Work happiness

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 | Updated: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:59 am

A third of UK employees believe that happiness in their offices could be improved, according to a survey by technology company HP.

It found that more than half of workers believed that the freedom to work more flexibly, utilising mobile technology could contribute to improved happiness at work.

HP has teamed up with independent chief happiness officer Alexander Kjerulf in a bid to make offices happier places to work by promoting workplace flexibility through the increased use of mobility technology.

HP will be working with Kjerulf to advise UK businesses on how they can work to eradicate pain points and improve happiness of SMEs throughout the country. His suggestions include: building a culture of praise and recognition, celebrating success, starting meetings on a positive note rather than with a problem and taking stock of what you’ve achieved rather than what you haven’t.

Kjerulf says: "When companies are faced with issues such as low staff motivation, high absenteeism, increased staff turnover and a residual resistance to change, they can react by offering their staff monetary incentives such as bonuses or a pay rise. Some studies show that this approach doesn’t improve happiness over a sustained period, so I’m delighted to be working with HP to help show UK businesses how they can implement small changes that can make a massive difference."

The survey also reveals that an important factor in enhancing employee happiness is to take away the pain of unnecessary administration and bureaucracy. Almost half of workers surveyed cited that they would be happier in their job if they could avoid having to fill out forms and do unnecessary paperwork; whereas a third believes there is too much bureaucracy.