Workplace Wellbeing Academy News

This week we start by looking at another model that inspired us to create the Workplace Wellbeing Academy.

Creating a healthy and flourishing workplace is more than just a corporate buzzword; it's a cornerstone of modern organisational success. To achieve this, understanding and addressing the diverse and evolving needs of employees is paramount. Abraham Maslow's original Hierarchy of Needs, which comprised five tiers, has been expanded to include seven tiers. This extended framework offers deeper insights into employee motivation and wellbeing. Let’s explore the significance of considering Maslow's 7-Tier Hierarchy of Needs when designing a workplace wellbeing strategy.

Abraham Maslow's groundbreaking theory on human motivation and needs has long been a foundational concept in psychology. In recent years, experts have expanded upon his original framework by adding two additional tiers to the hierarchy. The seven tiers, arranged from the most fundamental to the highest, are as follows:

·???????? Physiological Needs: This tier encompasses basic requirements for survival, including food, water, shelter, and rest.

·???????? Safety Needs: Building upon physiological needs, safety needs entail physical and psychological security, job stability, and access to resources.

·???????? Belongingness and Love: At this level, individuals seek social connections, intimacy, and a sense of belonging within a community or workplace.

·???????? Esteem Needs: These needs involve self-esteem and the desire for recognition, respect, and accomplishment. It includes both self-esteem (self-respect) and the esteem from others.

·???????? Cognitive Needs: Recognizing the importance of intellectual growth, this tier includes the need for knowledge, exploration, and problem-solving.

·???????? Aesthetic Needs: Beyond the cognitive level, individuals have a desire for beauty, creativity, and aesthetics in their surroundings and work.

·???????? Self-Transcendence: At the pinnacle of the hierarchy, self-transcendence represents a profound desire for purpose and meaning beyond oneself. It includes altruism, spirituality, and a sense of connection to a higher purpose.

The expanded hierarchy allows organisations to adopt a more comprehensive approach to employee wellbeing. Beyond addressing basic physiological and safety needs, companies can also nurture social connections, foster intellectual growth, and encourage aesthetic experiences within the workplace.

Cognitive needs, aesthetic needs, and self-transcendence directly correlate with employee engagement. A workplace that values and supports intellectual growth, creativity, and a sense of purpose is more likely to have motivated and engaged employees.

The inclusion of cognitive and aesthetic needs underscores the importance of creating an environment that promotes creativity and innovation. Organisations can encourage employees to explore new ideas, take calculated risks, and embrace novel approaches to problem-solving.

The highest tier, self-transcendence, emphasises the need for employees to find meaning and purpose in their work. Workplace wellbeing strategies can support this by aligning organisational goals with broader societal or ethical objectives, enabling employees to feel their work is contributing to a higher cause.

Organisations that recognise and address all seven tiers of needs are better positioned to attract top talent and retain valuable employees. A workplace that nurtures personal growth, creativity, and a sense of belonging becomes an attractive destination for job seekers.

Expanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to seven tiers provides a more nuanced understanding of employee motivation and wellbeing. By considering physiological, safety, social, esteem, cognitive, aesthetic, and self-transcendence needs, organisations can create a holistic workplace wellbeing strategy that fosters engagement, creativity, and a sense of purpose. In an era where talent retention and organizational success are closely tied to employee satisfaction and motivation, embracing this extended framework is not just advisable; it is an essential step in building a thriving and fulfilled workforce. When crafting your workplace wellbeing strategy, remember that employees have multifaceted needs, and addressing all seven tiers is key to achieving lasting success.

Contact us here at the WWA to find out more.

If you are one of our newer subscribers then you might like to know about our e-learning course, Mental Health Essentials. It's a great way for you and your teams to quickly start to understand more about mental health and wellbeing. You can find out more and access the course here. You can also download our FREE Guide to Managing Workplace Stress here.

We will be back next week with some exciting news.