According to the latest report compiled by Hays Spain (2022 Labour Market Guide), More than half of Spanish workers feel job dissatisfaction.. Specifically, a 54%. According to respondents, this dissatisfaction could be alleviated, or at least reduced, through six measures: A pay rise (62%), greater recognition (37%), better opportunities for promotion and internal advancement (27%), staff changes (20%), improved working hours (20%) and better employee benefits (16%).
But, What can we do to increase the well-being of our employees? Are there measures that contribute to happiness at work, or does dissatisfaction solely depend on external factors?
Fortunately, an employee's attitude has a big impact on how they perceive their working life. Yes… we know that The employee's will and predisposition are not the only factors that influence their well-being.. There are many circumstances, such as salary or working hours, that influence job satisfaction. However, beyond that, there are actions that each person can put into practice to feel more motivated and fulfilled. Below, we share some tips with you. Take note!
Do you remember the scene with Scarlett O'Hara in ‘Gone with the Wind’?
“I call God to witness that they will not be able to bring me down. I will survive, and when it's all over, I will never go hungry again, not I nor any of mine. Even if I have to lie, steal, beg or kill, I call God to witness that I will never go hungry again!”
For many people, going to work is a kind of tribute to this famous allegory, a true drama. Not a few people see work as a way of fighting against the world to survive. They become veritable “drama queens” during office hours. Working is a genuine nightmare for them!
Isn't that a rather sad prospect? Sad and, sadly, real. For too many workers, Going to work is no more than an external obligation imposed upon us or a mere way of surviving in the world.. Do you identify with your workers using this line of thinking? Ask yourself this: what is work to them?
If one considers a necessary evilOh, a shackle or little less than Chinese torture... We have news for your worker: They have a biased view. Their perspective is far from reality. Fortunately, not everything is so black and white.
Do you recognise any of these beliefs in how some of your workers view the world of work? Quarantine them, subject them to doubt. Do you really believe you cannot contribute to their happiness?
In his book Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi analyses the origin of these overwhelmingly widespread beliefs. These cultural stereotypes are linked to ideas such as imposition, restriction of freedoms, unhappiness, or sacrifice. Do they reflect reality? No! Or, at least, they don't have to. Happiness or unhappiness does not depend on an employment contract. However, if from childhood the message has been sent that work is a source of unhappiness, how is a person going to dare to question it?
Allowing yourself to be conditioned by negative cultural stereotypes can lead to making poor decisions and adopting unhealthy emotional habits. Work can also be a path towards self-fulfilment, a source of self-discovery and personal growth.
Doesn't that sound much better?
Work may not be fun on its own, but… We can make it fun if you know how.
Are all the activities that make up the working day stimulating? In most cases, no. Or, at least, it's uncommon.
Most employees are forced to take on roles they don't particularly like.. However, we can help them learn to identify challenges and opportunities within them. According to Csikszentmihalyi, for a work activity to become a source of satisfaction, the following must be met four requirements:
Although officially the tasks may not meet these conditions, the way they are carried out can have an influence, making them a source of motivation. For example, by setting personal goals when completing them. A customer service professional who has to answer calls daily might set themselves the challenge of making each of their callers feel good. This way of approaching their duties can turn their routine on its head, making it more dynamic and personally enjoyable. Use your imagination. These strategies are applicable to all types of jobs and, in the long term, can represent a significant incentive that not only has a positive impact on the worker's life experience but also on their performance and productivity.
Being part of a team means forming bonds with many people. Although differences and contrasts can become a source of enrichment and learning, they sometimes inevitably lead to the presence of conflict. The problem is that often the origin of conflicts doesn't depend on a person in themselves. What to do then?
Trying to change others' personalities or attitudes is futile and a mistake. But all is not lost. Yes, we can help change how incidents are observed or how they are responded to.
Csikszentmihalyi identifies a common pattern in all workplace conflicts. Generally, clashes and arguments originate from a defensive feeling. When they occur, in most cases, it is because someone involved fears losing prestige. Exaggerated? Perhaps, but it's part of how they establish professional relationships.
Workers measure their sense of training and worth based on how they are treated by others.. This means they have specific parameters for measuring their relationships. Ultimately, it's about expectations, which also tend to be quite rigid. When a colleague doesn't meet them, it leads to insecurity.
Stop and think… How could a worker achieve their goals and fulfil their aims independently of the actions of other colleagues? In what way could you become a source of support to help others achieve their goals?
A large number of workers perceive their jobs as an externally imposed obligation that, far from bringing them closer to their life goals, takes them further away from them. In many cases, they do jobs they even enjoy, but that don't quite fill them enough because they are far from their most personal goals.
When an employee perceives work as a burden that steals their life and time, their workday is destined to become a factor of unhappiness. But, not so fast! Once again, it all comes down to a matter of perspective.
Help them focus on the right direction to survive this distress! Work can become a source of inspiration.
Align your career goals with your life purpose as much as possible.. In what way could your work become a source of personal growth and evolution?
Beyond negative circumstances that may exist at work (for example, stress, monotony, arguments between colleagues...), there can be significant learning opportunities, and why not, also chances to test our creativity or our ability to help others.
Help your employees save by allowing them to earmark part of their gross salary for day-to-day expenses. There are various options, such as Ticket Restaurant Transport Ticket or Nursery Ticket. This type of solution helps the employee to save monthly and to benefit when paying their Personal Income Tax. Offering the option to enjoy the Flexible remuneration is a good way to improve your employees' benefits by helping to improve their state of happiness with the company.
