Is There A Dark Side to Workplace Happiness?

I recently came across an article from The Guardian entitled The dark side of work place happiness. Of course this piqued my attention -- if you take out the words 'work place' you end up with "The dark side of happiness". I asked myself "What on earth could be the dark side of happiness?" Perhaps if we are having a good time then others will see this and be envious. Happiness does not in fact work like that -- happiness has been proven by researchers in numerous studies to be infectious.

I read with interest the three-part series (trying very hard to keep an open mind).

The author claims:

1. That privacy could be an issue. I would argue at the very core of an employee's ability to connect to a business and be engaged, is that people know who they are (they get them). If someone was having a 'down' few months then as an employer I would like to know so that I can best support that person. Depression is often triggered when a person feels completely alone... a caring friend at work helps mitigate this. Respect the individual - yes, don't pry, but happiness is created through shared experience and connection - and that is for good times and tough times.
2. A growing market for 'consultants'. Often external people can bring a different perspective and focused skills to the issue at hand. I believe this is why so many HR professionals call on recruitment consultants. And like that industry there are some better than others. Like all services you engage, you will check the credentials and track record - including our own at RED (recognise every day) and of course I have a vested interest. As one industry expert out of the US said to me recently "You are world famous in Australia for recognition."
3. Being Happy might not be professional. I'd like to know where in the 'Rule Book of Business' it is stated "Thou shall not have fun at work?" One of the reasons I was so committed to the culture at RedBalloon was because I wanted to work in a place I wanted to work in. I spent many years of my career working in places which were soul destroying. Where I worked long, long hours - and no one ever said thank you. As a best employer for five years - I can guarantee you that we are not running a kindergarten - in fact to the contrary we challenge people to do their best work. And then we celebrate their achievements through recognition.

Happiness is a productivity tool. If you are happy, have a friend at work, some one notices what you do, then guess what... You go home feeling like a winner. And because happiness is shared, the world is a better place.

I love this little video clip which tells the story so simply.

Naomi Simson is the founding director of Australian online tech success story RedBalloon. She has written more than 800 blog posts at NaomiSimson.com, is a professional speaker, author of Live what you Love (pre-order now) and now TV personality on Channel 10’s Shark Tank (airing January 2015). Get to know her further on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.