Most agree that societies should foster the happiness of their people. After all, the U.S. Founding Fathers recognized the "inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness."
Similarly, various philosophers have pondered "the greatest good for the greatest number" as the ideal, while the impoverished Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has famously adopted the goal of Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than Gross National Product (GNP).
When we shift the onus to a specific profession or an employer, however, the waters get murky. Is happiness a truly subjective experience, and why is it so elusive? Furthermore, whom can we blame and/or sue?
Massive company cutbacks and crippling consumer debt have resulted in mounting pressures and responsibilities putting fetters on our happiness. Dramatically shaping today's workforce are the under-employed, the unemployed, and the "Yes, I'm employed but want to scream most of the time."
The latter is perhaps the most fortunate, but don't dare remind them. Inadequately compensated and overworked, the employed must deal with the drone of anxiety that the gig could—at virtually any moment and without forewarning or provocation—slip through our fingers, resulting in near destitution. Because if there is one thing we all seem anxious about, it is doing without, so says Alain de Botton, one of my favorite modern-day philosophers and rock star of Claims October cover story.
"A sharp decline in actual deprivation may, paradoxically, have been accompanied by an ongoing and even escalating sense of fear of deprivation," he says in Status Anxiety.
Of course, he is also referring to creature comforts and not just being deprived of job fulfillment, fair pay, or actual employment. Even if you believe the exploration of happiness in general borders on frivolity, I urge you to hear me out. Because, based on this year's Claims Salary Survey results, we may all do well to trade in a dollars-and-cents approach to compensation for a more philosophical one…at least for the moment.
As with other sectors, claims professionals are being asked—and not always nicely—to do more with less. You'll notice the conspicuous absence of salary information in this year's initial survey analysis. That's because the real "story" of the 2012 iteration is in the sentiment, as one survey participant reminds us. This chief claims officer with 19 years of claims-handling experience seemed to sum up the feelings of many in saying:
"When you look around at the economy and see people struggling to make ends meet, I just can't complain. We think we deserve more, but am fairly paid for the most part and not only enjoy my job but also get to help people."
Are you happy at work? Why or why not…and whom should be held responsible?
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