it's possible. at Yes, Is it Possible to Find Joy at Work? The cap on my tea kettle spout says “Whistle While You Work.” Some mornings I’m too busy to notice it as I rush out the door. And I rarely remember the chipper tune Snow White sings in the 1937 Disney movie as she cleans. Place matters too. Because the reality is that a physical change in space is a visible and tangible way to shape behavior and communicate to employees that they’re valued. The workplace has an impact on different aspects of wellbeing that we don’t always realize — our bodies, minds and emotions. Our research found that doing an office update actually influences engagement levels.

In this issue, we offer a broad range of ideas and insights for organizations about how to create workplaces that spark joy by addressing essential employee needs. We offer our latest global employee research and ideas from Steelcase designers around the world about how space can promote various dimensions of wellbeing. We explore new spaces that help people manage when real life intersects with work, whether they need to rest, pray or pump. We look at ways space can better support people doing the hard work of high-stakes business transformation or fast-paced manufacturing. And we share some solutions and spaces that just make us happy.

Our goal is to help the world work better — and that includes infusing a little more joy at work. Chris Congdon
Editor in Chief, Work Better Magazine Joy Work Researchers Sarah Johnson (right) and Melanie Redman (middle) review survey research with Work Better Editor In Chief Chris Congdon. Our most recent global research with employees from all kinds of organizations around the world confirms what many of us feel — people are struggling. Leaders are looking for increases in productivity and innovation. And while workers report their productivity is holding steady, their work-life balance has continued to drop over the past three years. Nearly half say they don’t have the health and energy they need, nor do they find their work interesting or engaging and they are concerned about their mental health.

With that backdrop, finding joy at work may sound difficult to achieve. But it is possible.

It starts with understanding that creating joy isn’t about making everyone happy every minute of the day — it’s about helping people feel like they matter as human beings and that they and their work have value. Organizations can make a difference by focusing on what people actually need to feel well at work. In fact, simply asking and taking people’s needs into consideration boosts wellbeing.

Leading organizations already pursue a variety of actions and policies to support their employees. They can redesign jobs to give more people more autonomy and control over their work, and help people connect what they do to a larger purpose. People have more flexibility than ever, yet they’re still struggling to balance work and life. See what people surveyed in 11 countries have to say. The Wellbeing Dilemma April 23 People have more flexibility than ever, yet they’re still struggling to balance work and life. See what people surveyed in 11 countries have to say.​ New Inclusion Center Welcomes Everyone July 08 The Wellbeing Dilemma April 23 Wellbeing is the foundation of joy. Read about the six dimensions Steelcase researchers say spark joy and help people feel better at work. ​ Rethinking Wellbeing May 06 Designing for Joy May 13 Designers can help create conditions in the workplace that actually help people’s wellbeing. Eight Steelcase global designers offer their most ‘joyful’ design edits.​ Wellbeing is the foundation of joy. Read about the six dimensions Steelcase researchers say spark joy and help people feel better at work. ​ May 06 Wellbeing is the foundation of joy. Read about the six dimensions Steelcase researchers say spark joy and help people feel better at work. Rethinking Wellbeing Wellbeing is the foundation of joy. Read about the six dimensions Steelcase researchers say spark joy and help people feel better at work. ​ Well Played July 15 Sustainable online retailer Goodee recently moved into their new office after pandemic delays. Follow their journey as they inspire us to slow down, appreciate craftsmanship, and the importance of community. Discover the new spaces created by Steelcase designers that acknowledge our shared humanity and allow us to bring our whole selves to work. May 13 Designers can help create conditions in the workplace that actually help people’s wellbeing. Eight Steelcase global designers offer their most ‘joyful’ design edits. Designing for Joy Making Space
for Well Beings June 03
Embracing The
Human Factor May 28 How organizations like Bosch, Pepsi and Steelcase are creating more human-centered industrial spaces that improve employee wellbeing.​ May 20 Business transformation initiatives are accelerating a shift in how teams collaborate. New collaboration spaces help teams deliver results faster.
High Stakes Business Tranformation Combining Purpose + Design July 22 How Designtex, a Steelcase brand, leverages neuroaesthetics to create fabrics that evoke happiness and delight while ensuring durability for demanding healthcare environments.​ Business transformation initiatives are accelerating a shift in how teams collaborate. New collaboration spaces help teams deliver results faster. May 28 How organizations like Bosch, Pepsi and Steelcase are creating more human-centered industrial spaces that improve employee wellbeing. Embracing the Human Factor High-Stakes Business Transformation May 20
The New Power
of Privacy June 24 Access to privacy is critical in today’s workplace. Steelcase Researchers share insights about the new demands and motivations surrounding hybrid work​. Embrace the power of play! Gaming isn’t just for leisure; it can enhance creativity, problem-solving, and wellbeing. June 03 Discover the new spaces created by Steelcase designers that acknowledge our shared humanity and allow us to bring our whole selves to work. Making Space for Well Beings June 10 What would make that experience of gathering in the office more enjoyable, comfortable and productive? Read about the Coalesse Ensemble Lounge System – the new gathering place that works. The New Gathering Place World of Learning June 17 The New
Gathering Place June 10 What would make the experience of gathering in the office more enjoyable, comfortable and productive? Read about the Coalesse Ensemble Lounge System – the new gathering place that works. June 17 Three schools from different parts of the world share how their new spaces engage students, create connections and foster wellbeing
World of Learning A Healing Touch August 05 Remote work has made the workplace more important than ever. ANSR CEO Lalit Ahuja explains why. Connecting to Culture August 19 June 24 Access to privacy is critical in today’s workplace: Steelcase Researchers share insights about the new demands and motivations surrounding hybrid work.
The New Power of Privacy July 08 The new home to the Special Olympics of Michigan prioritizes accessibility and wellbeing. Through the inclusive design process, the people who use this space were instrumental in informing the design. New Inclusion Center Welcomes Everyone July 15 Embrace the power of play! Gaming isn’t just for leisure; it can enhance creativity, problem-solving, and wellbeing. Now some organizations are taking cues from universities and leveraging gaming to make work more productive, engaging and fun.
Well Played July 22 Sustainable online retailer Goodee recently moved into their new office after pandemic delays. Follow their journey as they inspire us to slow down, appreciate craftsmanship, and the importance of community. Combining Purpose + Design August 05 How Designtex, a Steelcase brand, leverages neuroaesthetics to create fabrics that evoke happiness and delight while ensuring durability for demanding healthcare environments. A Healing Touch August 19 As remote work becomes more prevalent, the role of the office is evolving. ANSR CEO and Founder Lalit Ahuja emphasizes that workplaces must make the company’s brand and culture tangible for globally distributed teams. Connecting to Culture Inside This Issue Each week we will be exploring different aspects of wellbeing and share insights and research about how to create workplaces that spark moments of joy and help people feel good at work. Can't Wait? Read the entire issue of Work Better magazine and learn what organizations need to do to make joy at work possible. GET YOUR COPY Play Episode 1 Sparking Joy at Work with
special guest Ingrid Fetell Lee 04/23/2024 Joy at
Work Sparking Broken? Play Episode 2 Is Our Attitude About Work
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Barry Schwartz 04/30/2024 Attitude About Work Is Our Creating a Brain
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Elena Sabinson 05/28/2024 How Different Embracing Play Episode 5 05/21/2024 on Teams Women Why You Need More Women
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Anita Woolley 05/21/2024 More Why You Need The Science "Aha!" Moments of Play Episode 4 The Science of “Aha!” Moments
with special guest Alex Soojung-
Kim Pang 05/14/2024 "Aha!" Play Episode 1 Sparking Joy at Work with
special guest Ingrid Fetell Lee 04/23/2024 Joy at
Work Sparking Why
We Need at Work Play Episode 8 Why We Need More Humor at
Work with special guests Naomi
Bagdonas + Jennifer Aaker 06/11/2024 More Humor Why
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guest Mauro Guillén 06/04/2024 Our Breaking Play Episode 4 05/14/2024 Moments of The Science of “Aha!” Moments
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Kim Pang 05/14/2024 "Aha!" The Science Is Our 04/30/2024 Is Our Attitude About Work
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Barry Schwartz Broken? Play Episode 2 Is Our Attitude About Work
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Barry Schwartz 04/30/2024 Attitude About Work Is Our Creating a Play Episode 3 Creating a Brain Healthy
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Workplace 05/07/2024 on Teams Women Play Episode 5 Why You Need More Women
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Anita Woolley 05/21/2024 More Why You Need Embracing Embracing How Different Our
Brains Are with special guest
Elena Sabinson 05/28/2024 Our
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guest Mauro Guillén 06/04/2024 Our Breaking Why
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We Need Play Episode 1 Sparking Joy at Work with special guest Ingrid Fetell Lee 04/23/2024 Joy at
Work Sparking Play Episode 2 04/30/2024 Is Our Attitude About Work
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Barry Schwartz Broken? Attitude About Work Is Our Play Episode 7
Breaking Our Obsession with Generations with special guest Mauro Guillén 06/04/2024 With
Generations Obsession Our Breaking Play Episode 8 06/11/2024 Why We Need More Humor at Work with special guests Naomi Bagdonas + Jennifer Aaker at Work More Humor Why
We Need Why You Need More Women on Teams with special guest Anita Woolley Play Episode 5 05/21/2024 on Teams Women More Why You Need Play Episode 3 05/07/2024 Creating a Brain Healthy
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Workplace Creating a Play Episode 4 The Science of “Aha!” Moments with special guest Alex Soojung-Kim Pang 05/14/2024 Moments of "Aha!" The Science Play Episode 6 Embracing How Different Our Brains Are with special guest Elena Sabinson 05/28/2024 Our
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Are How Different Embracing Season 4 Help Spread Joy at Work Keep the conversation going about how to find, create and design moments of joy at work. Subscribe to the Work Better podcast — where we think about work and ways to make it better — anywhere you listen and share an episode with a friend. Apple Podcasts Spotify