Being Happy at Work Will Make You Miserable
This article discusses the importance of happiness at work and its impact on productivity. The author mentions a recent article by Jennifer Moss in the Harvard Business Review, which cites research from Oxford University. Jennifer talks about the causal link between happy workers and a 13% increase in productivity. On the other hand, unhappiness at work costs the world $7.8 trillion in lost productivity, equivalent to 11% of global GDP.
The author suggests that it is the responsibility of managers to make their employees happy. They propose three steps to achieve this. Firstly, they recommend reimagining flexibility, which includes shift-sharing, remote work options, and staggered start times. The author acknowledges that some CEOs may not endorse remote work, but they encourage managers to highlight the existing options for flexibility in the workplace.
Secondly, the author suggests rebuilding a sense of belonging among employees. They mention that team meetings have increased since the pandemic, but loneliness is still prevalent. They propose that individuals should reach out to their co-workers and offer friendship and support.
Lastly, the author emphasizes the importance of restoring purpose in the workplace. They mention an example of Hilton, a company that gave away a million room nights to first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. This act created an intrinsic connection between the workers and the company's values.
Jennifer’s article for Harvard Business Review serves as the basis for the discussion on the link between happiness and productivity. The author uses Jennifer’s insights to support their argument that managers should prioritize employee happiness.
Read the complete article at the link below.