Bloomberg reports that large American corporates, struggling to enthuse their employees with ‘back to the office’ rhetoric, are employing ever more contrived job requirements and monitoring, to inject ‘joy’ into their workplaces. Examples cited include Tiffany & Co., where executives required staffers to post and engage more with ‘Tiffany Joy’, an internal app designed to boost morale. Employees mockingly gave the app a new nickname “Forced Joy”.

Starbucks have introduced a requirement that employees add a handwritten note or emoji to each takeaway cup. Ideas were circulated by memo for employees who were unsure what to say. It seems that Starbucks cannot rely on employees being motivated to enhance customer experience and pass-on their own ‘joie de vivre’ organically, so are having to make it a job requirement. 

As the Bloomberg article concludes, happy and engaged employees are good for business. But so is creating an environment where workers can effectively do their jobs and find their own sources of workplace joy. Companies might find that if they invest in the latter, the former will organically follow – no faking it required.

Speak to Jon Dunkley

Jon is a Partner at Wollens and can advise you. Contact Jon via email jon.dunkley@wollens.co.uk or call 01271 341021.

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