Felicidade no ambiente de trabalho: realidade ou utopia?

Abstract

This study aims to identify and describe the perception of (in) happiness in the workplace. This is an exploratory and qualitative study carried out in a large Brazilian electric power company, with its own staff and admitted through a tender. In order to evaluate professionals who performed different jobs in the same company, in the intentional sampling choice, workers from two major areas of the company were merged: the financial area and the area of generation and transmission of electric energy. Although the number of women represents only 14% of the total number of workers, the sample was balanced to obtain the opinion of both genders. Sixteen workers were interviewed. The professionals are financial analysts with different backgrounds (accounting / administration / economics), electrical engineers, financial-administrative technicians, as well as operating / control technicians. In the interviews, an own and semi-structured script was used. Pre-tests and necessary adjustments were performed. It was sought to open up for the professional to essentially relate their options regarding the theme of happiness and unhappiness at work as well as the subjective relationship between health and happiness. The age group of workers interviewed was between 23 and 50 years old and the average working time in the company was 15 years. Using the qualitative analysis of the data, which is the speech of the workers, it was identified that the work represents a role of paramount importance in their lives and a fundamental factor for the happiness of the individuals. The same provides financial security of own and family, in addition to establishing social relationships of a professional and personal nature that, in a way, sustain and give meaning to the work itself. Reports were identified in which the worker's health was compromised by the work environment that did not contribute to happiness as it undermined creativity and subjectivity, thus generating frustration, which affects mental and emotional health. The workers interviewed not only believe that happiness in the work environment can be a reality as they yearn for it. The points that make for a happier work environment are mentioned, which are: trust, cooperation, clear and sincere communication, team interaction, challenge, justice, feedback, recognition, Friendship and fellowship in interpersonal relationships as well as balanced management. They affirm, however, that for this to happen, many of today's working conditions must be modified.