In pursuit of happiness at work: exploring the role of psychological capital and coping in managing COVID-19 stress among Indian employees

Purpose Employee happiness is crucial in any organization as happy employees are said to be more committed in their work. However, COVID-19 stress in the current situation is a major problem for employees and it can negatively influence their happiness level. Therefore, it is critical to understand how the stressful nature of the current pandemic threatens workplace happiness. Based on conservation of resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989), this study aims to examine the resources to be protected (i.e. psychological capital) and resource investment (i.e. coping) to ensure the happiness of the employees amidst a bio-psycho-socioeconomic crisis like COVID-19 pandemic. The study explores the mediating role of psychological capital and the moderating effect of coping on the relationship between COVID-19 stress and employee happiness. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from the Indian working population by means of purposive sampling (N = 336). Standardized instruments were used to measure the variables under study. Data analysis were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 20.0 and Analysis of Moment Structure 20.0 software tools and PROCESS macro was used for mediation and moderation analysis. Findings Structural equation modelling analysis showed that COVID-19 stress negatively influenced employee happiness; whereas psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between these two variables. Further, coping was found to buffer against the harmful implications of COVID-19 stress on employee happiness. Originality/value In an effort to respond timely to the present pandemic scenario, the current study provides an account of the harmful effects of COVID-19-related stress on the workplace happiness of the Indian service sector employees. The study also offers insights into the possible mediating and moderating mechanisms in this relationship.

JOB SATISFACTION AND INDIVIDUAL HAPPINESS AMONG EMPLOYEES AT A PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

Employees are the most important asset of organizations. Making them happy with their workplace and the work itself will benefit not only the employees but also the organizations. Employee satisfaction is also based on their awareness of future development. Hence, this paper aims to determine the relationship between job satisfaction and five variables of pay, colleague, management, nature of work and promotion toward individual happiness. Data were collected from 126 respondents from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTEM), a public higher education institution in Malaysia using simple random sampling. Subsequently, the data were derived using SPSS Version 22.0. The findings indicated that there is a positive relationship between pay, colleague, management, nature of work, and promotion. Based on the results, the nature of work and promotion are the most important factors that influence employee happiness, thus leading to job satisfaction. Moreover, the result from the hypothesis test revealed that there is a significant relationship between pay, colleague, management, nature of work, and promotion. These findings may guide the implementation of policies by human resources or other organization management in a higher education institution. For instance, they may use job happiness (mental well-being) as a predictor of employee behaviors and then formulate recruitment policies that will help maintain employee happiness and satisfaction, thereby helping in employee retention.

Study from Spain shows how clan and adhocracy cultures help to foster the internal CSR practices which improve worker happiness

Purpose The authors felt there was a lack of prior evidence about the antecedents of internal CSR and its relationship with employees’ happiness. The study considered the role of organizational culture as a determinant of internal CSR actions. Design/methodology/approach The authors questioned 921 employees of companies from various sectors in Spain. The respondents mainly worked for service and industrial companies with fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover above 250,000 euros. They were mostly men, mainly well-educated and the average age was 38.5. They were surveyed using a questionnaire with 59 questions assessing internal CSR processes (20 items), organizational culture (24 items) and employee happiness (15 items). Findings The results showed that clan and adhocracy cultures are positively and significantly associated with internal CSR practices. In the case of hierarchy culture, it is positively related to adaptability to change and occupational health and safety. But the results did not support the hypotheses related to market culture as only its relationship with adaptability to change was positive. The data also indicated the significant and positive effect of internal CSR on employee happiness. Originality/value The authors believe their study has implications for practitioners and policymakers. They argue that organizations should try to develop cultures that help to promote internal CSR, which means adhocracy and clan. Meanwhile, there are also practical implications for researchers. First, the model integrates happiness, which is rare in CSR studies. Second, the study addresses a gap in the research about how company culture acts as an antecedent to internal CSR. Third, the study generates knowledge about internal CSR from the perspective of employees.

Happiness at Work and Motivation for a Sustainable Workforce: Evidence from Female Hotel Employees

Employment practices that support happiness at work are critical tools for developing a sustainable workforce. In today’s challenging environment, both economically and environmentally, the contribution of a sustainable workforce, which is the most critical asset for hospitality businesses to survive and succeed, cannot be ignored. This study explores the effects of motivational dimensions on happiness at work. These relationships were evaluated using the SPSS for Windows 25.0 and AMOS 23.0 programs. For this purpose, data were collected from 271 female employees in various four- and five-star hotels in North Cyprus. As predicted, the results revealed that motivational dimensions affect the dimensions of happiness at work. This study confirmed that a better understanding of employees’ needs and demands would encourage motivation and result in happier employees. The findings offer important implications for hospitality industry organizations seeking to maximize employee happiness in the workplace and strive for the sustainability of their workforce.

The Impact of Work From Home to Work Life-Balance and Its Implication to Employee Happiness: The Moderating Role of Organizational Support

Working from home was an increasing phenomenon to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although WFH has been expendable well documented, there are still limited studies related to the subject of life balance, happiness and organizational support. This study aimed to figure out; 1) The influence of work from home on work-life balance, 2) The influence of work-life balance on happiness, 3) The moderating role of organizational supports towards work from home and work-life balances. The respondents used in this research were the 94 lecturers who worked in Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana. The study was done in a quantitative method through cross-sectional data and non-probability sampling method. The analysis model used was Path Analysis, Moderated Regression Analysis and Simple Regression test. The result of this research indicates that WFH has positive effects on WLB and WLB has positive effects on employee happiness. The testing done on moderating effect appeared that organizational support does not moderate the effects of WFH on WLB. Apart from that, theoretical and practical implications were also given in this research.

FURXHI Gentisa HAPPINESS IN THE WORKPLACE

The nature of workplace has dramatically changed in the new area of economy. Nowadays employeers are investing for better workplace environment. The organizational culture and cimate must encourage the employees to flourish and be their best selves. The perfect workplace is supposted to make the employees happy by giving the people flexibility and autonomy as to where and how they work, built on a culture of growth and trust. That is because happines in the workplace is like a symbiotic relationship which offers mutual benefits to both employees and employers. Key words: employee happiness; workplace; productivity; well being