Canadian workers' happiness level unchanged: report

Workers’ happiness level has not changed over the past month, according to an ADP Canada report.

The National Work Happiness Score for February 2024 was 6.7/10, just as it was in January.

For February, Canadians scored 6.9 out of 10, which was also similar to the data from the previous month.

Respondents, meanwhile, showed little improvement when it comes to secondary happiness indicators in the index:

• Work-life balance - 6.9/10, up by 0.1
• Recognition and support - 6.7/10, up by 0.1
• Compensation and benefits - 6.3/10, up by 0.2
• Options for career advancement - 6.1/19, up by 0.2

Having close relationships is the top pillar for employee happiness this 2024, according to a previous report.

Workers’ happiness levels across Canadian regions, age groups

"Despite an unchanged Work Happiness Score this month, February reshuffles the cards, with some regions climbing to the top three for the first time,” said Heather Haslam, vice president of marketing, ADP Canada. “Notably, Atlantic Canada is the happiest this month, with Alberta seeing the greatest increase in satisfaction levels and now tying with Québec.”

According to the survey of 1,200 Canadians, regionally, the happiness levels for February are:

• Atlantic Canada - 7.1/10, up by 0.4
• British Columbia - 7.0/10, up by 0.3
• Quebec - 6.9/10, up by 0.1
• Alberta - 6.9/10, up by 0.3
• Ontario - 6.5/10, down by 0.1

Among age groups, baby boomers are far happier compared to the rest:

• Baby boomers - 7.7/10, up by 0.6
• Gen Z - 6.7/10, no change
• Millennials - 6.6/10, no change
• Gen X - 6.6/10, up by 0.1

Happy workers are productive workers, according to an Indeed whitepaper.

How do you make workers happy?

Haslam noted that the winter may have been a reason why the happiness levels of younger workers did not change, and it’s time for employers to consider some activities to make them happy.

"The winter may be difficult for some, with less socialization and time spent outside, he said. “Now may be a good time to consider in-person team activities, especially targeting the younger generations in the workplace, as we are noticing that Gen Z and Millennial workers have not shown any increase in happiness in a few months."

Thomas Kunjappu is the CEO and co-founder of Cleary, an employee experience platform for distributed workforces, shared via Fast Company, the three factors that can impact workers’ happiness:

1. Transparency
2. Authenticity
3. Culture/community

“By focusing the employee experience conversation on the three key areas of transparency, authenticity, and culture, people leaders can help create workspaces where new and tenured hires feel valued, respected, and overall, much happier in their day-to-day schedule,” he said.

“Revamping employee experience initiatives catered to a hybrid workforce helps support more dynamic, innovative, and productive teams. In doing so, organizations as a whole contribute not only to the well-being of their employees, but also to shaping a more humane and fulfilling future of work.”

A previous report noted that employees are happy, but not thriving.