Maartje Wolff and Fennande van der Meulen
We all know that sometimes work can be a drag, but if it’s a great place to be and people are happy, they are more likely to perform better. That’s the premise of International Week of Happiness at Work, which runs Sept. 25-29.
Maartje Wolff and Fennande van der Meulen, two Dutch women, launched the International Week of Happiness at Work in 2018, but it’s more of a do-it-yourself type of thing. All they ask is that you find ways to make being at work a happier place.
Their manifesto states, “Happier employees are more involved, more productive, more cooperative, more creative, and more innovative. They are less likely to call in sick and there is a decreased chance they will experience a burnout.”
The women also are founders of Happy Office which helps organizations “design a positive work culture with vitality and positivity.”
Several countries including Belgium, Croatia and Brazil have signed their manifesto and joined the movement. Although the U.S. has not, that doesn’t mean it’s too late. The website explains how one person can get the movement started in their own country and provides all kinds of ideas about how to build a happier work culture.