Is Money the Primary Motivating Factor?

Is Money the Primary Motivating Factor?

I think money remains the primary motivating factor of employees...
Here in Uganda, the oldest national university Makerere has been closed due to striking lecturers over poor pay. They don't complain about harassment or poor working environment. And even if their counterparts in private universities are paid 10 times less than them, they don't complain of poor pay!
Today on 5 September 2011, all teachers in public primary schools have threatened not to teach the first term due to poor pay. Some of their colleagues teach in private schools on a voluntary basis because recruitment has reached a ceiling.
This prompts me to think that what motivates employees is money. Other factors are minor and secondary.

		Comments Sort by date Sort by rating Rating
		5 Jaap de Jonge Editor, Netherlands
	The Primary Motivational Factor is Situational Overall I agree that for many people, money is an important factor. But I think the question if it is the primary one for the motivation of some person is situational and depends on manythings: 1. Personal preferences 2. The current financial position of the person (poor or rich?) 3. The age of the person (for example; 20-doesn't need a lot of money. 25/30-earning to support family. 50-children have left the house, but may want to travel? 70+ enjoys the simple things in life - needs very little money) 4. The country and economic circumstances he/she is living in. 5. The emotional state of the person (just after a divorce or after a funeral?) 6. Etc. So as a manager, you're well advised to ask your employee individually what are his/her (current!) preferences.

		2 Anonymous
	Why the Salary (Money) Matters in Compensation Note that money has TWO values for the receiver in compensation: 1. The economic value to afford th... Sign up

		4 Saskia Constantinou Journalist, Cyprus
	Employee Motivation: It's not About the Money! There has been extensive research proving that money is not the motivating factor for promoting desi... Sign up