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- United States
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- Every September 20-25
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International Week of Happiness at Work runs from September 20 to 25 each year, highlighting the crucial role of employee well-being. This initiative encourages organizations to foster positive work environments and empowers individuals to find more joy in their daily tasks. Discover actionable steps to boost morale, enhance productivity, and create a thriving workplace culture.
Want to sponsor International Week of Happiness at Work? Learn how
History of International Week of Happiness at Work
Employee satisfaction is an essential factor in a company’s performance and productivity. Happy employees make for more productive workplaces. A satisfied employee will think positively about the business, work harder, and contribute to the firm’s overall goals.
Back in the 1960s, when a select group of economists and psychologists began advocating for a more holistic approach to productivity in the workplace, these researchers believed that traditional models of work were failing to capture how human beings operate and actively stifled them.
In 1969, Arthur Janov published ‘The Primal Scream’, an influential book about mental health that included an appendix about ‘Primal Therapy Groups’ for businesses. It was one of the earliest known applications of psychology in a professional setting.
Abraham Maslow published ‘Motivation and Personality’ in 1977, which explored the concept of self-actualization in workers and how it could be attained through fulfilling needs at various stages of his ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ concept. Maartje Wolff and Fennande van der Meulen, two Dutch women, started the International Week of Happiness at Work in 2017. They are the founders of Happy Office, which introduces a program that allows you to incorporate happiness into the workplace to have happier employees.
International Week of Happiness at Work timeline
Researchers find that traditional models of work fail to capture human expression.
Abraham Maslow publishes “Motivation and Personality,” exploring self-actualization in workers.
Arthur Janov publishes “The Primal Scream,” a book on primal therapy groups for businesses.
Maartje Wolff and Fennande van der Meulen, start the International Week of Happiness at Work.
International Week of Happiness at Work FAQs
When is International Week of Happiness at Work?
International Week of Happiness at Work 2026 runs from Sunday, September 20 to Friday, September 25, encouraging workplaces to prioritize employee well-being and foster positive environments.
What percentage of employees are happy at work?
According to a 2023 Gallup report, only about 33% of employees in the U.S. are engaged in their work, suggesting a significant opportunity for improvement in workplace happiness and satisfaction.
What is the economic impact of employee happiness?
Studies consistently show that happy employees are more productive, innovative, and loyal, leading to lower turnover rates and higher profitability. Companies with highly engaged workforces can see a 21% increase in profitability.
What are the key benefits of happiness at work?
Happiness at work leads to numerous benefits, including increased productivity, enhanced creativity, better problem-solving skills, and improved collaboration among team members. It also contributes to better mental and physical health.
International Week of Happiness at Work Activities
Plan a group activity outside of work
If there isn’t an office bowling league already, why not start one? You could also check out local restaurants or live music venues for other opportunities to do something fun together or even an office-wide dance party!
Bring snacks to share with your co-workers
When we are hungry, our moods are not the best. Instead of having an “empty stomach” day at work, why not bring in some healthy snacks to share? It will help you feel energized and upbeat throughout the day — and it will be a pleasant surprise for your co-workers, too!
Play a game together during break time
Get competitive by organizing a games event. Set up a table with board games and card games so that people can play casually throughout the day.
5 Facts You Want To Know About Work
We spend huge amounts of time working
The average person will work 100,000 hours over their lifetime, half the time they’re awake!
Americans are not fond of their jobs
A Gallup Poll found that only 13% of workers in the U.S. are happy in their jobs.
People want to spend time with pets
About 40% of employees said they would take a pay cut if they could bring their dog to work every day.
Office cleanliness is important to workers
The majority of employees will notice the cleanliness and organization of their workspace.
Americans are bad at taking breaks
They skip vacation time or take less time off than they are entitled to so they avoid being slackers.
Why We Love International Week of Happiness at Work
Reminder to live happier lives
It is meant to serve as a reminder to live happier lives and be more positive. Happiness at work helps us do better work and feel good about our jobs, and that's why we should all be trying to create happier workplaces."
It gives us a chance to focus on the human side of work
It is an opportunity to think about how we respond to the challenges that lie ahead. It causes us to find ways to positively shape our working environment so we can thrive and grow.
It gives a chance to share
It is also important because it gives people and organizations a chance to share their own stories and experiences of creating a happy workplace. We all must support each other in our joint mission to help more people find happiness at work.
International Week of Happiness at Work dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 20–25 | Sunday–Friday |
| 2027 | September 20–25 | Monday–Saturday |
| 2028 | September 20–25 | Wednesday–Monday |
| 2029 | September 20–25 | Thursday–Tuesday |
| 2030 | September 20–25 | Friday–Wednesday |
