Be wary of ‘golden handcuffs’ in workplaces

Kenya: Frederick Douglass, an African American social reformer of the 19th century who made history by successfully escaping from slavery to begin the protracted agitation for the abolition of slave trade, once told the following story:

“I once passed a coloured woman at work on a plantation who was singing ... and whose general manners would have led me to set her down as the happiest of the gang. I said to her, ‘Your work seems pleasant to you.’ She replied, ‘No, massa.’

“Supposing she referred to something particularly disagreeable in her immediate occupation, I said to her, ‘Tell me then, what part of your work is most pleasant?’ She answered with much emphasis, ‘No part pleasant. We forced to do it.’”

This woman in Douglass’ tale epitomises the ‘happy slave complex’, which is still rampant in our society to date, particularly our workplaces.

Simply put, the complex refers to a person in a position of submission, who, while understanding his or her powerlessness, finds happiness in it.

 Micro-managed existence

Happy slaves convince themselves that their work means something, that it is better than anything else in the world, and ultimately, that it is better being powerless than dead.

These kinds of workers enjoy their subservience and are weighed down by the idea of independence from the system that keeps them alive, and they would fight to maintain the establishment that enslaves them.

Individuals who characterise the happy slave complex cannot imagine living any other life beyond their micro-managed existence, and cannot fathom why anyone would want to go against the grain. For them, the system provides their identity!

In the workplace, the happy slave mentality has been encouraged by what organisational experts call the ‘golden handcuffs effect’.

This is best exemplified by workers who tell themselves it is alright to endure an unfavourable situation at work because the pay and benefits help offset career dissatisfaction.

The golden handcuffs effect takes over when a worker feels beholden to an employer because of benefits like car loans, mortgages,  mileage and entertainment allowances.

Workers in this situation feel they cannot quit their jobs for fear of appearing ungrateful. They also realise these benefits give them a lifestyle they cannot afford on a salary alone.

So how can you break free of unrewarding slavery? First, discard the typical employee mentality of working ‘for’ the boss and start taking charge of your employment destiny by actively cultivating the smart practice of treating your career as a business through working ‘with’ your employer.

Working ‘for’ the boss puts you at the distinct disadvantage of a slave. It is when you start working ‘with’ him or her that you begin to see the employer as a means to an end — a way to create a win-win arrangement.

You realise you can persistently negotiate terms until you both reach an equitable and profitable settlement. If either side feels the terms are not beneficial, they can opt out with their heads held high.

Have you noticed that most well-known Kenyan firms tend to get their CEOs from outside their pool of workers? It would seem they would rather take a risk with people who see themselves as owners of enterprises than gamble with salaried workers who may kill a business, thanks to the golden handcuffs effect.

The writer is a researcher on mental health issues.

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