In a survey conducted by Indeed and Forrester Consulting, only 29% of 4,002 U.S. workers reported thriving in their jobs. Worker well-being, rooted in feelings of energy, belonging, and trust, tends to be higher among older workers, men, and those with advanced education and higher incomes. Employers benefit from high employee well-being, observing improved retention rates and better stock market performance. Happier employees exhibit nearly double the likelihood of efficiently prioritizing tasks, creative problem-solving, and investing substantial effort into their work.
Despite the overwhelming belief in the possibility of workplace happiness and a sense of purpose, almost half of workers expressed increased well-being expectations from the previous year. This sentiment was notably high among Generation Z (59%) and millennials (54%). Worker well-being hinges on multiple facets of HR, spanning compensation, benefits, diversity, and inclusion efforts. Four key factors — happiness, purpose, stress, and satisfaction — were influenced by a company’s capacity to fulfil foundational, social, and growth needs.
To enhance worker well-being, companies can prioritize specific programs. While unlimited paid time off and remote work options top the list of desired benefits, mental health apps and soft skills training, though more prevalent, hold less importance.
Various aspects of well-being intertwine, as flexible work arrangements significantly contribute to employees’ sense of belonging, according to an EY survey. Jobs considered “high-quality” due to a blend of tangible and intangible factors often provide the necessary training and resources for career advancement.
Flexibility remains a strong draw for employees, favouring hybrid and remote work setups alongside unlimited paid time off and floating holidays. Despite concerns about flexible work impacting productivity and company culture negatively, several instances prove otherwise. Pinterest’s embrace of fully flexible work resulted in remarkably effective collaboration, contradicting assumptions about decreased productivity due to remote work. Additionally, a significant portion of respondents in a recent survey anticipated reduced productivity with a mandatory return to the office.
