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Send In the Fungineers!

As more and more companies employ 'happiness engineers', proud curmudgeon Oliver Burkeman asks whether prescribing or enforcing workplace fun is ever a good idea.

鈥淎re we having fun yet?!鈥 There is a growing trend for companies, particularly in fields of technology and new media, to employ happiness engineers or - in at least one case - 'fabulous facilitators' to boost morale among the workforce. Oliver Burkeman, psychology writer and proud curmudgeon, is a firm believer that forced fun is no fun. He is appalled and perplexed by the idea that happiness should be prescribed - even enforced - in our workplaces. In episode 4 of The Power of Negative Thinking, Oliver explores a phenomenon that has come to be called 鈥榝ungineering鈥. He meets a 鈥楬ead of Happiness鈥, and asks what really motivates employees and makes them happy.

Available now

14 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Thu 24 Nov 2016 13:45
  • Mon 2 Aug 2021 09:30