Can people really be happy at work?

In the world of HR, the stats and data on people management, diversity, equality, absence, engagement and everything else in between usually makes for grim reading. There may be success stories but mostly we get to hear about the lack of progress. And even more grim is the cost of conflict. A paper, titled The Cost of Conflict at Work and Its Impact on Productivity (University of Westminster 2023), estimates that,

conflict at work costs the UK around ￡28.5 billion per year, which is around ￡1,000 on average for every UK worker; and suggests that about 9.7 million employees experience conflict at work in the UK each year.

These figures are eye-watering - and I guess we shouldn't be surprised, because, when we carry on doing the same things, inevitably, it leads to getting the same results! Further, despite the gazillions of books written on every possible area of people management and leadership, this knowledge and information is not turned into action - a bit like a training courses - we attend them, like them, go back to work and carry on doing the same thing.

Call me a cynic but really I'm not - I am an optimist and there has to be a better way.

And there is......

The way is a word - a word that is being used and embraced more than ever due to current events, circumstances and challenges facing the world right now. This word is a multifaceted and essential concept in human society, encompassing the absence of conflict, tranquility, harmony, cooperation, and inner well-being. It is a symbol and an ideal that influences various aspects of human life, from international diplomacy to personal happiness.

And that word is,

Peace

What would work life be like if our interactions with others were driven by ways that promoted peace at work, where our words, actions and behaviours were underpinned by a desire to understand and positively impact others. It's often the case that when you change things in one area, other areas fall into place, like a ripple effect; peace driven interactions could create a similar mass ripple effect where conflict at work is resolved or just goes away. Over time, our human would evolve to greater levels of compassion and understanding - we'd have graduated up the spiral of evolution - a bit like moving from nursery to year 4!

If more people experienced peace at work it would surely have a profound and positive effect on our individual lives, at work and society as a whole.

Here are some potential outcomes:

1. Reduced Stress: A peaceful work environment can help reduce stress levels. Lower stress leads to better mental and physical health, and it can help prevent burnout and other stress-related conditions.
2. Improved Mental Health: When workplaces prioritize peace, they often provide support for mental health. This can include counseling services, flexible schedules, or simply fostering a culture where it's acceptable to discuss mental health concerns.
3. Better Work-Life Balance: Peaceful workplaces are often more accommodating of work-life balance. They might offer flexible hours, remote work options, or shorter workweeks, which allow employees to spend more time with their families and pursue personal interests.
4. Increased Productivity: Peaceful work environments tend to be more conducive to concentration and productivity. Fewer distractions, less office politics, and more supportive management can lead to better output.
5. Enhanced Creativity: A peaceful work environment encourages creativity and innovation. When employees feel relaxed and unburdened by stress, they are more likely to think outside the box and come up with new ideas.
6. Better Relationships: Peaceful workplaces promote positive relationships among colleagues. This can lead to a more harmonious and cooperative atmosphere, reducing conflicts and improving teamwork.
7. Job Satisfaction: Employees in peaceful work environments tend to be more satisfied with their jobs. This can lead to higher retention rates, as satisfied employees are less likely to leave their jobs.
8. Increased Engagement: Peaceful workplaces often foster greater employee engagement. When employees feel their well-being is valued, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work.
9. Healthier Lifestyle Choices: Reduced stress and a better work-life balance can also lead to healthier lifestyle choices. People may have more time for exercise, relaxation, and healthier eating when they are not overwhelmed by work stress.
10. Overall Well-being: Ultimately, a more peaceful work environment contributes to an overall sense of well-being. When people are happier at work, they tend to be happier in their personal lives as well.
11. Social Benefits: A peaceful work environment can extend its benefits to the broader society. When people are less stressed and more content at work, they are often more engaged in their communities and may contribute positively to society.
12. Better Relationships: Inner peace often leads to more empathy, patience, and understanding. This could result in healthier and more harmonious relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
13. Higher Levels of Tolerance and Acceptance: Inner peace often results in greater tolerance for diversity in all its forms, including culture, religion, and ethnicity. This would lead to a more inclusive and accepting society.

As I reread the above list, it seems like utopia, doesn't it! But I believe it's a vision we could all work towards. And think of the amount of time, energy and money that would be saved - there'd be very little conflict, absence, firefighting, stress, burnout, pointless meetings, misunderstandings, the lot - just minor skirmishes from time to time - it makes a 3 day week even more possible than a 4 day one when you factor out the time spent dealing with all the pain! Business goals would be achieved more easily. Who knows, there might not even be a need for HR!

I am reminded of my wonderful friend Clive Wilson who is soon to release his third published book 'Leading Beyond Sustainability'. The book has a focus on 6 Aspirations for a Brighter Future, one of which is 'Peace' - I look forward to reading it when it's launched in 2024.

Finally, it cannot be understated how organisations have so much 'people power' to do so much good and make profit. What if 'Achieving Peace' became their single driving force. What if....

As I end this article, I am convinced this is the way forward, in fact, it seems like a no brainer.

Thanks for reading!

Debbie