Remote work, fair pay, wellbeing key drivers of workplace happiness
Empowerment is the most important driver of workplace happiness in Australia, says WorkL’s latest annual report, which analyses global data from more than 100,000 organisations.
Technology sector has the highest employee engagement, the latest global workplace report 2024 from employee experience platform WorkL has found.
This means that technology companies have found the magic potion that gets the best out of their employees and keeps them happy at work.
The report has also found that in Australia, empowerment is the most important driver of workplace happiness.
The WorkL annual workplace report is based on data from 400,000 individual entries from 100,000 organisations from around the world.
Among the important global trends identified in the report this year are:
■ Remote and hybrid work has become mainstream, after the pandemic.
■ Remote workers feel trusted by their management.
■ Fair pay is still a critical issue that needs to be addressed.
■ Return to office is still being widely negotiated by companies with no clear solution in sight.
■ Lack of career development opportunities is a key driver behind flight risk, which is a measure of the probability of employees wanting to leave their organisation.
■ Mental health is a major concern for younger employees in the 25-34 age group, who are seeking the help of their employers.
The world of work has changed significantly from when I first started work 42 years ago, says WorkL’s highly engaged and successful founder Mark Price.
“Working from home and four-day work weeks were unheard of,” he says. “What hasn’t changed is that happiness at work is something that employers now understand to be inextricably linked with success.”
Employee happiness is measurable and is directly correlated to profitability and growth of companies, Price says. The six key dimensions of workplace happiness are 1. Reward and Recognition; 2. Information Sharing; 3. Empowerment; 4. Wellbeing; 5. Sense of Pride; and 6. Job Satisfaction, according to WorkL’s acclaimed and widely used methodology.
In Australia, WorkL’s methodology for measuring workplace happiness powers The Australian’s Best Places to Work, which lists the nation’s happiest and most engaged places to work.
■ The list of The Australian Best Places to Work 2024 was published in September this year.
Building Engineering, which has 103 staff, was included in The Australian Best Places to Work 2024. It places a high value on the key dimensions of workplace happiness, and takes the effort to measure its employee engagement through WorkL’s methodology.
“At Building Engineering, our commitment to employee happiness revolves around empowerment, career advancement, fair pay, and well-being,” the company says. “We foster an inclusive culture where everyone’s voice is heard, and career growth is supported at every level. Our flat management structure empowers staff to take ownership of their roles, with opportunities for advancement through internal promotions, leadership training, and continuous skills development.”
Work-life balance is a priority for Building Engineering, which offers its employees flexible work arrangements, including remote work options. “Our Employee Assistance Program and well-being initiatives, such as office yoga and monthly massages, reinforce our dedication to their mental and physical health.”
Building Engineering ensures fair pay and regularly reviews compensation “to ensure it aligns with industry standards and that all employees feel valued for their contributions”. “With a focus on team spirit, our social committee organises events that keep morale high, and our community engaged,” the company says. “By offering career progression, flexibility, and a focus on well-being, Building Engineering ensures that our employees thrive personally and professionally, making us a standout in the industry.”
Affinity MSP, an IT services provider in Australia, says workplace happiness is a key focus behind the evolution of the organisation.
“At Affinity MSP, we believe workplace happiness is fundamental to organizational success. By focusing on career growth, empowerment, and well-being, we’ve cultivated an environment where employees thrive personally and professionally,” says Affinity MSP’s CEO and founder Nick Ower.
“Empowerment is ingrained in our culture. We trust our employees with autonomy, encourage innovation, and actively involve them in decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership and purpose in their work.”
Ower says remote work has been transformative. “By removing geographical barriers, we’ve attracted the best talent nationwide, allowing employees to balance work and life seamlessly,” he says. “This flexibility has helped us scale nationally without traditional office expenses, focusing on the best person for the job, not location.”
It’s easy to send an entry to The Australian Best Places to Work 2025: go to https://workl.com/business/workplace-awards/the-australian-au/
Entry fee varies depending on the size of organisation. Entries close 31 May 2025.