An HR Practitioners Guide to Happiness at Work

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Jacqueline Breslin in Best Practices

There are many books, articles and blogs that discuss the importance of finding a career that is fulfilling.  Even employees that are pursuing their dreams are not necessarily happy at work and yet there are employees that dislike their chosen profession whom have yet to find a way to be happy at work.  I’d argue that whether we are in the perfect job or still seeking that perfection we all want to be happy at work.  Here a few tips to find workplace happiness.

1) Take advantage of your company

I am not suggesting stealing the office supplies but I am suggesting that you maximize the perks.  Does your company provide you with great technology to get your job done? Appreciate those tools and learn them inside and out to maximize your productivity.  Tuition reimbursement? Don’t leave a penny on the table. They are willing to invest in you; you should care enough about your career to accept the investment.  Do they provide you time off to volunteer or match a donation you make to a charity with a donation of their own?  Great if they do- don’t let this go to waste.

Look for the silver lining at work. Great perks lead to workplace happiness.

2) Choose your circle of colleagues wisely

Stay away from the grumpy co-worker that finds fault at every turn. The negative naysayers will drag you down.  No matter how much you love your work and the opportunity you have in front of you, their words, their emails, their bad attitudes will change you. On a tough day you will suspect that they are right and you are wrong and say something or make a decision you may regret later. Grouchy people will make you unhappy.

On the opposite side find the realists and optimists at work.  Those that are happy to be there can point out the strengths of your workplace and sometimes get you to see the good things you are not seeing.

3) All work and no play makes for one stressed out employee

Take breaks, slow down, don’t work every paid company holiday because it is quiet and you can get “so much done”.  Your company provides paid time off in order for you to not be working and still collect a paycheck.  You won’t be of benefit to anyone if you keep your foot on the accelerator constantly.

Times have been difficult economically for many employers. Departments are lean and employee guilt is rampant.  Some are concerned that if they take a day off their already overburdened co-workers will be buried alive in their cubicles picking up additional work due to their absence. Let this type of thinking go. At the very least take a Friday off and prove to yourself that your company will still be standing, your co-workers are still speaking to you and your clients appreciate you even more after a little time away.  This will be a wonderful happiness boost.

4) Stop practicing disastrous thinking

The worrying worker leaves little room for happiness at work.  The doomsayer drags themselves down and everyone else down too.  We all know the long, sad list of workplace challenges, downsizing, employee attrition, salary cuts, fast growth without enough staff to support the success.  Many employees have wasted lots of time and energy waiting to get “the” call regarding the next negative change.  This doesn’t serve you well.  Most of the things we worry about never ever happen.  What if you spent time worrying about how you’ll handle that big promotion you’ll get and begin preparing for that opportunity.  Instead of thinking, my boss is calling, it must be bad news. Think my boss is calling; I anticipate a great update and look forward to having a good conversation.  Spend time thinking about a better happier work future and take steps to make it a reality

I hope you find these tips helpful. What happiness tips would you add to the list?