August is Happiness Happens month
Sharing happiness can bring a lot of joy
Happiness Happens Month is a whole month dedicated to celebrating what makes you happy. The initiative is based on the premise that happiness is unlimited and contagious and that sharing one’s happiness and can bring a lot of joy in other people’s lives.
It reminds us that sometimes a small action boosts our happiness and it reminds us that whilst happiness is a personal experience it’s also contagious.
Why happiness matters in the workplace
We spend around 90,000 hours – over 10 years of our lives – at work. That time profoundly impacts our sense of purpose, our wellbeing, and both our physical and mental health.
Therefore happiness and promoting and supporting positive mental health and wellbeing should be a top priority for all workplaces. And encouragingly, more and more organisations are recognising the role they play in boosting morale, productivity, and retention.
Over 15% of workers in the UK and Ireland experience symptoms of mental health disorders at work, and 58% feel uncomfortable talking about it. This highlights the urgent need for stronger support structures, including (but not limited to) Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)/workplace counselling services that offer confidential help during difficult times.
Happiness Happens Month is the perfect time to spotlight this issue in your workplace. Research shows that healthy, supportive work environments drive creativity, reduce absenteeism, and lower costs.
5 Ways to boost workplace happiness
Lead with care: Empathetic leaders who listen and respond to employees’ needs foster higher wellbeing. Studies confirm that when staff feel heard, their mental health improves – and so does organisational happiness.
Recognise contributions: When people feel their work matters, morale soars. Small gestures of appreciation – like a handwritten note, a quick thank-you email, or a supportive call – can have a lasting impact.
Encourage a sense of ‘team’: Positive relationships drive happiness. Promote collaboration through team-building days, events and projects that unite colleagues toward shared goals.
Offer mental health support: EAPs provide counselling and assessments to help employees manage challenges. They reduce absenteeism by up to 45% and significantly ease workplace anxiety.
Promote work-life balance: Flexible, hybrid working empowers employees to manage their time while maintaining vital in-person connections. Giving staff control over their schedules results in a healthier, happier workforce.
Ultimately, employees who are happy are more motivated, engaged, and likely to stay. Therefore happiness isn’t just good for people – it’s good for business. When employees thrive, so do organisations.