Happiness in workplace ‘a two-way street’

Terri Giron-Gordon’s new book “It Takes Work to Be Happy” has been percolating for 10 years.

Its publication in 2012 was a result of years of Giron-Gordon’s observations as the CEO and president of GenQuest, a human resources consulting firm, and as a mediator for other businesses.

	“It Takes Work to Be Happy – Tips, Tales and Testimonies” by Terri Giron-Gordon with Ovetta Sampson GenQuest Inc., $12.95, 132 pp.

“I would hear all these stories in (mediating) workplace disputes, ‘Everybody else is wrong. It’s a hostile work environment.’ I heard these stories over and over. I studied a lot about employee satisfaction, how to keep workers happy in the workplace,” she said in a phone interview.

As for her own employees, Giron-Gordon, an Albuquerque resident, said she tried to do everything possible for her own employees, including paying them more in wages than the community dictated.

Even with the company’s positive approach, she said, her most trusted employee seriously undermined the effort.

After a series of events, she began to write down and to put into motion her “work.Happy” message.

The essence of that message, she said, “is not what a manager can do for employees. But it’s a two-way street. (For example) I expect my employees to send emails that are respectful.”

Her book’s “work.Happy” message is based on what she states are seven simple and effective principles – Respect, Support, Recognition, Dreams, Creativity, Balance and Growth.

Each principle is a chapter in the book and each chapter makes a point that is backed up by true stories, tips and testimonies.

“This is a small book, but I thought about these seven principles for a long time,” Giron-Gordon said. “The principles are designed to apply to everybody.”