According to the latest report by Hays Spain (Labour Market Guide 2022), more than half of Spanish workers feel job dissatisfaction. Specifically, 54%. According to the respondents, this dissatisfaction could be alleviated or at least reduced in six ways: a salary increase (62%), more recognition (37%), more possibilities for promotion and internal advancement (27%), personnel changes (20%), improved working hours (20%) and more social benefits (16%).
But, What can we do to increase the well-being of our workers? Are there measures that contribute to happiness at work or does dissatisfaction only depend on external factors?
Fortunately, the employee's attitude has a big impact on the way they perceive their working life. Yes... We know that the employee's willingness and predisposition are not the only factor influencing his or her wellbeing. There are many circumstances, such as salary or working hours, that influence well-being at work. However, beyond that, there are actions that everyone can take to feel more motivated and fulfilled. Here are a few tips for you to take note of!
Remember Scarlet O'Hara's scene in ‘Gone with the Wind’?
“As God is my witness, they will not be able to bring me down. I will survive, and when it is all over, I will never go hungry again, neither I nor any of my people. Even if I have to lie, steal, beg, or kill, as God is my witness, I will never go hungry again!”
For many people, going to work is a kind of tribute to this famous allegory, a real drama. There are many who see work as a way of fighting against the world in order to survive, and they become real “drama queens” during office hours. They become real "drama queens" during office hours: working is a real nightmare for them!
Isn't that a rather sad approach? Sad and, sadly, real. For too many workers, attending work is nothing more than an externally imposed obligation or merely a way of surviving in the world.. Do you identify your workers with this line of thinking? Ask yourself this: what is work for them?
If one considers a necessary evilo, a shackle or little less than Chinese torture... We have news for your worker: He has a biased view. Your perspective is far from reality. Fortunately, not everything is so black and white.
Do you identify any of these beliefs in the way some of your employees see the world of work? Do you really believe that 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 correspond to reality? No! Or at least they do not have to. Happiness or unhappiness does not depend on an employment contract. However, if the message has been sent from childhood that working is a source of unhappiness, how can anyone dare to question it?
Allowing oneself to be conditioned by negative cultural stereotypes can lead to bad decisions and emotionally unhealthy habits. Working can also be a path to self-realisation, a source of self-discovery and personal growth.
Doesn't it sound much better?
Working 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 they are not. Or, at least, it is rare.
Most employees are forced to take on roles they don't like very much.. However, we can help them learn to identify challenges and opportunities within them. According to Csikszentmihalyi, in order for a work activity to become a source of satisfaction, the following must be met four requirements:
Even if the functions do not officially meet these conditions, the way in which they are carried out can have an influence, making them a source of motivation. For example, by setting personal goals when carrying them out. A customer service professional who has to answer calls on a daily basis may be challenged to make each caller feel good. This approach can turn their routine around, making it more dynamic and personally enjoyable. Use your imagination. These strategies are applicable to all types of roles and, in the long run, can be an important incentive that not only has a positive impact on the employee's life experience, but also on their performance and productivity.
Being part of a staff means establishing links with many people.. Although differences and contrasts can be a source of enrichment and learning, sometimes they inevitably lead to conflicts. The problem is that often the source of conflict is not a person per se. What to do then?
Trying to change the personality or attitude of others is futile and a mistake. But all is not lost. We can help change the way incidents are observed or responded to.
Csikszentmihalyi identifies a pattern common to all conflicts at work. In general, clashes and arguments have their origin in a sense of defensiveness. When they occur, in most cases, it is because one of the parties involved is afraid of losing face. Exaggerated? Maybe, but it is part of the way they establish professional relationships.
Workers measure their sense of empowerment and worth by how they are treated by others.. This means that they have specific parameters by which to measure their relationships. In the end, these are expectations which, moreover, tend to be quite rigid. When a partner does not meet them, insecurity sets in.
Stop and think... How could a worker meet their goals and achieve their aims independently of the actions of other colleagues? In what ways could you become a source of support for others to 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, distances them from them. In many cases, they have jobs that they even enjoy, but which are not fulfilling enough for them. because they are distanced from their more personal goals.
When an employee perceives work as a burden that robs him of his life and time, his working day is bound to become a factor of unhappiness. But not so fast! Again, it is again a question of perspective.
Help him to focus in the right direction to survive this unrest! Work can become a source of inspiration.
Align as much as possible your work goals with your life purpose.. In what ways could your work become a source of personal growth and evolution?
Beyond the negative circumstances that may exist at work (e.g. stress, monotony, arguments between colleagues...) there may be important opportunities to learn and, why not, also to test our creativity or our ability to help others.
Help your employees save by allowing them to allocate part of their gross salary to day-to-day expenses. There are different modalities, such as Ticket Restaurant Transport Ticket o Childcare Ticket. This type of solution helps the employee to make monthly savings and to benefit when it comes to their personal income tax. Offering the option to take advantage of the flexible compensation is a good way to improve your employees' benefits by helping to improve their state of happiness with the company.
