Work is where most of us spend the majority of our waking hours. Whether you are an employer trying to create a thriving culture or an employee navigating day-to-day challenges, being happy at work is central to both wellbeing and productivity. Research from the University of Warwick indicates that happiness increases productivity by approximately 12%, while unhappiness reduces it by 10% (Oswald et al., 2015). In other words, workplace happiness isn’t just a nice-to-have; it is a business necessity.
This article brings together proven strategies for keeping employees happy, guidance for turning things around when employees are unhappy, and practical steps employees can take to improve their own work experience.
Part One: How Employers Can Keep Employees Happy
Protect Your Employees’ Safety and Wellbeing
Nothing undermines happiness at work faster than feeling unsafe. Protecting employees with comprehensive workers’ compensation coverage ensures they know they are cared for in the event of illness or injury. This not only lowers risk for the business but also builds trust and loyalty.
Focus on Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is now non-negotiable. Post-COVID, employees expect flexibility to manage family responsibilities and personal wellbeing. Options like hybrid working, four-day weeks, or extended parental leave can make a profound difference. The companies that prioritise balance find that employees are more engaged and less likely to burn out.
Encourage Open Communication and Engagement
Clear communication fosters trust. Platforms such as Slack, Monday.com, or Trello allow real-time collaboration, file sharing, and progress tracking, even across dispersed teams. By keeping communication open, managers show employees that their voices matter. This sense of inclusion boosts motivation and reduces feelings of isolation.
Invest in Training and Upskilling
When organisations provide training, employees feel invested in the organisation. Upskilling enhances performance, promotes autonomy, and demonstrates commitment to growth. Setting aside an annual budget for training has one of the highest returns on investment you can make as an employer.
Recognise and Reward Employees
Recognition is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to encourage happiness. Whether it’s monthly awards, personalised emails of appreciation, or team celebrations, employees who feel seen and valued are more likely to stay. Social activities such as after-work gatherings can also strengthen bonds and morale.
Part Two: What Employers Can Do with Unhappy Employees
Even in healthy workplaces, dissatisfaction can surface. Unhappy employees cost businesses through lower productivity, reduced morale, and higher turnover. Here’s how to turn things around.
Offer Fair Remuneration
Salary is not everything, but it matters. Research shows that 70% of employees consider pay the main reason for leaving a job. However, there are conflicting perspectives on this figure. Matching market rates, or coming close to them, can prevent valuable employees from leaving for competitors.
Create Opportunities for Promotion
Career stagnation breeds discontent. Promote from within whenever possible and offer training for leadership roles. This signals to employees that their future lies with your organisation, motivating them to give their best.
Celebrate Performance and Encourage Peer Recognition
Acknowledgement should go beyond management. Create a culture where employees celebrate each other. Peer-to-peer recognition systems or simple nominations can make appreciation part of the daily culture. Small acts of thanks go a long way. A little “thank you” or “you are so kind” between employees can be an excellent way of having fellow employees motivate each other and increase engagement. You can learn more at Mo about how to celebrate employees and how they can also participate in making a difference.
Allow Flexible Working Hours
Rigid 9-to-5 schedules no longer suit modern life. Offering flexible or hybrid working arrangements enables employees to balance personal commitments with productivity. When employees have greater control over their time, they often deliver better results.
Part Three: What Employees Can Do if They Are Unhappy at Work
Even in supportive workplaces, individuals sometimes feel out of alignment. The workplace can amplify stress and negative emotions, but there are ways to regain balance and rediscover happiness.
Understand Your Energetic State
Your mood and energy affect not only you but also those around you. As quantum science demonstrates, the energy you emit is felt by others. Recognising this responsibility can empower you to choose states of mind that uplift rather than deplete.
Use Your Feelings as Guidance
As Gary Zukav explains in The Heart of the Soul, feelings are not indictments but guidance systems. Negative emotions signal unhelpful beliefs or misalignment with your values. Instead of criticising yourself, treat feelings as information pointing you toward change.
20 Practical Ways to Find Relief When Unhappy at Work
1. Reflect on Your Achievements
Take time to list your accomplishments, no matter how small. By recognising what you’ve already achieved, you can shift focus from frustration to pride. This simple practice can help build confidence and reconnect you with the value you bring, which is essential for achieving happiness at work.
2. Seek Constructive Feedback
Ask colleagues or managers for feedback to gain perspective. Feedback highlights strengths you may overlook and identifies areas for growth. This open approach strengthens communication and reminds you that professional development is ongoing, creating a renewed sense of purpose and alignment in your role.
3. Develop New Skills
Learning new skills refreshes motivation and builds career resilience. Sign up for training courses, attend workshops, or explore mentoring opportunities. Developing new competencies expands your opportunities and boosts self-worth, which can counter feelings of stagnation or disconnection from being happy at work.
4. Set Clear Goals
Break your work into manageable goals that provide a clear sense of direction. Achieving small milestones can restore motivation and create a sense of accomplishment. Clear goals make it easier to measure progress, ensuring your daily work feels purposeful and aligned with bigger ambitions.
5. Prioritise Work-Life Balance
Set boundaries between work and personal time. Take breaks, schedule family time, and allow space for hobbies. By balancing energy across different areas of life, you can reduce burnout and increase resilience, making it more attainable and sustainable to be happy at work over the long term.
6. Build Positive Relationships
Engage with colleagues beyond tasks by sharing coffee breaks or joining team activities. Supportive relationships make work more enjoyable and reduce feelings of isolation. Strong workplace friendships foster collaboration, improve communication, and can significantly boost your daily happiness at work.
7. Practise Mindfulness
Incorporate brief mindfulness breaks into your daily routine. Techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can calm stress and sharpen focus. Even five minutes of mindful reflection can reset your mood and help you handle challenges with more clarity, directly improving your chances of being happy at work.
8. Seek Professional Development
Look for opportunities to grow through conferences, online learning, or leadership programmes. Professional development keeps your career fresh and positions you for future opportunities. Feeling that you’re moving forward creates motivation and optimism, both key to maintaining workplace happiness and resilience.
9. Address Work-Related Issues
If specific problems are making you unhappy, raise them directly with your manager or HR. Tackling issues early prevents them from growing into bigger frustrations. Taking proactive steps not only reduces stress but also builds confidence in your ability to influence your own happiness at work. Look up and engage with any reward schemes or their best wellness incentives, which can be another avenue to gather support.
10. Foster a Positive Work Environment
Add personal touches to your workspace or promote positivity within your team. A simple smile, encouragement, or kindness can change the atmosphere. By contributing to a supportive culture, you help create a setting where being happy at work becomes a shared experience.
11. Seek Support from Friends and Family
Talk openly with trusted friends or family members about workplace frustrations. External support helps you gain perspective, feel heard, and release stress. Sometimes, simply sharing your experiences can lighten the emotional load and strengthen your ability to return to work with a calmer outlook.
12. Re-evaluate Your Career Path
If unhappiness persists, consider whether your current role aligns with your values and aspirations. Reflect on what excites you and explore opportunities that better fit your strengths. Changing direction can be daunting, but it may ultimately unlock greater fulfilment and genuine happiness at work.
13. Engage in Physical Activity
Exercise boosts endorphins, reduces stress, and improves energy. Whether it’s walking at lunch, joining a yoga class, or hitting the gym, regular activity strengthens both body and mind. A healthier lifestyle often translates into improved focus, resilience, and greater overall satisfaction in your work life.
14. Practise Gratitude
Make it a habit to write down things you are grateful for in your job, however small. Gratitude shifts attention from negatives to positives, reframing your perspective. By appreciating what is working, you cultivate a mindset that supports being happy at work despite challenges.
15. Take on Challenging Projects
Volunteering for projects outside your comfort zone can rekindle interest in your work. Challenges bring fresh learning and create opportunities to showcase strengths. The satisfaction of overcoming obstacles can replace feelings of boredom with excitement and provide renewed pride in your role.
16. Implement Time Management Techniques
Use tools such as to-do lists, prioritisation methods, or calendar blocks to organise your workload. Better time management reduces feelings of being overwhelmed and makes tasks more manageable. Having control over your schedule can significantly reduce stress and promote a sense of work-life balance.
17. Create a Comfortable Workspace
Your environment affects mood and performance. Personalise your desk with photos, plants, or inspiring quotes, and ensure it is tidy and organised. A comfortable and motivating workspace contributes to daily satisfaction, making it easier to achieve happiness at work consistently.
18. Engage in Creative Outlets
Explore hobbies or side projects that allow creative expression. Creativity provides a break from routine and stimulates fresh thinking. Whether it’s writing, painting, or problem-solving in new ways, creative activities enhance resilience and feed positivity that spills over into your workplace experience.
19. Focus on Personal Health
Healthy habits like eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough rest influence your energy and mood. Prioritising personal health creates a stronger foundation for handling workplace pressures. Good physical health is closely tied to mental wellbeing and is essential for being happy at work.
20. Consider Professional Counselling
If unhappiness feels overwhelming, seeking help from a counsellor or coach can be transformative. Professional support provides coping strategies, identifies root causes of dissatisfaction, and helps you develop a clear plan for positive change, restoring balance and enabling long-term happiness at work.
The Bottom Line: Happiness is Everyone’s Responsibility
Being happy at work is not about eliminating challenges but about how employers and employees respond to them. Employers can build cultures that protect, empower, and recognise their people. Employees can take ownership of their inner states and practical habits to find alignment. Together, these efforts create workplaces where people thrive, and businesses prosper.
