"Chief Happiness Officer" - Is that a real job title?

Truth be told, it's a relatively new position created; or renamed, in the Humindustry. Some people think that the position is a parody, but is it really? A Chief Happiness Officer is usually an HR manager on a mission to create a happier work environment. The increased use of this term reflects how more importance is now being placed on having a workforce that is contented & positively engaged. The position of CHO was reportedly introduced in the United States, but the trend is now spreading across Europe and Asia, emphasising its growing importance.
 
A CHO's basic objective is to begin initiatives that would make the employees of a firm happier. Increasingly it is being seen that employees now place more importance on how meaningful they find their work rather than their paycheck. Especially with the Millennials in the workforce, who place more emphasis on being happy rather than being paid, companies are now looking into what a CHO can offer them and their employees.

Several prominent CHOs are from Zappos (Jenn Lim), Google (Chade-Meng Tan), WooHoo (Alexander Kjerulf), and perhaps the most famous; and earliest CHO would be Ronald McDonald, the mascot of McDonalds.

A 'Chief Happiness Officer' has several objectives in mind, focussed around increasing the 'Happiness Quotient' of the workforce: -

• Treating every employee like a human being
• Covering basic needs
• Encouraging employees to voice their opinion
• Showcasing the company’s values
• Giving them creative license
• Being a cheerleader
• Enculcating teamwork
• Developing employee benefit programs
• Creating a supportive environment at work

"Productivity increase of 12% average and as high as 20% above the control group."

"Employees having a good work-life balance work 21% harder..."

• Organization Culture: the internal work environment present in the operating firm. It reflects how the employee is treated by his colleagues and leaders. An effective organizational culture should encourage employees and considers employee satisfaction to be of importance
• Employee Compensation: Most employees work because it pays. It provides the employees with security, sustenance and a certain amount of privilege. Some employees’ salary can be directly correlated to their job satisfaction
• Job Security: An employee needs to feel that he is secure in his job. Some employees are constantly hounded by the fear that they may be forced to resign their job in the future. Employers need to instill in the employees that their firm is a secure workplace.
• Career Development:  When an employee sees potential to grow in their job, they are more likely to strive harder for that promotion. Giving employees creative liberty and opportunities to climb up the ladder is ultimately going to lead the employees to become more motivated and experienced in their field of work.
• Work-Life Balance: It is highly important, especially with the Millennials and the coming generations that the employee focuses on work-life balance. Not only are employees who have a balanced work-life balance happier, they are more motivated and better team players too.  It has been estimated by the American Psychological Association that the average cost on the US economy due to stress is $500 billion... Resulting from a distorted work-life balance.

"The Average cost on the US economy due to stress is $500 billion."

The Human brain has the ability to physically change based on our circumstances and actions. We can make the decision to be happy and achieve it by consistent behavioral actions that literally re-wires our brain. It does take time, just like a Food Diet plan or joining a Gym.

“To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace.”