STAFF MOTIVATION AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF BAYELSA STATE POLYTECHNIC ALEIBIRI, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Human resource is the heart of every organization because every other resources depend on the human resources for effective utilization. For the human resource to perform its activities effectively, there must be some level of motivation given to the workers. This paper examines motivation as a way of improving workers’ performance in Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri. In this work, the meaning of motivation was conceptualized, its impacts on workers’ performance, factors that motivate workers, causes of poor workers performance among others are extensively discussed. To achieve the objective of the paper, primary and secondary data were used. The survey research design method was used to obtain the primary data. That is, questionnaire was designed and administered to the respondents. The simple random sampling technique was adopted to ensure that every member of the population is giving equal chance to be included for the study. Data collected from the field was analyzed witharithmetic. The secondary source of data includes textbooks and journal articles. The result from the findings revealed that non-implementation of staff promotion, inadequate staff training, unconducive working environment among others contribute to low workers’ performance. Furthermore, the study also revealed that, implementation of staff promotion, study leave with full pay, payment of promotion arrears, staff training motivate and enhance worker performance.Arising from the findings, the study recommend that government should implement staff promotion and as well pay all outstanding promotion arrears to workers. Also, staff should be granted study leave with full pay and regular staff training programme should be organized to help workers acquire new skills to enhance their job performance.