According to Herzberg's theory, if hygiene factors are poor, what is likely?

• A. Employees will be unhappy due to hygiene factors
• B. Employees will be highly motivated
• C. No effect on satisfaction
• D. They will quit

Answer: (A)

In Herzberg's view, hygiene factors shape the surrounding conditions of work. When these factors are poor, people feel dissatisfied with their job because the basic context—salary, supervision, company policy, working conditions, relationships, and job security—is not adequate. This dissatisfaction shows up as unhappiness with the job. Importantly, improving hygiene factors beyond adequacy doesn't boost motivation; true motivation comes from motivators like achievement, recognition, the work itself, responsibility, and growth. So, when hygiene factors are poor, the most likely outcome is unhappiness due to those deficiencies. The other possibilities don’t fit as well: motivation is driven by motivators, not hygiene factors; a lack of effect on satisfaction contradicts the theory; and quitting is a possible consequence in some cases but not guaranteed by the theory itself.