Is employee happiness solely the responsibility of HR?

Responsibility for employee happiness in the workplace is a topic gaining increasing prominence, especially given the current concerning reality. According to Infojobs data, 61% of professionals do not feel satisfied or happy in their jobs, and 76% say they know someone who needed to take a leave of absence from work for psychological reasons. Traditionally, the Human Resources department is seen as primarily responsible for promoting employee satisfaction and well-being. However, this may be a limited view. 

That's what Renata Rivetti, Director and Consultant, explains. Reconnect Happiness at Workduring their participation in Speaking HRFrom Pandapé's podcast, Infojobs' HR software. For the expert, the HR sector does have a crucial role in monitoring and creating strategies to ensure employee happiness at a company. However, the work can't be done alone. "HR will create the strategy, promote the action, but if there isn't engagement from leaders in building this, and if the people themselves don't change their daily routines and seek these changes, we won't be happy at work." 

Rivetti emphasizes that, first and foremost, we need to dispel the myths surrounding corporate happiness: “For a long time, HR thought it was a matter of strategies like benefits, beautiful environments, and decompression rooms, and while all of this is important, no one wakes up motivated and happy just because they received a company mug. Work happiness is about three key aspects: quality of life, where we seek a balance between personal and professional; finding challenges in the work itself, using our gifts, talents, and passions to feel fulfilled; and relationships, building an environment of empathetic listening, appreciation, and psychological safety. When we focus on these aspects, it's possible to be happy at work, enjoy what we do, and have good relationships, though it's a continuous process.” 

This constant exchange of information and insights not only strengthens the bond between collaborators, but also contributes to building a healthy and productive environment. A study by Said Business School pointed out that happier workers are 12% more productive than those who are dissatisfied. 

For this to happen, Hosana Azevedo, Head of HR at Infojobs and spokesperson for... PandapeIt emphasizes the importance of effective communication across all levels of the organization: "Transparent and open communication is essential for employees to feel heard and valued. When there's a constant flow of feedback and suggestions, not only from HR but also from leadership and among colleagues themselves, a culture of trust and mutual respect is created. This allows for the quick identification of problems that may affect employee well-being and allows for proactive solutions."

The specialist emphasizes that digital solutions are vital for evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies within the team: "By utilizing Human Capital Management (HCM) tools, HR departments can implement more precise and efficient strategies to promote employee well-being. Through these platforms, it's possible to identify specific areas needing improvement and develop professional development programs, training, or well-being initiatives tailored to individual employee needs. Additionally, adopting technology facilitates communication and continuous feedback between employees and leadership, establishing a more transparent and participatory environment."

While it's crucial to recognize that workplace happiness is a shared responsibility across all levels of the organization, the role of HR remains vital. "The department creates strategies, promotes actions, and provides support for developing an environment where employees can thrive. However, it is only through the collaboration of everyone involved, including leadership and individual employees, that we can build a truly happy, productive, and fulfilling workplace," concludes Hosana Azevedo.