There was an interesting article in today’s FINANCIAL EXPRESS (Sunday). Here is my response by way of a letter to the editor:
Dear Sir,
This refers to your inspiring article “Happiness and Productivity” (FE Special Sunday 4th May 2014). Yes, research has shown that a happy work-force results in higher productivity.
Amul, the brand leader in diary products, has even made an interesting observation on its website, that most cows give more milk when they listen to music. So, not only human beings but happy animals too yield more.
Research has also established that when people aren’t happy with their jobs or their employers, they don’t show up consistently, they produce less and their work quality suffers. Latest American Psychological Association research findings show that people want contentment, love and happiness derived from meaningful work. They want nourishing personal relationships, a healthy mind and body, a spiritual core and a reason for living.
Alas! Indian industry has often been suffering indirectly by an un-happy workforce resulting in strikes, lay-offs, slow downs and down-sizing. Hence it is high time that industrial houses create necessary environment both internal and external to result in a happier workforce and in turn higher productivity. Happy employees stay longer, take less sick leave, have more motivation and energy, are more creative and have more ideas, care more, make customers happy, sell more and are more helpful.
In fact, in some countries and in some enlightened organizations, they now appoint CHOs (Chief Happiness Officers) like they have CEOs and CFOs! Incidentally, other not so unusual names in place of CHOs are: Chief Fun Officer, Director of Delight, Passion Catalyst, Chief Imagination Officer.
Here is the shortened (edited) version of my letter published in FINANCIAL EXPRESS today (13th May 2014):
A ‘happy’ work culture
This refers to the article “Happiness and productivity” (FE on Sunday, May 4). Research has shown that a happy workforce results in higher productivity. Amul, the brand leader in diary products, has even made an interesting observation on its website that most cows give more milk when they listen to music. So, not only human-beings but happy animals too yield more. Research has also established that when people aren’t happy with their jobs or their employers, they don’t show up consistently, they produce less, and their work quality suffers. American Psychological Association research findings show that people want contentment, love and happiness derived from meaningful work. They want nourishing personal relationships, a healthy mind and body, a spiritual core and a reason for living. Alas, the Indian industry has often been suffering indirectly by an unhappy workforce resulting in strikes, lay-offs, slow-downs and down-sizing. Hence, it is high time that industrial houses create necessary environment that results in a happier workforce and higher productivity. Happy employees stay longer, take less sick leaves, have more motivation and energy, are more creative and have more ideas.
Dear Readers
My comments on the topic are now displayed on FE’s web page at the bottom of the piece.
Here is the link:
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/happiness-and-productivity/1246890
J S BROCA
NEW DELHI
4TH MY 2014
Dear Readers,
Here is the shortened (edited) version of my letter published in FINANCIAL EXPRESS today (13th May 2014):
A ‘happy’ work culture
This refers to the article “Happiness and productivity” (FE on Sunday, May 4). Research has shown that a happy workforce results in higher productivity. Amul, the brand leader in diary products, has even made an interesting observation on its website that most cows give more milk when they listen to music. So, not only human-beings but happy animals too yield more. Research has also established that when people aren’t happy with their jobs or their employers, they don’t show up consistently, they produce less, and their work quality suffers. American Psychological Association research findings show that people want contentment, love and happiness derived from meaningful work. They want nourishing personal relationships, a healthy mind and body, a spiritual core and a reason for living. Alas, the Indian industry has often been suffering indirectly by an unhappy workforce resulting in strikes, lay-offs, slow-downs and down-sizing. Hence, it is high time that industrial houses create necessary environment that results in a happier workforce and higher productivity. Happy employees stay longer, take less sick leaves, have more motivation and energy, are more creative and have more ideas.
JS Broca,New Delhi
13.05.14
LINK: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/letters-to-the-editor/1250070/0