Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters - by Jan-Emmanuel de Neve & George Ward (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Most of us spend a third of our waking lives at work. Work sets our schedules, influences our relationships, shapes our identities, and drives our economies. But is it actually making us happy? This is a deep and profoundly important question, and now leading Oxford researchers Jan-Emmanuel De Neve and George Ward provide the richest, most comprehensive picture yet of workplace wellbeing. In Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters, the authors provide clarity on what workplace wellbeing is (and is not), and how to think about and approach it as a business. Mining a variety of the largest and most in-depth data sources-including a unique, massive dataset gathered in partnership with the jobs platform Indeed-the book illustrates the remarkable ways in which wellbeing at work varies across workers, companies, industries, and geographies. It also provides new, data-driven insights into the origins of workplace happiness and how to effectively move the needle on improving our working lives. Drawing on work in economics, psychology, sociology, management, and other disciplines, the authors explain that workplace wellbeing includes both how we think about our work as a whole and how we feel while we're at work. They show, using innovative new data and empirical methods, that improving wellbeing can help raise productivity as well as aid in the retention and recruitment of talent-ultimately leading to companies' better financial performance. With keen insight and nuanced analysis, Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters dispels myths and tests assumptions that have arisen amidst an often-confusing cacophony of voices on wellbeing at work. It also provides a firm foundation and indispensable resource for leaders as they shape the future of work"--

Book Synopsis

The definitive account of workplace wellbeing and its key drivers, offering a fresh, data-driven perspective on the connections between happiness, productivity, and organizational success.

Most of us spend a third of our waking lives at work. Work shapes our schedules, relationships, identities, and economies--but is it actually making us happy? This crucial question is explored in depth by leading Oxford researchers Jan-Emmanuel De Neve and George Ward, who provide the richest, most comprehensive picture of workplace wellbeing yet.

In Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters, the authors clarify what workplace wellbeing is (and is not) and offer a framework for how businesses can approach and improve it. Drawing on extensive large-scale data--including the world's largest data set on employee wellbeing, gathered in partnership with the jobs platform Indeed--the book reveals the remarkable ways in which wellbeing at work varies across workers, occupations, companies, and industries.

The authors present new, evidence-based insights into the origins of workplace wellbeing and how businesses can enhance the employee experience. Integrating work from multiple academic disciplines, they show that workplace wellbeing encompasses both how we think about our work as a whole and how we feel while doing it. Their research demonstrates that improving wellbeing can boost productivity, aid in talent retention and recruitment, and ultimately improve financial performance.

With in-depth analysis and keen insight, De Neve and Ward debunk myths and test assumptions amid an often confusing cacophony of voices on wellbeing at work. Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters provides a firm foundation and indispensable resource for leaders seeking to shape the future of work.

Review Quotes

"They have done some of the best analysis in the field seeking to understand the drivers of wellbeing, and its links to productivity." -- Financial Times

Advance Praise for Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters:

"Workplace wellbeing is more important but also more elusive than ever. The good news is that De Neve and Ward have given us an evidence-based guide to finding it. This book is truly essential reading for every leader in business today." -- Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology, Yale University; host, The Happiness Lab podcast

"Finally--a smart, complete, and readable account of the science of workplace wellbeing, along with practical advice about how to improve it. Forget all that nonsense about effective habits and visionary leadership. This is the book every executive, manager, and business owner should read." -- Daniel Gilbert, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University; author, New York Times bestseller Stumbling on Happiness

"How we feel at work not only matters greatly for human wellbeing, it's also crucial to company performance. De Neve and Ward provide us with the evidence and tools we need to take workplace wellbeing and performance to the next level. This book is a game changer." -- Diana Han, MD, Chief Health and Wellbeing Officer, Unilever

"Wellbeing is good for us: it makes us happier, healthier, and more resilient. Finally, in this splendid book, De Neve and Ward also give us compelling evidence that wellbeing is measurable and profitable." -- Martin Seligman, Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania; author, New York Times bestseller Authentic Happiness

"'Workplace wellbeing matters.' Everyone says this, but what is workplace wellbeing and how can we improve it? This excellent, evidence-rich book opens the black box and identifies the specific features of workplace wellbeing that are linked to improved performance, providing practical steps for managers to enhance them." -- Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance, London Business School; author, Grow the Pie: How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose and Profit

"It's clear we're in a new era for organizations in which the ability to attract and retain talent is absolutely critical to innovation and success. This book conclusively demonstrates that workplace wellbeing should underpin any company's strategy. A must-read." -- Loren Shuster, Chief People Officer, LEGO Group

About the Author

Jan-Emmanuel De Neve is Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at the University of Oxford, where he directs the Wellbeing Research Centre. His research, published in top academic journals, was included among "The Management Ideas That Mattered Most" by Harvard Business Review. He is an editor of the World Happiness Report and coauthor of the preeminent textbook on wellbeing science.

George Ward earned his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is currently the Mary Ewart Junior Research Fellow in Economics at Somerville College, University of Oxford. He coauthored The Origins of Happiness: The Science of Well-Being over the Life Course and has published widely on the topic of human wellbeing in leading academic journals.