An evaluation of programmes for staff motivation in NHS and hotel ancillary staff

The study was concerned with investigating the most effective means of motivating low waged workers in the UK’s private and public sectors. Levels of job satisfaction, as an indicator of work motivation, were compared between ancillary staff in the National Health Service (NHS) and the hotel and leisure industry, and correlated with the staff‐centred programmes introduced in organisations for addressing the issue of staff motivation. Through empirical study no association was found between financial incentives and job satisfaction or staff motivation, and a positive correlation was found between staff‐centred programmes and staff satisfaction and staff motivation, which has implications for the working practices for these workers in the NHS. These findings are placed in a theoretical context.