<p>Loyalty to an employer or organization often stems from a certain sense of belonging and motivation. Since the pandemic, employers need to understand and cater to these needs to attract and retain talent. More than <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/12/a-record-4point4-million-people-quit-jobs-in-september-great-resignation.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4.4 million people quit their jobs in the US in September 2021</a> alone.</p>
<p>Employment is more than financial motivation. That is to say that it should provide other non-monetary benefits like a sense of purpose, flexibility, paid leave, and support. Companies that fail to offer similar benefits may experience <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/how-employers-can-get-ahead-of-the-great-resignation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher turnover rates</a> than desirable. Conversely, those that satisfy more than the basic needs will <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/recruit-attract-international-nurses/">attract</a> and retain talent. </p>
<h2>What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?</h2>
<p>Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a theory of human motivation represented in the form of a 5-tiered triangle. The theory is that the most basic needs (water, food, sleep, health, finances) must be met before individuals can attend to their higher levels of needs. Beginning at the bottom of the triangle (tier 1), the hierarchy of needs ascends in this order:</p>
<ol><li><strong>Psychological</strong> (Water, Food, Sleep)</li><li><strong>Safety and security</strong> (Health, Finances)</li><li><strong>Love and belonging</strong> (Friendships, Family, Connections)</li><li><strong>Esteem</strong> (Self-Esteem, Respect, Recognition, Status, Strength)</li><li><strong>Self-actualization</strong> (Meeting your full potential)</li></ol>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="535" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/12/shutterstock_477304045-1024x535.jpg" alt="attract and retain talent" class="wp-image-13064" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/12/shutterstock_477304045-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/12/shutterstock_477304045-300x157.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/12/shutterstock_477304045-768x401.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/12/shutterstock_477304045.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>To retain and attract the right people, accommodate their needs and you’re sure to stand out as an employer of choice. </figcaption></figure>
<h2>How is Maslow’s theory relevant to attracting and retaining talent?</h2>
<p>Many employees realized that their current employer did not satisfy enough of their needs throughout the pandemic. In light of that, many people began to feel that they were not being treated as a company’s most valuable player. Certainly, without these basic needs being met, people could not contribute wholeheartedly to the growth of their organization or personal growth. Creating a safe and respectful work environment is essential to attract and <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/retaining-talent-during-the-great-resignation-with-employee-support/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retain</a> talent. Otherwise, organizations will voluntarily be handing their staff over to ‘<a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/great-resignation-employee-retention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Great Resignation</a>’. </p>
<h2>What do employees really want from employers?</h2>
<p>People seek meaning in their work. Most importantly, organizations need to facilitate spaces where this meaning can be inspired, explored and grown. That is to say that by understanding the needs of our employees, we can take steps to create spaces where change, communication and meaning are welcomed and drive growth for all stakeholders. </p>
<p>Mainly, people strive for a sense of belonging. This is the third tier of Maslow’s model. But often, only the physiological needs (tier 1) and safety needs (tier 2) are met. However, people want to know that they are contributing, that their work is meaningful and a driving force behind the success of their colleagues and organization and their own. People are thinking of their ‘why’. “<em>Why am I doing this job? Why have I made these choices? Why am I spending this much time at work? Why have I taken this route in my life?</em>” </p>
<p>Employees, particularly those who got to work remotely at some point during the pandemic, had the chance to re-evaluate their priorities, needs, lives and values. Those who could not separate remote work and life burned out at home. Others embraced the work-from-home life and now intend to keep it going forward, regardless of their role or employer. Many realized that certain working conditions need to be met. That’s why employers who don’t offer certain working flexibility or benefits can see turnover rates increase. </p>
<p><strong>But do not fear!</strong></p>
<p>This isn’t necessarily negative. It’s an excellent opportunity to transform your <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/improve-hiring-processes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recruitment processes</a> and <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/9-effective-employee-retention-strategies-for-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retention strategies</a> to attract and retain talent.</p>
<h2>What can organizations do to attract and retain talent?</h2>
<ol><li>Ensure that every team member feels valued and that they feel and know that too!. You can achieve this by <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/hiring-internationally-5-ways-to-help-you-employ-top-talent-from-abroad/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hiring internationally</a> to build a dynamic culture of belonging or even regular social(ly distanced) events online or in person. A higher sense of belonging is linked to a higher intent to remain with an organization.</li><li>Make sure that senior colleagues show this appreciation to junior staff. It begins from the top and should filter nicely through all departments and staff. This also works vertically too. </li><li>Ensure that roles provide consistently meaningful work</li><li>Facilitate a better work-life balance and a sense of purpose in addition to monetary and non-monetary compensation</li><li>Speak to your staff and job candidates. Ask them what they really want and respond to them by making plans to meet their needs.</li><li>Rethink and reconsider how your organization operates and why it exists to create long-term loyal, productive, meaningful and trusting relationships.</li><li>Upgrade policies to allow more flexible working</li><li>Source and <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/creating-an-effective-onboarding-process-for-international-hires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">onboard international professionals</a> to <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/6-ways-technology-addresses-skills-shortages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fill shortages</a> and add to company culture and a sense of belonging</li><li>Ensure time to recharge throughout the day</li></ol>
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<p>Overall, people’s priorities change as they make their way up Maslow’s pyramid. To retain and attract the right people, accommodate their needs and you’re sure to stand out as an employer of choice. </p>
<h4>Are you looking to hire internationally?</h4>
<ul><li>Sign up to <a href="https://lp.trueprofile.io/recruit-medical-staff-free-trial/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueProfile.io Recruiting</a> and advertise job vacancies to our pool of over 300,000 career-focused healthcare professionals on <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueProfile.io Jobs</a>!</li><li>Please reach out to a member of our team via <a href="mailto:businesspartner@truepofile.io" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">businesspartner@trueprofile.io</a>.</li></ul>
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