Work happiness as a dynamic process: go for sustainable happiness in the workplace

From September 25 to 29, 2023 is Work Happiness Week, a great time to reflect on work happiness within your company. How do you make sure your employees are happy at work? According to the enthusiastic Ilona van Kralingen, practice support occupational physician at ZekerArbo, happiness at work is not a final destination but a continuous process.

What is work happiness?

But how does she actually define work happiness herself? According to her, it's about finding your purpose, constantly improving yourself and connecting with others. "It's about challenging yourself and constantly improving, but also finding meaning in what you do. Sustainable work happiness is the biggest challenge of your career."

As such, the theme recurs regularly in Ilona's own consulting room as an occupational health physician practitioner. Instead of pursuing the big elusive goal of "being happy at work," she helps her clients in small steps. "Work happiness is not just about striving for big successes," Ilona explains. "It's about achieving small milestones; I'm constantly working with employees to bring out the positive. It's already great when you can celebrate a small success!"

More focus on happiness in the workplace

There is increasing attention to work happiness these days, for example with initiatives such as Work Happiness Week. According to Ilona, this is partly because younger generations in the workplace have different desires for their work. "They strive for fulfillment in their careers. As a result, work happiness has shifted from being purely satisfied with your job to a deeper desire for meaningful work that fits individual goals and values.

At the same time, according to Ilona, changes in society and social media mean that younger generations are also looking for instant happiness. "But," Ilona stresses, "work happiness is not something you can simply enforce. It depends on the circumstances in which you live and work. It's about finding small successes and meaning in the journey, not just the ultimate goal of being happy."

Attention to job happiness? Start with yourself

If you are an entrepreneur striving for an organization in which work happiness thrives, where do you start? Ilona advises, "Start with yourself. Research where you get personal happiness from, what is important to you. Compare that to your environment, both at home and within your organization. And keep adapting yourself to changes." Ilona says this has also been a learning process for her. "I have now been employed for 25 years and am incredibly proud of my work at ZekerArbo," she says. "I'm still learning every day about what I have to offer to make someone else even more successful. Workplace happiness is not something you just write on the back of a napkin."

Once you have determined this for yourself, you can also facilitate your employees. As an organization, you need to look at what individual employees need, and then determine what is feasible within your organization. Ilona shares an inspiring example in which a simple act of support made a world of difference. She tells of an employee who, despite her serious illness, was eager to work and wanted to get involved in the works council. It would give her so much satisfaction to be able to read up on that work. The only thing she lacked for this was a simple access card. "For the entrepreneur, it's something small, but for her it means her work happiness!"

Join the Week of Work Happiness

Wondering what else you can do to improve your employees' job happiness? Then join the Week of Happiness at Work from September 25 to 29. During this week all kinds of activities will be organized to get started with this topic. For example, think of an energetic live workshop on work happiness, the online Global Happiness at Work summit, or the 30-day no-complaining Challenge. Sign the manifesto for more happiness at work, and show your employees that you take their well-being at work seriously. Want to organize your own event? Then use the toolbox full of materials and tips, or email the Organization of Work Happiness Week for support.

Tip: Is work happiness already going very well at your company? Then open your doors for a company visit during Work Happiness Week!

Read all about Work Happiness Week.