Work-life balance
Happiness at work: why it counts
   earnings – but what difference does happiness make?
   [ ] Bad management and bullying in the workplace wil affect
   Is it worth measuring the nation's happiness? That was the question
   posed at the Work Foundation's annual debate last month, inspired by
   wellbeing, new books devoted to finding happiness being released and
   a "happiness agenda" is emerging. But how will a national measure of
   this help enhance wellbeing throughout the UK's workforce, particularly
   The absence of wellbeing in the workplace is costly. In the
   present at work but contributing little added value to the business)
   replacing backache as the main source of work illness, with 40% of
   reduced sickness absence if healthier work environments were created.
   So there is a bottom-line argument for minimising workplace stress and
   enhancing wellbeing. Stephen Bevan, managing director of the Work
   attempting to measure happiness: "We are likely to see GDP grow very
   Bevan also points out: "If we take the happiness agenda seriously and
   make the changes that would enhance wellbeing at work, we could see
   productivity from more engaged workers."
   There is a growing body of evidence to suggest we are motivated at work
   job-secure and earning a reasonable wage, the quality of working life
   developed with thousands of workers in the UK, US, Japan, India,
   list of 12 factors that engage workers.
   work", "providing good service to customers", "the people you work
   with" and finally, good "work-life balance". Only after these does pay
   Work Foundation Will Hutton, which recommended a maximum salary for
   impact on our sense of wellbeing at work. But the quality of work is in
   unemployment. The focus in much of the happiness debate is on the
   unhappiness and stress in the workplace. If people don't have much
   decision-making, consistently work long hours, and are badly managed or
   There are ways of treating people at work that can make them happier
   by research based on the government's Workplace Employee Relations
   workplace stress.
   So what can we do to make our workplaces happier environments? First,
   and control over their work – the absence of micro-management. Third,
   there needs to be a shorter working hours culture, where appropriate
   flexible working arrangements are available which people can take up
   be manageable workloads and achievable deadlines, and finally, a
   has worked for are those that "give their staff 'wriggle room', don't
   feel part of a family and ensure reasonable work-life balance".
   national measure of happiness help? We think it will do so indirectly –
   people's happiness levels, holding government accountable. On the
   Wellbeing: Productivity and Happiness at Work; Stephen Wood is
     * Work-life balance
     * Work & careers
     * Work for us
   [p?c1=2&c2=6035250&cv=2.0&cj=1&comscorekw=Work-life+balance%2CWork+%26+