“Happiness at work? It means something different for everyone”

“I define happiness at work as getting a sense of satisfaction from your job. How that satisfaction is achieved is different for everyone,” says Marianne. “While one person gets a lot of energy from working closely with colleagues, another may derive pleasure from working individually. And while one employee enjoys using a bit of elbow grease, others may prefer not to carry out physical work. 

Character plays an important role in how each of us defines happiness at our job. At the same time, that definition is never set in stone. After all, your life phase influences your demands and expectations when it comes to work. This can clearly be seen in, for example, the different perceptions of happiness at work between younger and older generations.”
 

“In the past, employees often spent their entire career working at the same organisation.
That has changed drastically in recent years. Employers now need to make every effort to keep employees ‘happy’ and in place.

Younger employees in particular do not hesitate to look for a new job if their current position does not meet their expectations. They have a good idea about the direction they want to head towards, which is a positive development.

On the other hand, employees may have demands that are unrealistic. But this is something they figure out along the way. Does an employee encounter the same types of problems in a new job? Then he or she simply adapts his or her demands in response,” adds Marianne. 

“Happiness at work depends on the environment in which employees feel most comfortable. That is why employers focus on the fundamentals of happiness at work: allowing employees to independently do what they do best in order to enhance their expertise and feel involved. 

Psychological safety at work is also essential to happiness in the workplace. And employers once again play an important role in this. Create a safe environment that promotes dialogue and do not punish employees the moment they make a mistake. This gives them the opportunity to ask questions and learn from each other, which in turn has a positive effect on well-being and happiness in the workplace. 

It also goes without saying that employees themselves are largely responsible for their own happiness at work. By respecting their own boundaries, clearly voicing their expectations and not taking positive work aspects for granted, you can contribute to your own happiness at work as an employee.”

“My golden rule: pay sufficient attention to the positive. For example, did you complete an assignment today? Were you able to meet with friends after work? Did a colleague give you a compliment? Did you learn something new? Focusing on the ‘small moments of happiness’ makes a huge difference for your sense of happiness. It also boosts your self-confidence and resilience. Of course, it is also important to talk about negative experiences or feelings at work.

Incidentally, you can also find a sense of happiness at work in difficult circumstances.
For example, the sense of satisfaction you experience after successfully completing a challenging task or mastering a difficult technique,” concludes Marianne.