Wellbeing at work: sweat the small stuff

Sadly, the answer to that question has taken a bleak turn. Satisfaction with life has steadily declined. The report highlights how unhappiness and dwindling social trust have fuelled political polarization and anti-establishment votes across Europe and the U.S. Edelman’s Trust Barometer echoes this sentiment, revealing plummeting trust in companies. Add to that rising anger, frustration, and a growing sense of “enough is enough.”

What’s happening outside the workplace is undoubtedly spilling into it. And this calls for immediate attention to wellbeing at work. But let’s be clear—workplace wellbeing is no fluffy HR initiative. It's a catalyst for economic growth and a business imperative that can reshape our organisations from the inside out.

Take the findings of the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, for example. Their monumental study with Indeed (‘Indeed’s Work Wellbeing 100’), found that companies prioritising wellbeing outperform the market. The top five U.S. performers—H&R Block, Delta Air Lines, L3Harris, Accenture, and NIKE—prove that investing in employee happiness isn’t just good for people, but better for business too.
 

‘Walk the talk’ – a key factor for wellbeing

Yet, wellbeing varies wildly even among similar companies in the same industries. ‘Walking the talk’ emerges as the ultimate difference-maker. Alarmingly, while 80% of managers believe wellbeing matters, only 30% prioritise it, and fewer than half of them take tangible action to improve it.

Why this happens is up for debate but lead researcher Jan Emmanuel De Neve makes a good point. “Wellbeing is about how you feel at work or feel about the work”, he goes onto say, “People think higher earnings make us happy but it’s about belonging.” 

A sense of connection and inclusion, along with recognition, trust, autonomy, and supportive management, are what truly drive happiness at work.

Let’s move on from initiatives and solutions like EAPs or apps. Here's the truth: Wellbeing is our day-to-day experiences (or EX!)

As many businesses close Q1 or gear up for a new financial year, now’s the perfect time to rethink your people strategy with belonging at the forefront. The 2025 World Happiness Report focuses on social wellbeing—"caring and sharing”—and the message is crystal clear. We thrive when we connect with others. Even chatting with a colleague, smiling as you pass a neighbour or working with someone new sharing knowledge and ideas can uplift us. 
 

Sweat the small stuff

We don’t need colossal strategies to solve big problems. As we plan for the year ahead, let’s embrace the power of simple yet meaningful connections that foster belonging. 

Small changes - whether it’s how we schedule meetings, where we eat lunch, or how we appreciate, help grow and recognise each other, can ripple into big transformations.

Sweat the small stuff. Slack sets an inspiring example by utilising status coding to highlight who's online and interacting. This builds a virtual community that encourages participation and connection and is a subtle but powerful use of social norms to help strengthen belonging and promote active participation.

Ultimately, how we work together matters most. 

Wellbeing isn’t just HR’s responsibility; it’s up to all of us to build connections, promote inclusivity, and be the kind of empathetic, supportive colleague others want to work with. (Without losing our boundaries in the process).

Because at its core, caring and sharing is a win-win - for ourselves, for our teams, and for the businesses.

So, what small steps will you take to spark meaningful shifts in employee wellbeing?