Image source: IB Times
Amazon’s new Pay to Quit scheme has given a twist to Vince Lombardi’s line “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm then you’ll be fired with enthusiasm”. Perhaps stung by criticism that working in its distribution centers gives new meaning to Frederick Winslow Taylor idea of the time and motion study, Amazon has instituted a scheme that offers a no strings, no questions, one-off payment of $5000 to staff at Amazon’s fulfillment centers should they choose to resign. It’s a straight-up offer. Jeff Bezos wants his staff to be happy in their work, determined that Amazon is the right place for them, and not to have any unhappy travelers onboard.
A 2013, Gallup-Healthways survey estimated that unhappiness among workers in America cost $300 billion per year in lost productivity. A recent experiment by the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick found that happiness can boost productivity by up to 10 per cent. A happy worker uses their time more effectively without sacrificing on quality.
Here’s to happy companies.
