In today’s fast-paced, high-stress, “always on” business world, the idea of Happiness at Work seems like a luxury. With increasing inflation and a looming global recession, everyone knows the importance of having a job. Yet, ironically, the world witnessed the Great Resignation in 2020 through 2022, and there are talks of a 2.0 in 2023! There’s a rising emphasis on work-life balance and employee experience. What changed in the past few years? Why does Happiness at Work matter more than ever for business success? Let’s explore.
Moving the needle from Burnout to Balance…
Here are some astonishing statistics as revealed by the Gallup State of the Global Workplace: 2022 Report
- Stress is at an all-time high with 44% experiencing daily stress!
- A staggering 85% of employees feel disengaged and unfulfilled at work.
- The lack of engagement among employees results in a significant loss of productivity, estimated to be around $7.8 trillion globally.
These statistics scream burnout and the need for a change in work culture.
How and when did we come to accept checking emails at the dinner table, taking calls on days off, and working on weekends as a norm? When did ambition translate into overwork blurring the boundaries between personal and professional space? How and when did a productive workforce change into one that is constantly stressed, exhausted, distracted, and overwhelmed?
If the pandemic highlighted a shift in employee expectations, the Great Resignation reiterated the shift. Add to it the rise of the urban middle class and Gen Z outnumbering the millennial workforce and there’s an increasing gap in employee expectations from the workplace.
The definitions of work are changing and people are no longer willing to trade off personal space, sense of purpose, work-life balance, and a positive human experience for financial security. Even surveys, unsurprisingly, reveal employee (happiness) well-being and work-life balance are the major reasons behind the Great Resignation.
Happiness at Work then is certainly not a luxury or good-to-have thing, but the need of the hour. It is a must-have in every organization that wants to move the needle from burnout to balance, from surviving to thriving.
“There is little success where there is little laughter.”
– Andrew Carnegie
But what is Happiness at Work?
Happiness is the state of being ‘alive,’ the single positive emotion universal across cultures with a spill-over effect. I am sure you must’ve experienced that. For example, personal issues or stress can affect work performance, and work-related stress can spill over into personal life. Similarly, professional achievements or recognition can contribute to personal happiness and fulfilment.
Our personal and professional lives are interconnected. However, it is important to maintain appropriate boundaries and find a balance between the two.
Happiness at work could mean job satisfaction for some, and a sense of belonging for others. It could depend on external factors (colleagues, company culture, nature of work itself), or internal factors (meaningful and purposeful). When you spend one-third of your life at work, it makes perfect sense to have a work environment that is fun, inspiring, meaningful, purposeful, nurturing, and rewarding.
Hardly surprising then that organizations gain immensely from a happy workforce.
If you’re feeling unappreciated at work, you might want to read this – What to do When You Feel Undervalued at Work?
The Power of Prioritizing Happiness in the Workplace
It’s no secret that companies with engaged employees experience better financial performance and are more likely to retain customers.
Happiness at the workplace leads to:
- Increased Productivity: Happy and fulfilled employees are more productive and engaged. This translates into improved performance and increased success for the company.
- Improved Job Satisfaction: When employees feel that their work is meaningful and that they are valued by their employer, they are more likely to be satisfied with their job. This leads to increased employee retention and reduced turnover.
- Better Mental Health: Prioritizing happiness at work can help mitigate stress and anxiety, improving overall employee well-being.
- Better Teamwork: Happy and fulfilled employees are more likely to collaborate and support their colleagues. This spells better teamwork and a positive work environment.
Yes, Happiness@Work is the need of the hour. Organizations globally are looking at creating happy workplaces, turning the Great Resignation into the Great Renegotiation. They are open to reassessing work culture, redefining job profiles, and even creating new roles to improve the overall employee experience.
And while we’re talking of workplace happiness, here’s my take on Diversity, Women, and a Human-First Workplace.
Happiness@Work is not a myth but a reality that can be achieved. However, achieving such an environment and unlocking its immense potential calls for effort, commitment, and flexibility from both employees and employers.
It takes a Whole Being approach to create happy, holistic, and human-centric workplaces. Determining and addressing personal and professional happiness gaps, empowering employees to take responsibility for their personal happiness, and creating a workplace that enables them to be their best is the way forward.
What does your organization’s happiness index look like?
What are you doing to move the needle from burnout to balance and stave off another wave of resignations?
Stay tuned for more on the human-first approach to creating a happy workplace!
For more insights on Happiness at Work, connect with me on LinkedIn.