March can be a long, tough month that seems to drag on and on—especially during a true Canadian winter, when it’s not uncommon to have snow in April. These conditions, combined with the ongoing work crunch in a lukewarm economic recovery, may have your employees feeling a little down these days. But now there’s a new solution to boost employee morale and productivity: happiness coaching.
According to the Globe and Mail, happiness coaching aims to help employees adopt positive attitudes. Drawing on psychology principles and using practices such as meditation and expressions of gratitude, it encourages employees to take responsibility for their own moods, and to be open to the possibility that staffing changes and other such workplace events aren’t inherently negative.
Sure, it sounds a bit hokey…but it may be a growing workplace trend. Supporters say it works, and the Globe and Mail reports that big-name employers like American Express and KPMG are getting on board.
All this is not to suggest that employers use happiness coaching to mask real workplace problems, such as unduly stressed and overburdened employees. And whether or not you buy into this specific strategy, it does make sense to find creative ways to promote a positive work environment.
When financial compensation is limited, employers would do well to remember that it’s the little things that make a difference. Flexible work schedules, skills development and career advancement opportunities…even just a group lunch out on a Friday afternoon can break up the daily routine. Management support, including public recognition for work well done, can go a long way toward enhancing employee happiness and improving job satisfaction. Outside of annual performance reviews, when was the last time you told your staff, “You’re doing a great job! Keep up the good work”?
For my part, I’m not convinced that happiness coaching will make me feel better about the dark winter days still ahead. But it is a good reminder about the power of positive thinking—and, more importantly, of providing positive reinforcement to employees when they need it the most. BC
Alyssa Hodder is Editor of Benefits Canada.
alyssa.hodder@rci.rogers.com
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© Copyright 2010 Rogers Publishing Ltd. This article first appeared in the March 2010 edition of BENEFITS CANADA magazine.