It is pretty safe to assume that the current events around the world could result in higher stress levels. From economic recessions to wars, terrorism, global warming, and the cost of health care, our lives are touched by enough challenges, tribulations, and sadness to negatively affect anyone’s mood. Naturally, with feelings of depression, sadness, and worry on the rise, employers may see their workforce’s mental health suffer. While firms are rolling out extensive employee wellness programs, one academic has looked at this issue from a slightly different perspective, suggesting that a new skill is particularly important in today’s workforce: Optimism.
According to Dr. Martin Seligman, the director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, optimism can be taught. Furthermore, one of the main goals at the Center is to create “workplaces that foster satisfaction and high productivity”.
This made me wonder what optimism-based metrics might be useful. How can organizations begin to measure the optimism of their workforce and take necessary actions to address it?
A good place to start may be Workforce Productivity. Organizations should consider the metric “Total Productivity Rate” as a basis to see how committed their employees are to their work and to the overall organization. Other metrics focused on Workforce Compensation and Benefits such as Direct Compensation Rate and Benefits Compensation Rate can be used by an organization to evaluate their benefits and compensation packages.
There is also a set of Employee Engagement survey metrics: Employee Commitment Index, Employee Engagement Index, and Employee Retention Index that provide great value in assessing an employee’s commitment to the organization, engagement in their work, and likelihood the employee will remain with the organization.
Surveys serve as a great way for organizations to get insight into the thoughts and feelings of their employees. Some key survey questions to consider asking employees would be: To what extend do you believe we are well positioned for 2010? Are you excited about our prospects for 2010?
These are just a few ideas off the top of my head of metrics that organizations can employ as a way to measure optimism in the workforce. I’d love to hear from you on how we customize measurement systems (and metrics) to reflect changes in our global environment.
Article inspired by “Today’s Economy DEMANDS A Critical Skill: Optimism”- http://www.hrmguide.com/performance/optimism.htm
More information on Dr. Seligman- http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/vitae.htm
http://www.hrmguide.com/performance/optimism.htm
Tags: Analytics, HR Analytics, HR Metrics, Human Capital, Human Capital Analytics, Metrics, skills, Skills Shortage, Workforce Analytics