How to create happiness in the workplace

Why is it important to be happy at work? Many correlate work with financial stability, status, and perks.  However, the importance lies in the impact happiness can have. An employee spends approximately 90,000 hours of our lives at work. The only thing we spend more time doing than working, is sleeping. Where an individual spends such a significant percentage of their lives working, one would assume they would ensure their work makes them happy and is something that they actively look forward to. However, it is no secret that many people do not like their jobs. Only about 40% of the world’s working population say they are happy at work according to analytics firm Great Place to Work.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend further as people have reflected over what their priorities are. This reprioritisation is affecting people’s job choices too. Leaders need to recognise that more of the talent that is sought after, value happiness.

Against this backdrop, what is it that organisations can do to foster happiness within the workplace?