When your job becomes your work!!!

“Job” and “work” are usually used interchangeably as substitutes but the two have similar yet different meanings. To start with let me explain what I mean when I say “job” and “work”. The word “job” comes from the Middle English word “gobbe” which means “lump or mass”. It is a noun that is used to refer to work that an individual does for a living, it can be defined as “an activity and individual performs in exchange for a specific fee or payment. The word “work” comes from the high old English word “weorc” or old Germen word “worc” which means something done, action, or business, it can be defined as “a physical or mental activity that is performed in order to accomplish or produce something which leads to non-monetary benefits.

The population of India is around 1.25 billion, out of which only 20% of the population is employed. So based on this statistics we understand that it is not very easy for a person in India to find a job, hence people tend to cling on to any sort of job they get. We have a diverse talent pool but not many organisations to recognise it and even the talent has a hard time aligning oneself with the job he can be satisfied with. Out of that 80% of people are not happy with their job, just to build up a resume, support a family people tend to make them suffer under any job.

Every individual doesn’t get an opportunity to pursue their passion as their career option. Karōshi (過労死?), is a common term in Japan which literally translates to “work death”, is occupational suicide induced by overwork related stresses. This phenomenon is also widespread in South Korea, where it is referred as ‘gwarosa’ (過勞死). In China, it is called ‘guolaosi’ (死). This happens when a person is not passionate about their job.

QUESTION YOURSELF

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH YOUR JOB?
DO I KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AT WORK?
DO I HAVE THE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT THAT I NEED IN ORDER TO DO MY WORK RIGHT?
IS THERE SOMEONE AT WORK WHO ENCOURAGES MY DEVELOPMENT?
AT WORK, DO MY OPINIONS SEEM TO COUNT?

People whose job becomes their work are the people who inspire others and achieve great heights. These are the people who love their job, their job is their passion, and they don’t feel it to be burdens they conquer each day with a big bright smile. Researchers have found a positive correlation between job satisfaction and organisational performance.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND MOTIVATION

The role of any organisation is to keep an employee motivated and engaged in his job. The organisation should provide a nurturing cocoon for their growth and development.

Satisfaction level of employees across the world:

How can we convert jobs to work, simple ways to make your employees feel valued and motivated?

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT STARTS AT THE TOP: Leaders must demonstrate support.

FOCUS ON COMMUNICATION THE CORNERSTONE OF ENGAGEMENT: Successful leaders recognize the power of a robust communication plan, built on clarity, consistency, and transparency.

CREATE A MOTIVATIONAL CULTURE: Leaders cannot motivate employees long-term. Leaders must create motivational cultures.

HIRE AND PROMOTE THE RIGHT BEHAVIOURS AND TRAITS FOR YOUR CULTURE: Although we place much emphasis on one’s educational background and skills, people generally succeed or fail because of their behaviours and traits.

CREATE FEEDBACK MECHANISMS: Companies need to ask employees what they think.

INDIVIDUALIZE YOUR ENGAGEMENT: Your philosophy should go beyond “treat people they way you want to be treated”.

LINK YOUR ENGAGEMENT METHODS TO HIGH PERFORMANCE: The last thing an organisation want is a satisfied but underperforming employee.

 

 

References:
http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_And_You/economic_activity.aspx
https://www.ted.com/talks/scott_dinsmore_how_to_find_work_you_love#t-97536
http://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2013/07/10/4-simple-ways-to-make-your-employees-feel-valued/#7fc43834dd69
https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/job-satisfaction-survey/
http://hiring.monster.com/hr/hr-best-practices/workforce-management/employee-retention-strategies/employee-engagement-tips.aspx
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/worst-companies-to-work-for_us_575b26b0e4b0e39a28ada793http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/worst-companies-to-work-for_us_575b26b0e4b0e39a28ada793

By – Abhilasha Bakhla –Summer Interns – B. Arch from BIT MESRA & Pursuing MBA in HR – IIM Ranchi
Supervision By – Rishi Raman