Research: Happiness and productivity – understanding the happy-productive worker

Happiness can have a huge impact on productivity and therefore its importance in the workplace is vital but is enough done to ensure it happens? In a joint briefing paper from the Social Market Foundation and the University of Warwick’s Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE) the duo examine the results of their joint 700 people strong experimental work to show the link between happiness and productivity.

This report examines:

How in three different styles of experiment a 10-minute comedy clip or the provision of drinks and snacks not only makes the participants happier but increases productivity by 12% too.
Shows that shocks such as bereavement and family illness can impact productivity for around two years.
Finds that the main route from happiness to productivity is via increased effort by workers.
Suggests what policies could work to improve happiness and productivity.

Download Happiness and Productivity: Understanding the happy-productive worker