Author: Harry Walton, Marketing & Communications Officer for PACT HR

Published: 15th September 2022

What is happiness in the workplace?

Happiness is a part of the makeup of our overall wellbeing, so contributes not just to our performance at work but in our personal lives as well. According to The Happiness Index, happiness in context of the workplace focuses on four main themes that need to be achieved, much like Maslow’s hierarchies of needs. These are safety, we need to feel safe and secure in our employment. We need to have relationships within the workplace with our colleagues. We also need to feel acknowledged and valued in what we do. Lastly, a sense of freedom in what we do is crucial. All four of these factors need to be achieved to achieve true happiness in the workplace.

We’re not saying that everyone can be happy all of the time, or that happiness is the sole responsibility of managers and organisations. Happiness after all is a shared responsibility, by making a concerted effort to improve our lot in life, it can help us have a brighter future and enjoy our careers.

Happiness is only one half of the equation; engagement is also crucial to us as employees. Happiness is the driving force, the fuel in the car. Without engagement though, we lack focus and direction.

According to the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), as part of their Good Work Index that looks at employee engagement within the UK, on “the day-to-day level, just over half of UK workers usually feel enthusiastic about their jobs”. Whilst, “one in three feel ‘full of energy’, over half are willing to work harder than they have to”. At first glance this seems high, but we have a way to go. Unfortunately, a fifth of employees feel they are “under excessive pressure”, a fifth feel “exhausted” and a fifth also feel “likely to quit their job in the next year”.

The benefits of improving happiness in the workplace

There are vast benefits to having a happier workforce. According to the SMF (Social Market Foundation) within their study on the topic of happiness and productivity, happy employees are up to 20% more productive than their unhappy equivalents.

Happiness spreads, it is contagious. Happy colleagues act as beacons and excellent role models for those around them. People feel more open and communicable when their colleagues are positive and pleasant to work with. This encourages thinking outside of the box and teams coming together more effectively to problem solve.

Furthermore, we can’t stress enough the importance of maintaining a well organised and consistent workforce. With a fifth of staff contemplating leaving their roles in the immediate future, maintaining a stable workforce helps avoid disruption in productivity, avoids placing additional pressure on remaining staff, reduces loss of morale amongst the remaining workforce and maintains a consistent organisational image and brand.

What can you do to make your employees happier?

• You could invite a professional speaker to your office to give an inspirational speech over lunch and discuss what you can do to make the office a happier place.
• Organise a catch-up with colleagues to talk about what makes you happy at work and what you can do more of.
• Give each other more positive feedback and praise over their work.
• Play a social game to get to know your colleagues better, perhaps you could try the Introduction Game for some light-hearted fun and to grow closer as a team.
• Run a coffee morning with your colleagues.
• Organise to go for a team lunch, not at your desks!
• Write a team manifesto.
• Take up a Happiness at Work challenge during this week!

How can PACT HR help you?

By working with PACT HR you will be assigned a PACT HR Business Partner who can help with policies for your organisation and support you in supporting your team. We can assist in providing managers with guidance on how to respond to staff, where to signpost colleagues if issues arise and what tools they have at their disposal. For more information on how we can support you, please contact the PACT HR helpdesk on 01274 436644 or email us at info@pact-hr.co.uk or more details.

Last Updated: 15th September 2022