Hygiene Factors

Clueless on hygiene factors? Make an online search and for sure one name will top the list of results – Herzberg. But what is hygiene factors and who is Herzberg, what does he have to do with hygiene factors?
Hygiene factors are usually the basis of some employers to keep their work force satisfied. When basic needs (hygiene factors) are not met, it makes us, the employees feel dissatisfied. Meeting these needs does not make us satisfied -- it merely stopped us from feeling dissatisfied. The 'hygiene' word is intentionally medical as it is a comparison of the need to do something that is essential, however it does not add towards making the patient well (it only stops the patient from getting sick).
Frederick Herzberg was a famous clinical psychologist who is known to be the pioneer of 'job enrichment'. He is considered as one of the great original thinkers in management. Together with his colleagues, Dr. Herzberg wrote the book 'The Motivation to Work' that first established hygiene factors and motivational theory. Visit our article on hygiene theory to learn more on this theory.
Although Herzberg is most noted for his famous hygiene factors and motivational theory, he was basically concerned with people's well-being at work. It was the basis of his theories and academic teachings. He was essentially attempting to bring more humanity and caring into the workplace.
His research proved that people will strive to achieve certain needs (hygiene factors) because they are unhappy without them, but once fulfilled the effect soon wears off - satisfaction is temporary. People are only truly motivated by allowing them to reach for and satisfy the factors that Herzberg identified as real motivators.
Examples of Herzberg's hygiene factors in the workplace are:

•     policy
•     relationship with supervisor
•     work conditions
•     salary
•     company car
•     status
•     security
•     relationship with subordinates
•     personal life

According to Herzberg, factors leading to job satisfaction are "separate and distinct from those that lead to job dissatisfaction." The characteristics linked with job dissatisfaction are called hygiene factors. When these have been satisfactorily met, people will not be upset nor will they be truly happy.
Hygiene factors may promote peace in the workplace but will not automatically enhance performance. These factors are not motivating the workforce to improve performance. But the problem is that many employers look at the hygiene factors as ways to motivate.
Perhaps management likes to use the hygiene factors approach because they think people are more financially motivated however, it is best to look for ways in which employers can help their employees grow within their jobs, give them opportunities for achievement, and praise that achievement.