How Do You Measure Happiness At Work?

WIth the government planning to measure happiness this year, how happy people are at work is set to affect the figures. Our client, Tinder-Box Business Coaching, offered ten top tips to Management Today.

There is no HR framework for this unusual measurement, no tool or accepted theory to deploy but one thing is for certain, you can tell a happy workplace from an unhappy one. According to Carole Miller of Tinder-Box business coaching there are top ten tips to measuring happiness at work.
1. It’s not just what people do, it’s the way they do it. Look to see whether professional and personal values are congruent. Don’t just look at what is delivered, see how it is delivered.
2. Watch the reaction to stress. Those who are happy are more able to react positively to stress or impulsive management.
3. How optimistic are team meetings? Look at your levels of optimism in the team, when there is belief that things will work out , people usually make sure they do.
4. Make room for difference. It may be a cliché but everyone is different and those who can view others positively and welcome the differences are usually happier in themselves.
5. Are people comfortable with failure? When people are happy, they are more willing to try new, different or better ways of doing things and are confident enough to fail.
6. Can people hear their critics? It takes an established level of happiness and self confidence to request feedback, to listen to it and to consider whether to act upon it.
7. See the person, not just the employee. Taking the time to acknowledge people is vital to creating a happy workforce.
8. Friends or colleagues? Those with friends at work tend to be happier, more engaged and better performers.
9. How many inspiring people do you have? Teams who believe they have inspiring people tend to feel like they are a force for good and their members are often more happy.
10. Smile per hour ratio. Register the number of smiles your see in every hour or are you too busy to notice?