An organizations ability to attract highly educated, skilled employees might not be based on the monetary value, but rather what contributes to a higher self-actualization for that specific individual.
The study of what makes people happy has long been argued, with some saying the love of money is the root of all evil and others say that money may not guarantee happiness but it will help you buy what you need to find happiness. Benjamin Franklin stated “The Constitution only guarantees the pursuit of happiness; it is up to each to catch it”.
The peril, is an overwhelming majority of Americans are no happier today than four generations ago. In 2008 Americans, and indeed the world, lived through the second …show more content…
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is based on a pyramid which is divided into five basic and psychological needs which contribute to the overall well-being of the individual. The five levels or needs are; 1. Physiological needs - food, water, rest, 2. Safety needs – security, safety, 3. Belongingness and love needs – friends, intimacy, 4. Esteem needs – prestige, accomplishment needs, 5. Self-actualization needs – achieving one’s full potential and …show more content…
The new movement is not the big house with picket fence in the suburbs with two cars parked in the garage and the related costs, but rather the movement is toward lifestyle.
A quality of life where having more time with family and friends, living debt free, or to be able to travel or set your own work hours are all viable options in today’s business world. This opens employees and even HR departments to seeking or creating a career/job opportunity not because of the monetary value it provides, but instead the rewards of need fulfillment. HR personnel should realize that self-actualized individuals are happier, take less time off, are sick less and actually grow into better employees as they feel more and more empowered and fulfilled.
In an article in The Guardian magazine author Simon Caulkin states “Paradoxically, the age of economic self-interest has turned out to be as destructive of human happiness as it has to the economy. Conversely, a more inclusive, egalitarian, humanitarian era may benefit not only happiness, but the economy too”. (Caulkin, 2009). Further, the article states that employees of companies which choose layoffs over cutting dividends, in times of crisis, may not realize the employees will remember this far into the future, making for less engaged employees. In tough economic times, recessions, and with competitiveness at an all-time high, having less engaged employees is not likely to be a winning