At present, in the frontline teams of enterprises, happiness is a hot topic. Employees have their own interpretations of happiness and more vivid experiences. They believe that happiness does not follow a fixed formula, and the pursuit of happiness has taken on deeper and broader connotations. Let's see how employeesæ™’(spread) their happiness and interpret the formula for happiness.
Happiness = Innovation Success
"For me, innovation success is the greatest happiness. The moment when an innovation breakthrough is about to succeed is my happiest time. Innovation has brought me honor, bonuses, and recognition from my superiors. Innovation success is the source of my happiness," said Zhang Zhihao, a worker technician and station master at the No. 5 Light Hydrocarbon Station of the First Gas Team of Sinopec Shandong Dongying Petrochemical Sales Branch, with a beaming smile, during an interview on March 21.
Since the beginning of the year, Zhang Zhihao has won first, second, and third prizes in six grassroots innovation achievements and rationalization proposals within the company, earning him 4000 yuan in bonuses alone. "Yesterday I just collected my bonus from the company, almost equivalent to two months' salary. Tonight, I'm going to take a few buddies out for a good meal," Master Zhang said, laughing broadly.
The author asked Zhang Zhihao's apprentice, Sun Zegun, "What do you feel is happiness?"
"My feelings are exactly the same as Master Zhang's. I admire Master Zhang so much. His innovation ability is stronger than mine, his fame is higher, and the benefits he creates are greater. His sense of happiness is also higher than mine. But I am catching up," he said. This year, he has already broken through three innovation topics and is currently collaborating with Master Zhang on a key project. After multiple design and feasibility studies, one of their innovations has already produced spare parts and is about to enter the experimental stage. "I treat our innovation achievements like my own child. When the experiment is about to succeed, it feels like being pregnant for ten months and finally giving birth," Master Sun said excitedly.
"I feel that an employee's happiness does not depend on how much money they earn, but on whether they can turn their ideas into tangible innovations, solve real production problems, and create value for the enterprise," said Zhang Zhihao.
Indeed, frontline workers are the main force behind innovation. Innovation success is a great happiness and honor for frontline workers, and it is also an important manifestation of employee value.
Happiness = Skill Improvement
"Wow, your salary this month is over 300 yuan more than last month." On the morning of March 21, when the author visited the No. 1 Light Hydrocarbon Station of the Fifth Gas Collection Team, he encountered worker technician Su Zhipeng and employee Qi Zijian discussing their newly issued salaries.
Su Zhipeng pointed to his newly issued pay slip and said to the author, "Look, this month my skill-based salary increased by over 300 yuan. Last year, I came in second place in the company's skills competition, and the enterprise sent me for half a year of full-time training. Last month, I just received my worker technician certificate, and my skill-based salary immediately went up."
He explained to the author based on his personal experience that delivering knowledge is more effective than giving bonuses, and learning skills is more impactful than raising salaries. If an employee cannot achieve skill enhancement in their position, their sense of happiness will immediately be discounted. Happiness, of course, cannot be separated from material living security, but it should not be limited to that. We need to improve our skills to demonstrate our abilities, express our values, and achieve our life goals.
Qi Zijian, who became an electric welder two years ago, lacked the necessary qualifications for independent welding due to insufficient skill levels. However, after participating in the company's specialized training, he successfully advanced from a junior worker to a mid-level worker. He said, "I feel that happiness does not follow a fixed formula. For us employees, lacking skills is like a soldier arriving at the battlefield without knowing how to shoot. How can we talk about happiness?"
Now, the company has entrusted Qi Zijian with independent responsibility. Both of them agreed that when their superiors allow them to practice hands-on, the joy and sense of accomplishment make them feel extremely happy.
Indeed, just like farmers need to learn farming, workers need to improve their operational skills. This is the foundation of our frontline employees' well-being.
Happiness = Being Respected
"I finally succeeded!" "Congratulations!" On the afternoon of March 22, when the author arrived at the pump room of the No. 3 Compressor Station of the Second Gas Collection Team, he suddenly heard several female workers cheering.
The author quickly went over to find out what was happening. It turned out that several senior technicians were guiding Zheng Xinmeng, a transfer worker, in practicing the operation technique of replacing plungers. Finally, Zheng Xinmeng independently completed the entire process from stopping the pump, replacing the plunger, adding packing, to filling out materials, achieving the requirement of no leakage in the equipment.
"Like this, I can now independently handle my post. I grew up being pampered, with everything done for me by adults. I couldn't do anything myself. After transferring from the logistics department to the station, I received a lot of criticism from my superiors and cold treatment from my colleagues, making me unable to hold my head up. I felt powerless for a long time..." Her past seemed unbearable to recall.
Since her transfer early last year, due to poor technical skills, several teams were unwilling to accept her, which made her very depressed. Since the beginning of this year, Zheng Xinmeng has deeply understood the importance of mastering job-specific operational skills. Whenever she had free time, she would pick up books and ask senior technicians for advice whenever she didn't understand something. In less than three months, she has become relatively proficient in operational techniques, and her work has gradually gotten back on track.
"To say what happiness is, I feel that learning operations, gaining recognition from my superiors, and respect from my colleagues is my happiness," Zheng Xinmeng raised her voice and said: "I am currently the happiest person in the world." She plans to study more new knowledge next, use knowledge to "beautify" herself, master operational skills and safety techniques, improve herself in all aspects, and face new challenges with a renewed appearance, creating more happiness for herself and her team.
Indeed, for frontline workers, receiving recognition and respect from people is an important sign of feeling happiness and achieving a dignified life. Only by being recognized can one work solemnly. Everyone must have a clear understanding of their current abilities and recognize their own "weight", abandoning unrealistic expectations of happiness.