This paper addresses the complexities of conceptualizing and improving work environments, focusing particularly on employee motivation. We introduce the ENT (fr. Environnement de Travail, or Workplace Environment) Ontology, a new framework devised to structure work environments by prioritizing employee well-being. Grounded in an extensive review of public HR (human resources) data, our comprehensive ontology-based analysis illuminates the limitations of traditional simplifications of motivational factors, which often reduce them to mere ‘Satisfaction’. The ENT Ontology overcomes these limitations by offering a detailed and scalable model that captures a broad spectrum of motivational factors, providing organizations with a robust tool to foster a conducive work environment. We highlight the imperative need for enhanced data collection and analytical frameworks to better understand and improve employee motivation.