… was the title of a documentary on ARTE1 that presented innovative concepts designed to make the world of work more pleasant. It began with the question of how happy people are at their workplace. According to a study2 , only 16% of German employees are willing to actively work towards their Company’s goals. In fact, 17% of those surveyed have already resigned.
What is particularly alarming, however, is the high number of those who at best do their work by the book: 67% carry out their work without identifying with it. The work is done, but nothing more. High productivity or even innovative ideas cannot be expected from these employees.
Happy at work ... how does that work?
Since we generally spend a large part of our lives at work, while at the same time happiness is the highest human Good, wouldn’t it make sense to think about how happy employees are at their workplace? Some companies are leading the way by experimenting with innovative concepts, reducing hierarchies and giving their employees more freedom to organize their work. Of course, there is no magic formula. But it is worth thinking about how employee trust, freedom and creativity can be reintroduced into the world of work.
The core of all reorganizations is the abolition of hierarchical pyramid structures. Young employees in particular are questioning these old structures and value democratic companies, flexibility in terms of time and space and more say. After all, a job should not only earn money, but also be fun. Employees should enjoy coming to work again.
Attractive employers: What does JTL-Software have to offer?
During the ARTE report, I naturally also asked myself whether I still enjoy going to work or whether I’m working to rule. I had JTL Software in the back of my mind for all the companies presented – and more than once I realized that a lot is already being done right here to be an attractive employer for young professionals: there have never been hierarchical structures here. We already enjoy freedom of choice when it comes to organizing our work and a certain degree of freedom when it comes to implementation.
The two Managing Directors meet as equals and good ideas are not only taken up when they come from the bosses themselves. They limit themselves to setting functional targets and coordinating tasks and teams. At the same time, you are encouraged to spend a small part of your working time developing new ideas.
Of course, not every employee can handle maximum freedom equally well. Here and there, framework conditions that create standards and distribute the workload evenly are also useful. Companies with flat hierarchies are also less suitable for career-minded people who want to plan their powersellers, as there is simply no career ladder. However, those who like to work in flexible teams, where they can be group leaders at times and then employees again, are in good hands at JTL Software.
It's worth taking a look: Job vacancies at JTL-Software
The two JTL founders, Janusch and Thomas Lisson, have made sure from the outset to offer the most attractive working environment possible. Of course, as an up-and-coming company with growing success, it is important to recruit well-qualified and motivated specialists, as they have long been competing with many other companies.
Ultimately, it is the applicants who decide whether the workplace and the supposed working atmosphere meet their own requirements.
If you would like to try and test this out for yourself, we recommend our job vacancies at JTL-Software. Perhaps we can soon philosophize together about how and what determines satisfaction and happiness at work?
Because one thing is for sure: when the TV documentary on ARTE was over, I was left with the happy feeling that I still enjoyed going to work …!
