Workplace Happiness (How To Create A Happy Workplace)

Workplace happiness can increase employee productivity, reduce absenteeism, and improve your bottom line. An organization’s culture is a huge driver of workplace happiness. According to Good, companies with happy and engaged employees have 41% fewer quality defects and 37% less absenteeism.

Alongside these benefits, companies with happy and engaged employees saw an 18% increase in employee productivity. According to the Universum Global Workforce Happiness Index, which has surveyed over 200,000 different professionals across 57 markets, Denmark currently has the happiest workforces in the world.

The awarding of this prestigious title can be largely attributed to good working environments, regular employee satisfaction surveys, and passionate employees. In the report, Danes were found to have a relaxed workplace culture with many people living close to their workplaces, allowing them to spend more time at home with their families - which they value.

How to measure happiness in the workplace?

Workplace happiness can be measured through employee retention and productivity. A mixture of quantitative (surveys, attrition rates) and qualitative research (1:1 interviews) can be deployed to determine whether employees are happy in their roles. 

What are key actions to emphasize workplace happiness?

• Be prepared to listen and change. If employees are struggling with the pressure of mounting workloads and tight deadlines, leaders must maintain a consistent line of communication with all employees to flag these issues quickly.
  

• Prioritize work-life balance. Overworked team members may become withdrawn, tired, and be at a greater risk of burnout. 
  

• Create a career pathway. A lack of career progression can frustrate employees and potentially result in a high employee turnover. Leaders must create opportunities for growth.
  

• Encourage a culture of positivity. You should never underestimate the importance of developing a ‘happiness advantage’ in the working environment.
  

• Practice employee appreciation. As a leader, it’s crucial you take the time to show team members that you value their contributions to the workplace. From ‘employee of the month’ initiatives to a simple thank you, appreciation comes in many forms.
  

• Deliver benefits beyond the basics. Without a salary increase, there are a number of ways to empower employees and make them feel valued, from gym memberships to movie tickets.

What makes a person happy or unhappy at work?

Here are some key elements to an individual’s happiness at work:

• Having a clear sense of purpose in the workplace.
  

• Feeling valued by co-workers and senior leaders.
  

• Being supported by employee wellness programs.
  

• Feeling engaged by challenging and meaningful tasks.
  

• Working in a collaborative environment.
  

• Having flexibility with schedules and workloads.
  

• Being in a positive workplace culture.
  

How do you lead a happy team?

Here are some practices that will help your team to be happier and more productive:

• Give praise to employees when you recognize positive behaviors and contributions.
  

• Clearly communicate your expectations to employees to avoid misunderstandings.
  

• Inject fun into the workweek by creating space for these activities.
  

• Offer team members extended breaks to recharge their batteries.

How do I bring joy to work?

Happiness is contagious - and it must start from the top of an organization. If team leaders have high morale, they can have a positive influence on the workplace culture. When leaders are feeling overwhelmed and demoralized by the pressure of intense workloads, this stress and anxiety will likely trickle down the organization and affect everyone on the team.

If you want to bring joy to the workplace, we recommend trying Water Cooler Trivia. Our solution can be used to create and distribute engaging trivia quizzes across your workplace. You choose the trivia categories and categories. We write the questions and grade the results. It’s an automated process that enables you to quickly set up a fun office activity.

Water Cooler Trivia has the potential to become your team’s new favorite weekly ritual. The potential ROI of investing in team bonding activities is too good to ignore.