Is Happiness Slipping Away…and Should We Worry?
THE SITUATION
For the first time in history, the US did not make the Top 20 happiest countries list.
Over the past two decades, happiness in the U.S. has steadily declined.
Historically, significant drops in national happiness have been linked to major traumatic events, such as the Great Depression, the 9/11 attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these crises led to widespread economic instability, social distress, and uncertainty, profoundly affecting the well-being of the population.
The current low state of happiness in the U.S. isn't driven by one major traumatic event like in the past; instead, it’s the result of a cumulative build-up of smaller, persistent challenges. Economic pressures, political polarization, rising mental health issues, and work-related stress have gradually chipped away at well-being. This prolonged accumulation of stressors, though less abrupt, is just as impactful, creating a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction that’s harder to resolve because it isn’t tied to a single, disruptive event, with an end in sight. This slow erosion of happiness represents a deeper, more complex challenge for society to address.
As if that weren’t enough, workplace well-being has also taken a sharp downturn in recent years, with a significant decline post-pandemic. The rollback of flexibility and autonomy that employees experienced during the pandemic has contributed to a sense of disempowerment and stress.
With happiness in the U.S. steadily declining over the past two decades, and workplace well-being following suit, we must ask: is unhappiness the new epidemic?
🧐 THE STATS 📊
59% of workers, 66% of managers, and 71% of C-suite executives in the U.S. would consider leaving their current jobs for one that better supports their well-being. - John Hopkins Business School
74% of life satisfaction is influenced by job quality, including factors like job security, fair pay and a supportive work environment. - Deloitte
THE REFERENCE ARTICLE
World Happiness Report Wellbeing at Work
🤔 WHAT MGXW CONSULTING THINKS
The U.S. recently fell out of the top 20 happiest countries in the World Happiness Report for the first time, and this decline aligns with a broader downturn in workplace well-being. The two are closely tied because of the significant role work plays in people’s lives.
Work is a key determinant of overall life satisfaction. Studies show that people who experience high levels of job satisfaction and work-life balance report better overall well-being.
Conversely, workplace stress😫, burnout, 🔥and lack of flexibility directly correlate with lower life satisfaction. In the U.S., a decline in workplace well-being—marked by stress, lack of work-life balance ⚖️, and economic pressures—has contributed to the country's overall dip in happiness.
🚉 🚘 The new Amazon 5-day RTO (Return to Work) mandate is an emblem of the broader issue many organizations face in the post-pandemic world. Flexibility has emerged as a key driver of workplace satisfaction, with studies showing that workers who have control over their work environment are more productive and report higher levels of well-being.
Gallup and other surveys consistently show that employees who can work remotely or have hybrid work options report less burnout and stress. If flexibility is removed, especially on a large scale by major employers like Amazon, it could set a dangerous precedent, potentially contributing to an even greater decline in national happiness
America’s historical struggles with work-life balance—long hours, limited paid time off, insufficient parental leave, and an "always-on" culture—compound this problem.
Many European nations, such as 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇩🇰 Denmark, and the 🇳🇱 Netherlands, rank higher in happiness because they emphasize shorter workweeks, extensive paid leave, and strong labor protections. These policies foster a healthier balance between work and life, which the 🇺🇸 U.S. sorely lacks.
By removing flexibility and increasing demands for in-office work, companies risk alienating employees, causing higher levels of stress, and worsening mental health outcomes. This trend can significantly undermine overall well-being, not just for workers but for society at large, because happier workers tend to lead to healthier, more engaged communities.
While workplace conditions aren't the only factor affecting happiness, they are a critical one.
Without addressing these key issues, the U.S. faces the risk of sliding further down in global happiness rankings, making it more challenging to return to the top 20. For organizations to truly foster well-being, they must adapt to new expectations for flexibility, autonomy, and mental health support in the modern workforce and become Modern Genuine & eXceptional Workplaces.
⚕️ "Workplace well-being isn’t just a perk; it’s a prerequisite for sustained success. When employees thrive, so do organizations—well-being fuels engagement, innovation, and loyalty, creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the office." 🏥
DO THIS ONE THING☝🏼
🥇Start Your Day with a "WIN RITUAL" 🏆 Set the tone for a successful and positive workday by creating a win ritual—a small, intentional action that gives you a sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning. It could be as simple as organizing your workspace, making a to-do list of priorities, or finishing a quick task. This small win triggers a positive momentum that carries throughout the day, increasing your sense of control and reducing feelings of overwhelm.
A win ritual not only sets you up for a more productive day but also boosts your confidence and well-being by starting with success, no matter how small!
