Motivation helps to reduce absenteeism in the organisation. Give three examples.

Answer – Motivation stimulates people to act to accomplish desired goals. A motive is an inner need; an incentive is an external stimulus offered to satisfy it. Motivation is internal, goal directed, complex and capable of being positive or negative.

Process: an unsatisfied need creates tension; tension produces drives or search behaviour; the person acts to satisfy the need; satisfaction reduces tension. New needs can restart the process.

Importance: improves performance; changes negative attitudes into positive participation; reduces employee turnover; reduces absenteeism; helps employees accept organisational change.

Examples of reducing absenteeism include recognising reliable attendance fairly, improving working conditions and linking meaningful achievement with rewards. Genuine needs and causes of absence should be understood; rewards alone cannot resolve every problem.