Lord Price biog
Lord Price founded the global employee experience platform that measures, tracks and improves employee engagement WorkL for Business and the consumer offering, WorkL in 2017 in his bid to make the workplace for employees a happier place. His Six Steps to Workplace Happiness has been published as a book and is the foundation of Workl, supporting organisations to improve employee engagement and experience and helping individuals find happier jobs. WorkL’s World’s Happiest Workplaces Awards annually list the organisations with the happiest employees.
Most recently Mark published Happy Economics, a book detailing why Happiness at work matters and what happiness at work means. The new book also explores how managers can measure it and have more of it and what happens to organisations when they get happiness right.
With over 40 years of experience as a business leader, Lord Price drove success throughout the John Lewis Partnership, serving as the Managing Director of Waitrose for over eight years, nearly doubling the store count as well as serving as Deputy Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership and Chairman of Business in the Community.
Lord Price is a member of the House of Lords, he joined the Conservative Government as the Minister of State for Trade and Investment in 2016.
Exploring Workplace Happiness in 2025: Flexibility, Fair Pay, and Leadership Take Centre Stage
WorkL, the global authority employee engagement platform that I founded in 2017, has released its Exploring Workplace Happiness in 2025 Mid-Year Report, offering a timely and in-depth look at the evolving workplace landscape. Drawing insights from over 49,000 global participants and responses from more than 30,000 organisations, our report captures the prevailing trends, challenges, and priorities driving employee engagement at a time of sweeping changes in technology, economics, and work culture.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in daily operations and businesses respond to mounting political and economic uncertainty, Our findings offer an urgent call for action; prioritising flexibility, fair pay, and trustworthy leadership is no longer optional, it’s essential.
Technology Takes the Lead
The Technology sector continues to outperform others in both global and UK employee engagement rankings, scoring 80% and 84% respectively. This sector’s success is largely attributed to its strong confidence in leadership and rapid adoption of flexible work models. These high engagement levels illustrate how technology firms are not only driving innovation externally but also creating forward-thinking internal cultures that keep employees motivated and committed.
Flexibility as a Foundation
Despite increasing pressure from some major employers to return to the office full-time, the report underscores that flexible working remains one of the most powerful drivers of employee happiness. Hybrid and remote work are especially valued in regions like South Africa and the United States, where the correlation between flexibility and engagement is particularly strong. Employees are voting with their feet, preferring workplaces that respect work-life balance and personal autonomy.
Pay and Financial Wellbeing: A Global Concern
In a world still grappling with inflation and rising living costs, it’s no surprise that compensation remains the number one concern for workers. Over 10,000 respondents identified pay and financial benefits as the most critical area for improvement. Other frequently cited issues include work-life balance, effective management, transparent communication, and opportunities for growth. These consistent themes reflect a universal desire for security, recognition, and progress.
Retail and Hospitality Face Mounting Pressure
In the UK, sectors like Retail and Hospitality are falling behind global benchmarks in employee engagement. This trend is especially alarming given the sectors’ importance in providing accessible, flexible employment opportunities across the country. The introduction of new National Insurance Contribution (NIC) rates in the UK, adding an estimated £7 billion in annual costs, has exacerbated the strain on these industries.
Retailers, in particular, are grappling with the implications of the 2024 Autumn Budget. Faced with tighter margins and increased operational costs, many have been forced to delay hiring and cut back on workforce support programs that are critical to employee satisfaction and retention.
At-Risk Groups: Frontline and Disabled Employees
Another concerning insight from our report is the declining confidence among frontline and disabled employees, particularly in the UK. Disabled workers report below-average trust in management and a significantly higher likelihood of leaving their roles. Likewise, frontline staff across industries show reduced confidence in leadership, contributing to elevated turnover rates. These findings highlight the need for inclusive leadership practices that consider diverse employee needs and experiences.
A Shared Blueprint for Workplace Happiness
Across all sectors and geographies, several key themes emerge in response to the question, “What three changes would improve your workplace happiness?” Overwhelmingly, respondents highlighted:
- Better Pay and Financial Benefits (10,000+ responses)
- Improved Working Hours and Flexibility (5,597 responses)
- Stronger Leadership and Communication (3,087 responses)
- Opportunities for Career Progression (2,543 responses)
These responses reinforce the idea that while specific challenges may vary, the fundamental drivers of engagement remain consistent. Employers that fail to address these areas risk losing their most valuable asset, their people.
Looking Ahead: Turning Insights into Action
WorkL’s Exploring Workplace Happiness in 2025 Mid-Year Report is more than just a snapshot, it’s a roadmap. In an age of rapid change and growing uncertainty, the key to thriving lies in understanding what matters most to employees. By prioritising flexibility, financial security, and trustworthy leadership, businesses can not only weather the storm but emerge stronger.
By Lord Mark Price, Founder of WorkL
