its employees by providing them comfortable working conditions, places to rest, kitchen facility.
   2. Safety needs: These needs include physical safety against accidents, fire, etc and economic security against sickness, old age, etc. With reference to the above case, the organisation takes care of the safety needs by providing its employees with social insurance and medical insurance schemes.
   3. Love and belonging needs: Love and belonging needs are the need for association and friendship with others. The organisation ensures the fulfilment of these needs by giving certain opportunities to its employees outside workplace and gives them club memberships, annual paid vacations etc.
   4. Esteem needs: Esteem needs include self-esteem and esteem for others, which includes self-confidence, power, prestige, etc. The organisation has a rewarding system, profit shares, and promotion opportunities for its employees to ensure the fulfilment of esteemed needs.
   5. Self-actualisation needs: Self-actualisation needs to refer to the employees’ needs for growth and self-fulfilment. The organisation provides its employees with training programmes on principles and ethics of the workplace for employees to grow and learn.
2. Middle level:
   • Interpret the policies for lower management.
   • Taking decisions regarding the number of personnel in the department.
   • Assigning duties and responsibilities to employees in their department.