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Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

tribunemag.co.uk

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Re: Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

#21

Post by granshaw »

varispeed wrote: post #15
germinalphrase wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I realize this is a forum that caters to tech folks who might be accustomed to these kinds of perquisites, but I’m pretty sure you’re describing the default state of employment for the vast majority of people. No free food. No restaurant lunches everyday. No attention paid to employee mental health/wellbeing.

That's definitely true. I remember well when I wasn't able to afford a restaurant meal, but a manager was taking us out for lunch to quite expensive ones, my partner was crying that we weren't going out for ages and I am going to restaurants. That put me in a bad place mentally. She even asked me if I could get some leftovers home, but I couldn't get myself to ask that as other employees wouldn't ask. I didn't want t…

Wow that’s really sad to hear, hope both of your situation has improved

Re: Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

#22

Post by rexreed »

toxik wrote: post #10
teddyh wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> awesome couching sessions Did you mean “coaching”? Or is “couching” some new SV term I am unfamiliar with?

A good couching session relaxes even the most stressed up worker

Sounds like an HR compliance issue

Re: Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

#23

Post by kumarvvr » 

  Workplace wellbeing

  Wholesome workplace

  Workplace is a family
and a myriad of other touchy-feely terms are just plain bullshit. Whole industries have cropped up to support the efforts of managements to keep workforces in control and deflect resentment (people don't leave companies, they leave managers ! and other crap)

The ground reality is when the company feels you are not needed, all that touch-feely stuff goes down the drain.

No, my company is not my family. I may have good friends and great co-workers, but, at the end of the day, I only have the amount of loyalty to the company, as much as it has towards me.

Perhaps its time the internet comes up with training sessions that promote the real face of large corporations.

Re: Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

#24

Post by iamacyborg »

JackPoach wrote: post #7

Did working conditions really got much worse over the past 20 years? Or are people just becoming more entitled? I agree with the premise that workplace wellbeing is a bunch of BS (and just a small part of much large corporate BS universe), but is 2021 much different from 2001? I understand blue collar complaints and unfortunate situation workers found themselves in after union busting or outsourcing. But what's gotte…

> Did working conditions really got much worse over the past 20 years?

In terms of salary and purchasing power in Western countries, yes I think so.

Re: Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

#25

Post by bregma »

teddyh wrote: post #9
craig_asp wrote: post #5

Every time someone (usually someone from HR) tries to point out how great a company is because of its great perks like awesome couching sessions (not actual training), great team-building events, the best coffee machine ever, table tennis, etc. and how these somehow compensate for a subpar salary offer, I tell them: you just pay me well, give me more time off, and I'll handle all that myself.

> awesome couching sessions Did you mean “coaching”? Or is “couching” some new SV term I am unfamiliar with?

I've seen videos of "couching sessions" on the internet. I don't think they're entirely work-appropriate activities for my line of employment.

Re: Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

#26

Post by jp555 »

"one of the biggest causes of stress in the workplace is a lack of decision-making power among workers."

You know what's also more stressful? Having to make more decisions in domains outside my circle of competence.

Give me total autonomy in my area, while also not burdening me with having to contribute to EVERY decision.

Re: Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

#27

Post by vagrantJin »

JackPoach wrote: post #7

Did working conditions really got much worse over the past 20 years? Or are people just becoming more entitled? I agree with the premise that workplace wellbeing is a bunch of BS (and just a small part of much large corporate BS universe), but is 2021 much different from 2001? I understand blue collar complaints and unfortunate situation workers found themselves in after union busting or outsourcing. But what's gotte…

Maybe entitled is the word but I think people just want to be miserable in peace, rather than having clown shows to remind them that they are indeed miserable.

Re: Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

#28

Post by kumarvvr »

JackPoach wrote: post #7

Did working conditions really got much worse over the past 20 years? Or are people just becoming more entitled? I agree with the premise that workplace wellbeing is a bunch of BS (and just a small part of much large corporate BS universe), but is 2021 much different from 2001? I understand blue collar complaints and unfortunate situation workers found themselves in after union busting or outsourcing. But what's gotte…

Yeah, working conditions have become much worse. I am not sure if there is data to prove this, but my gut feeling is that employees are more productive and their compensation has not kept up to the increased productivity.

Alternatively, I would really love to keep the same pay levels, but reduced working hours, to account for increased productivity.

Re: Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

#29

Post by dan-robertson »

> in order for employees to actually be well, they need high wages, plenty of time off, and good healthcare

I feel like this is the point of the first half of the article. Obviously if you work for a generous, profitable company, and you get good remuneration, healthcare and work–life balance, then workplace wellbeing may be honest and beneficial for both employers and employees (this side doesn’t seem to be mentioned in the article). If you work for a company that pays poorly, has poor benefits, and low margins, then workplace wellbeing is more of the same. That all seems pretty obvious (there are benefits which are perhaps harder to fake, like pay or vacation days or limited working hours per week.) I suppose there is also a third kind of wealthy employer which tries to pamper employees into not wanting things the employer doesn’t want (eg collective bargaining).

The first half of the article seems to just be a vehicle for a proposed solution to poor working conditions, which doesn’t really seem so connected to workplace wellbeing.

Re: Workplace Wellbeing Is a Scam?

#30

Post by pc86 »

varispeed wrote: post #20
quietbritishjim wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What you're describing sounds totally different from the wellness program described in the article. What the article describes is something that seems to be totally targetted at individuals. If you desire them, and get paid enough, you could just get them yourself - there's no reason for the company to get involved. What you're describing are more like team building. Enforced lunches or dinners with coworkers are not…

In many workplaces lunch breaks are not paid. I view my lunch break as a sacred time for myself and as an introvert I use this time to recharge. Unfortunately employers don't see these schemes as discriminatory. Any team building stuff means that HR didn't do a great job at hiring and since often it is difficult to let people go, they do that to "patch things up". Regarding optional programs, sure these exist - unfor…

> Any team building stuff means that HR didn't do a great job at hiring

This is just wrong. Team building has a place like anything else and reasonable people can disagree about how much is too much.

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