Reading time: 4 min.
In this episode, we welcome Lindsay De Donder as our guest. Lindsay is co-creator at Happy Humans and has 10 years of experience in the HR world, always with a focus on the health and wellbeing of employees. A logical extension of what she does at Happy Humans: strengthening workplace happiness in Flanders.
What does workplace happiness mean?
"Workplace happiness isn't all that different from happiness itself. It's a personal feeling of energy and enjoyment that you, as an individual, experience at work. So it's something that differs from person to person. People who are happy at work are generally much more productive, take fewer sick days, and simply have a positive influence on the organisation."
Here's how we strengthen workplace happiness
"The mission of Happy Humans is to strengthen workplace happiness and ensure that both employer and employee feel happy at work. Experience shows that both often have a different view on this, each from their own angle. That's what makes it interesting," says Lindsay.
To strengthen shared workplace happiness, Happy Humans talks with both employers and employees. This leads to fascinating conversations that uncover blind spots, which in many cases can be quickly resolved.
We bring together the results of all these conversations into an action plan that fits within the company's strategy.
6.6 out of 10... when it comes to job satisfaction
It's clear that work plays a major role in our overall life satisfaction. The national happiness survey — conducted by Professor Lieven Annemans (Ghent University), supported by NN — shows that employees in Belgium give job satisfaction a mere 6.6 out of 10.
"That's too low a score, if you ask us, and the consequences are often underestimated. Low employee satisfaction leads to more sick leave, less productivity, and simply has an extremely negative impact on the organisation," says Lindsay.
"At the root of it lies the employer's own workplace happiness, which is something we also focus on heavily. If you, as an employer, feel happy and strong in life, that positive energy naturally radiates to your employees."
Corona and tips for the physical restart
We don't need to tell anyone that the Corona period wasn't easy. We experienced it firsthand and asked Lindsay how she and Happy Humans experienced that period.
"It's been especially difficult for both employers and employees. Employers face the challenge of maintaining their employees' wellbeing, let alone actively working on it. And among employees, there's a particularly strong sense of uncertainty."
Lindsay advises communicating openly about this in one-on-one conversations — whether digital or not — and doing so regularly. She advises employers to proactively check in with employees (how have you experienced this period, what's on your mind, what questions do you have, etc.) in order to ease that uncertainty.
Wellbeing & health in the workplace
Every crisis brings opportunities too! Over the past period, we've all started exercising more and paying even more attention to the importance of nutritious food. A trend that's increasingly making its way into the workplace too, as they've noticed at Happy Humans.
"While this wasn't always seen as important before, we now notice that companies are putting even more focus on nutritious breaks, on health... as extra support for their employees."
Encouraging breaks
Taking mindful, nutritious breaks is gradually gaining ground in the workplace. It boosts productivity and connection between employees... although we do notice that some companies are still sceptical about it, seeing it more as a waste of time where no work gets done.
They notice the same at Happy Humans. "Often, we're just the latest in a long line of people saying that mindful, nutritious breaks matter, but after the coaching process, we usually get really positive feedback. Simply because those break moments really do make a difference."
One last tip!
Lindsay: "As an employer, take a step back, think about what makes you happy, and consider what you can do to keep strengthening that workplace happiness!"
We wish all entrepreneurs and managers the very best of luck with the (physical) restart of their business!