And the pursuit of happiness - Future Focus - people generally like to work, if the work is meaningful - Brief Article

HR Magazine, April, 2002 by Dave Patel

We are all entitled to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." So says our Declaration of Independence. Lots has been said and written about life and liberty, but what exactly does that troublesome phrase "the pursuit of happiness" mean?

Is happiness the same as joy? Is it the same as pleasure? Is the happiness of the bubble economy different from whatever happiness we may feel amidst continual FBI warnings of potential terrorism?

These and other thoughts were covered in the Forbes ASAP annual "Big Issue" in February. The answers to these questions may have a profound impact on workers, employers and the workplace.

Longitudinal surveys on the pursuit of happiness, and about what people draw meaning from in their lives, can be distilled to a handful of categories: family, faith, relationships, being involved in a greater cause, work.

Yes, work. On a general level, people like to work. Presented with the opportunity to quit our jobs and never work again, most of us probably would take a break--maybe go on that dream vacation--then become involved in an activity we really like. In other words, we'd go back to work. Just look at the dot-com millionaires who rejected the prospect of non-stop golf in favor of starting philanthropic and other ventures.

Of course, sudden financial windfalls aren't in the cards for most of us. But all of us are affected by demographics, technology, globalization and the events of Sept. 11. And those factors are changing the meaning of work--and how we define our pursuit of happiness in the workplace.

People are re-evaluating what they do for most of their waking day, and many seem to be deciding that their jobs are not leading to the pursuit of happiness. For example, applications for work in non-profit organizations and the public sector have increased substantially since Sept. 11. And the number of employees planning on taking vacation this year jumped 10 percent compared to last year, according to a survey from Xylo Inc., a company that specializes in work/life issues.

The recession may be alleviating staffing shortages for now, but demographers forecast tight labor markets for the long-term. Given these labor conditions, employers may need to find ways to make workers feel a part of a greater whole, either by granting time off for volunteer work, by offering flexible schedules or sabbaticals so employees can spend more time doing things they value more than work, or by showing employees how the company's products contribute to the betterment of society. For example, the medical research firm Medtronic--rated by Fortune as one of the 100 best U.S. companies to work for--brings together employees and customers who have been helped by Medtronic products so employees can see the value of their work.

Several studies have shown that we value work as a thing in itself, so people will always work. But the value we place on work will continue to change and evolve. As employers look at the post-Sept. 11 world, they may need to keep in mind how workers' pursuit of happiness may have been affected and plan accordingly.

For more information on emerging issues, visit www.shrm.org/ trends.

Dave Patel is the manager of workplace trends and forecasting at SHRM.