The Happiness Index

CHAPTER 3Employee Engagement and Happiness

In George Orwell's book 1984, the idea of happiness is presented as meaningless. According to the infamous Big Brother, we can only survive by suppressing individual happiness and freedom. In Orwell's dystopian future, individuals are not allowed to pursue happiness because if they have freedom, they might revolt against the governing party. In modern terms, the party wanted to control how people think, feel, and behave.

In 1984, surveillance is implemented by making people believe that they are in danger and that it is therefore essential for their safety and well‐being. As lead character Winston Smith says, “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two makes four. If that is granted, all else follows.”

Nowadays it is not just super‐states that want to suppress the ideas, happiness, and creativity of individuals; organizations also attempt to do this. This relates to the misconception that productivity and employee happiness don't mix. Some organizations are consciously and unconsciously suppressing the basic human needs of their employees. This can occur in obvious ways, like distribution centers restricting toilet breaks, or law firms telling employees not to be emotional at work.

This book attempts to give individuals and organizations the insight to do their own learning and ultimately to help organizations not only survive but thrive. We call this alternative way of working the freedom to be human.

What Is the Freedom to ...