Better Management Through Fear and Misery

The World Future Society recently noted an item from futurists Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia of The Herman Group, who have spotted a trend toward greater employee happiness in the workplace. The Hudson Employment Index states that employee happiness has been rising throughout 2004, reaching a yearly high in August.

So what's wrong with that? Nothing, if you're an employee. But Herman and Gioia note that employees who are happy have more confidence to leave their present jobs for greener pastures, which makes this bad news if you're a manager. So note to managers: Get busy wiping those smiles off your employees' faces!!

All kidding aside, The Herman Group's Futurespeak.com site is definitely link-worthy, especially for those who follow workplace trends. Be sure to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert weekly e-mail newsletter.