From 23rd to 27th September 2024, organisations around the world will come together to celebrate the International Week of Happiness at Work. This initiative shines a light on the importance of happiness in the workplace, recognising that the time we spend at work can have a big impact on our overall well-being. By raising awareness and encouraging organisations to focus on happiness at work, we can ensure this movement toward greater well-being keeps growing—for the benefit of both employees and companies alike.
During this week, we take time to reflect on the practices that contribute to a positive and supportive atmosphere at work. At The Printing Charity, we’ve gathered insights from industry leaders on how they create a happy culture in their workplaces.
Creating a positive and supportive atmosphere – and having some fun
Bettine Pellant, CEO of Picon Limited, highlights the importance of regular face-to-face interaction in a virtual work environment. She shares, “As a virtual organisation, we meet in person every 6 to 8 weeks for a team meeting and lunch. The lunch is important because it gives everyone a chance to have a ‘good ol’ chat’.” These gatherings are more than just meetings—they’re a great way to build connections, share experiences, and strengthen the team’s bond.
Adding a bit of fun to the workday can also make a big difference. Andy McGuinness, Managing Director of SEDO, says: “We’ve just started The SEDO Open, a putting competition in the office that runs until Christmas. It’s a bit of fun that gets people away from their desks for 5-10 minutes and has sparked some healthy competition!”
Showing appreciation and acknowledging support networks
Andy also highlights the importance of celebrating successes and showing appreciation on a daily basis. “We celebrate the wins, no matter how small—whether it’s welcoming a new customer for our supplies, securing their first deal, or landing a big one. Luke and I always make a point of thanking everyone at the end of the day. A simple ‘Thanks for your help today’ goes a long way.”
He also emphasises the importance of recognising the role families play in supporting team members. “We invite partners to join the Christmas meal as a thank you to them for those times their partners had to start early or stay late.”
Kim Hill, HR Business Partner and Wellbeing Lead at Paragon UK, Ireland, and Luxembourg, shares how her organisation supports employees both at work and in their personal lives. “In addition to our Employee of the Month programmes and managers thanking their teams daily, we offer a range of well-being activities to support our employees both during work and outside of it. This includes support groups like Men’s Room, Let’s Talk Menopause, and our Coffee and Connect sessions.”
Gathering feedback to improve workplace happiness
Listening to employees and acting on their feedback is key to maintaining a happy workplace. Kim Hill explains how Paragon uses employee feedback to improve well-being: “Our Employee Engagement Survey provided valuable insights on well-being and happiness, which helped us focus on what matters most to our employees.”
This approach ensures that the organisation stays responsive to the needs of its people, fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
Join us in celebrating happiness at work
The International Week of Happiness at Work is the perfect opportunity for organisations to reflect on their workplace culture and think about how they can contribute to their teams’ happiness and well-being. By sharing best practices and learning from each other, we can create work environments where happiness is a priority, and where every team member feels appreciated and supported.
Let’s work together to make happiness at work a reality for everyone! For more information about how we can support you and your workplace, visit us at www.theprintingcharity.org.uk.