On Blue Monday, Staples Solutions created a pop-up ‘Happy Space’ on Baker Street, London, to raise the spirits of office workers. The space featured office puppies, giant SAD lamps and free massages. Research launched today by Staples Solutions, ‘In Pursuit of Office Happiness’, has found that 81% of UK office workers say their office space has a direct impact on their mental health.

Puppies pictured at the pop up this morning.


BUSINESSES FAILING TO MAKE THEIR OFFICE WORKERS HAPPY
Staples study warns workers do not feel valued or fulfilled in their offices

81% of UK office workers say workspaces impact mental health
Staff loyalty at risk – nearly half believe they’d be happier in another job
68% would feel more valued if their employers invested in their workspaces

LONDON, 21 JANUARY 2019: Heading back into the office after the festive season is a hard pill to swallow for many office workers, leading to a combination of workplace absenteeism, job unhappiness, and reduced productivity. In fact, the lack of worker enthusiasm in January is even estimated to cost the UK economy £93 billion[i] a year. That is why Staples is building the business case for employers to make their workspaces happier.

In its latest research report ‘In Pursuit of Office Happiness’, Staples has found that happy workspaces help workers feel valued, achieve their goals and work more productively. Key findings show that too many businesses are currently failing to keep their workers happy – and that the physical work environment itself is an important part of promoting workplace happiness:
One-in-five describe their office workspace as ‘depressing’
81% say their office space has an impact on their mental health
68% would feel more valued at work if their organisation invested in their workspaces
46% believe they’d be happier in another job altogether
31% are ashamed of their workspace

Professor Sir Cary Cooper, expert in workplace happiness and author of Well-