From stress to success – tracking happiness in the workplace
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The payroll company ADP has launched a Happiness@Work Index to discover how Canadians really feel when they’re at work
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IS IT TIME to get serious about happiness? For a growing number of employers, the answer is “yes” – as more research links happy employees to improved productivity, innovation, and the overall success of an organization.
To shed light on the role of happiness in the workplace, the payroll company ADP Canada introduced the Happiness@Work Index in March 2023. Released every month, the index tracks changes in the satisfaction of employees and the self-employed, as well as the key reasons behind these changes.
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of workers say they’re always, often, or sometimes underpaid
The index couldn’t arrive at a better time. Against the backdrop of a shift to remote work and increased restlessness among employees, employers are taking a hard look at the need to improve morale in the workplace.
The stakes are high, with improved job satisfaction unlocking a wide range of benefits from reduced turnover and less sick leave to increased productivity, creativity, and engagement.
The May edition of the monthly index reported a National Work Happiness Score of 6.7 out of 10, up from 6.6 in April. Sentiment rose as boomers as well as employees in Quebec and Atlantic Canada reported the highest satisfaction in the workplace.
Breaking down the numbers, the survey of 1,200 Canadian workers found 44 percent are very happy with their current role and responsibilities, with the biggest drivers of satisfaction involving work-life balance, support, and recognition.
Further details about the reasons behind job satisfaction can be found in a more detailed study that ADP released earlier: People at Work 2023: A Global Workforce View.
This survey of more than 32,000 workers in 17 countries conducted late last year found a lack of clarity about career advancement to be a key driver of unhappiness among young employees, with just 1 in 4 satisfied with their career options.
The increase in remote work also continues to have an impact on how employees feel about their organization. Workers with hybrid working arrangements are the most satisfied with the flexibility they have (60 percent), compared with 50 percent of on-premise workers.
Interestingly, remote work has employees considering options outside their countries as well. Almost half (48 percent) of the workers surveyed say they have already relocated or are considering relocating overseas while continuing to work for their employer.
Beyond career opportunities and the ability to work remotely, another big contribution to employee satisfaction is their mental health.
A positive state of mind unleashes a domino effect of benefits in the workplace. These employees are more proactive and eager to take on new challenges. They display higher levels of cooperation and collaboration that enhance teamwork and creativity.
The benefits continue after employees leave work, as they
It’s been a difficult several years for workers in Canada and around the world. While lockdowns have ended, the impact of disrupted supply chains, inflation, and rising interest rates continues to rattle the global economy.
Asked about their thoughts on economic uncertainty, almost four in 10 global workers (37 percent) say they don’t feel secure in their jobs, while 62 percent believe no sector will remain unaffected.
In line with the findings of ADP’s latest Happiness@Work Index in Canada, the world’s youngest workers feel the least secure in their jobs (50 percent).
This continued uncertainty about the economy, together with the anxiety caused by social isolation during the lockdowns, suggests that the morale of Canadian workers will be a significant concern in the years to come.
And for forward-thinking employers who understand the direct connection between employee happiness and productivity, it points to an increased need to nurture a welcoming workplace and improved job satisfaction.
The ADP’s new Happiness@Work Index will go a long way to tracking worker morale in Canada. By identifying trends and illustrating problems, the Index provides a useful guide to the state of happiness in Canada, helping both employers and their employees create more enriching and productive places to work.
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The power of positivity
Looking ahead
Published 10 July 2023
43%
of people experience stress at least once a week
63%
Mental health and work
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speak positively about their employer to others and indirectly contribute to the company’s reputation. This, in turn, can help businesses attract talent and drive yet further benefits that ripple throughout the organization.
So how are workers feeling about their mental health? According to the global study, almost half (47 percent) say stress is adversely affecting their work. And while 64 percent say they're supported by their managers, that is down from 70 percent in the previous year.
Copyright © 2023 KM Business Information Canada Ltd.
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Copyright © 2023 KM Business Information Canada Ltd.
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