REDUCING TURNOVER BY MOTIVATION

The study seeks to identify the needs and expectation of people at work, identify the major theories of motivation and evaluate their relevance to work situation, ascertain the relationship between motivation, job satisfaction, and work performance, and ascertain the factors that affect job satisfaction in the workplace. The study was carried out primarily through the survey method and interview of employees in three public sector organizations in Nigeria. Secondary data were obtained through books, journals, and internet. Findings indicate that economic rewards, intrinsic satisfaction, and social relationship are the needs and expectation of people at work. Maslow’s need hierarchy, McClelland’s motivation theory, expectancy theory and goal setting theory are the major motivation theories.There is a significant relationship between motivation, job satisfaction and work performance. Nature of the work, ones interest in the job, personal growth and development, and style of leadership would affect job satisfaction. Employee motivation is essential towards the success of any organisation: motivated employees are happy, productive, and committed. Human resources are essential to the prosperity, productivity, and performance of any organisation. Motivation is the key and a source which provides an environment where optimal performance is possible. Employee incentive programme is the key which promotes workplace harmony, employee performance an