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Need some inspiration for the International Week of Happiness at Work?

In our toolbox you will find useful tips, ideas, and plenty of inspiration to put happiness at work on the map in your organization

Checklist Happiness at Work

Does your organization want to dedicate special attention to Happiness at Work during the Week of Happiness at Work? With this checklist, we help you get started

Download Checklist

Need inspo?

Are you looking for inspiration for the Week of Happiness at Work? We've already compiled a list of ideas that can provide inspiration and help you with the first steps

Check our ideas

I need a speaker

Looking for an inspiring speaker for the Week of Happiness at Work or beyond? We've listed a few of our favourite inspirational speakers for you.

Find out more

The Partner Logo

Want to join the movement and organize something - big or small - during the International Week of Happiness at Work? Use the IWOHAW Partner logo for free

Download the partner logo

A couple of tips for you!

First and foremost: do it together!

  • Find ambassadors to work together with
  • Discuss what it is you want to accomplish together
  • Write, draw, or sing it… That helps you check if you’re on the right track.

Make sure you have the right knowledge

  • Make sure you know what you’re talking about, there has been a lot of scientific research done and plenty of practical experience on what works and what doesn’t. If you pick up the wrong things, that won’t lead to the desired result. And it’s a lot harder to get disappointed people back on board. What you need is knowledge, tools, and energy!
  • Start measuring in your organization how happy employees feel from day to day. So this is not the same as the annual Employee Satisfaction Survey (happiness at work and job satisfaction are two different concepts, with different inputs and outputs).

How are you going to approach it? Is this a one-off or a sustainable change?

  • Will you regularly do something (small), so that there is attention for happiness at work over a longer period? Be careful not to get stuck in superficialities and small, nice things. Fruit at work doesn’t make anyone truly happy.
  • Determine why you are going to do this, what do you want to solve or contribute to. Why do you find happiness at work important? What goals do you want to achieve? Is happiness at work a goal or a means?
  • Or are you starting to implement happiness at work as a business model? Then you’re working systematically on helping people become happier themselves, developing personal leadership. And you’re working on a culture and structure where happiness at work belongs. Want to know more about how to approach that? Read our book the Happy Office Manifesto

What can you do? Our best ideas

  • Organize a Happiness at Work breakfast on Monday morning
  • Arrange a town hall meeting where the CEO explains why Happiness at Work is personally important to her/him/them
  • All sign the Happiness at Work Manifesto (also available as a poster) or create your own manifesto
  • Host an interactive inspiration session about happiness at work during lunch (need a speaker?)
  • Set up a challenge, such as a feedback challenge or a vitality challenge (or join one of the challenges during the International Week of Happiness at Work)
  • Organize a team lunch where everyone brings something (e.g., a favorite childhood dish or something that represents their family)
  • Hold a discussion about what Happiness at Work can bring to you and how you can achieve more Happiness at Work in your team(s)
  • Start measuring work happiness during the Week of Happiness at Work
  • Organize a discussion on the pros and cons of Happiness at Work
  • Create a “Happiness at Work moments” wall, where everyone posts their moments of Happiness at Work with sticky notes, photos, or notes
  • Arrange a workshop on preventing burnout and managing stress
  • Spend an afternoon watching inspiring TED talks with your colleagues
  • Begin mapping out the employee journey
  • Clean up the office, distribution center, store, hospital, or wherever you work together—pick up all the litter (it feels good!)
  • Start a vegetable garden next to the office or on the roof for your own tomatoes
  • Organize a Lego Serious Play session to talk about work happiness, values, or purpose
  • Give a workshop at an elementary school about your organization
  • Place three compliment cards on each desk for colleagues to give to one another
  • Write a manifesto about what you stand for and what is really important to you as a team (need an example or help?)
  • Play Personality Poker to get to know each other better
  • Spend an afternoon working for a good cause with your team
  • Start a book, knitting, cycling, or walking club
  • Have coffee with the company next door and invite them back (with cake, of course)
  • Post a different joke every day by the coffee machine (or a thought-provoking quote)
  • Find a fun way to visualize the organization’s goals and track progress
  • Invite a yoga instructor for a lunchtime session
  • Start the day with a challenge (e.g., planking)
  • Tell your colleagues what you like about them
  • Learn to give good feedback and do it
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