As leaders and HR professionals, you understand that a productive workforce is essential for business success. Yet, with 27% of employees reporting frequent bad workdays, there’s a critical gap between workplace satisfaction and overall happiness. The upcoming International Week of Happiness at Work, held from September 23rd to 27th, 2024, is a powerful reminder of why creating a positive work environment is not just a luxury, but a strategic necessity.
This week-long initiative highlights the importance of embedding happiness into your organizational culture, enhancing employee well-being, and driving performance. By prioritizing happiness at work, you’re not only a more engaged and resilient workforce but also positioning your company for long-term success.
Let’s explore how you can leverage happiness week at work to create a culture of wellbeing at work.
What is International Week of Happiness at Work?
Employee satisfaction isn’t just a feel-good factor; it’s a crucial driver of performance and productivity. Happy employees are more engaged, work harder, and align more closely with company goals. The journey towards recognizing the importance of workplace happiness began decades ago.
In the 1960s, thinkers like Arthur Janov and Abraham Maslow introduced ideas linking mental health and self-fulfillment with productivity. Fast forward to 2017, and Maartje Wolff and Fennande van der Meulen launched the International Week of Happiness at Work through their initiative, Happy Office. This movement encourages organizations to integrate happiness into their workplace culture, ensuring that employees not only thrive but contribute more effectively to business success.
For HR leaders, this week serves as a vital reminder to prioritize mental wellbeing and encourage a positive work environment—because when employees are happy, everyone benefits.
Why Happiness at Work Matters?
Happiness leads to dramatically better performance and more success.
Employee happiness is more than just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for creating a productive, engaged, and committed workforce.
Here’s why it matters:
1. Productivity
Happy employees are 12% more productive than their unhappy counterparts.
Beyond enhanced productivity, happy employees also contribute to lower turnover rates, better customer service, and improved cost and time efficiency. They take fewer sick days, drive higher profits, and help create a positive company culture. To mitigate turnover and burnout, it’s essential for management and team leaders to prioritize employee satisfaction and well-being.
2. Retention
20% least happy employees are twice as likely to leave their job in the next quarter compared to the 20% happiest employees.
Attracting and retaining talented employees is a significant challenge for employers. Without a dedicated and productive workforce, achieving targets becomes difficult, and overall morale suffers. Employee retention is therefore crucial for business success.
While it might not seem obvious, happiness at work is deeply linked to retention. Happy employees are more likely to stay, reducing turnover and its associated costs. To keep your best talent and maintain a successful business, focus on creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and engaged.
How can you Celebrate International Week of Happiness at Work?
1) Run a Gratitude Program
Implement regular recognition initiatives to improve morale and engagement. Acknowledging employees’ contributions fosters a positive environment and boosts individual motivation.
2) Adopt a Wellness Approach
Support healthy habits by encouraging lunchtime walks and offering discounts on wellness products. Promote overall well-being with simple, cost-effective strategies.
3) Encourage Social Activity
Organize social events, whether company-sponsored or employee-driven, to build friendships and enhance workplace happiness. Social connections can improve job satisfaction and teamwork.
4) Provide Well-being Workshops and Wellness Challenges
Host workshops focused on mental and physical health and organize wellness challenges to engage employees in healthy practices. These activities can boost morale and foster team unity.
5) Promote Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Actively encourage employees to utilize EAPs for support with personal or professional issues. EAPs provide valuable resources to help employees manage stress and maintain well-being.
6) Set an Example
Demonstrate positivity and enthusiasm as a leader. Your attitude can influence the overall workplace atmosphere, creating a more supportive and uplifting environment.
Get Started with Encouraging Happiness at Work
Start off by implementing a strategic plan for celebrating International Week of Happiness at Work. Reflect on your company’s current efforts and identify opportunities for improvement in promoting workplace happiness. To gain deeper insights, take the VIWELL Assessment to evaluate your organization’s well-being initiatives and pinpoint areas for enhancement.
As a dedicated employee well-being company offering a holistic employee wellbeing digital platform, we support your team across all six well-being pillars. Whether you need assistance with enhancing employee engagement or implementing new well-being initiatives, we’re here to help.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to learn how we can partner with you to celebrate and elevate happiness at work.