We spend more of our lives working than doing anything else. So it follows that if you are unhappy at work, your outlook on life is going to be pretty miserable. But if you enjoy it, everything will look much brighter.

As International Week of Happiness at Work week draws to a close, one of the key messages is that if you are unhappy, you need to make changes.

This can be anything from addressing an issue with a colleague who is making things difficult or unpleasant, speaking up about ideas you may have about the way things are done, or raising any concerns you may have.

It can be anything from a quiet word to a formal complaint to HR.

If what you suggest isn’t acted upon, at least if you feel you have been listened to and your opinion valued, you will feel happier.

And if, having made suggestions or raised concerns or problems, you feel ignored or remain unhappy, it’s time to move on and find a job where you will be happier.

Equally, there are people in jobs they are not suited to but it ‘pays a wage’. They are unlikely to ever be happy in their work, but nor should they expect their employer to bend over backwards and make unreasonable allowances and changes. As long as they accept that work isn’t going to be the highlight of their day, they will be happier.

The biggest factor in being happy at work is the work-life balance. Most people accept that they aren’t going to love every minute of every day at work, but the problem arises when work encroaches into their personal time.

Being asked to work longer hours, or work weekends or days off, can disrupt family and social plans and the ill feeling it causes among workers can simmer for a long time.

Staff are compensated for instances like this, with overtime payments or extra time off. But it is often the inconvenience and disruption caused at that particular time that is the issue. Even if someone enjoys their work, if they have been particularly busy or feeling the pressure, disrupting something they had planned and were looking forward to – a drink with friends or a trip to the shops – can cause lasting resentment and anger if they are forced to work.

Even if they make it to their engagement, they may not get the release they were looking for if they are late or feel they have had to rush.

It is a cliché but we work to live, not live to work.

When I set up my company two years ago, I made the decision to work set hours, leaving the evenings and weekends free – and it has changed my outlook on everything.

I no longer spend Sundays – when not working one in three – counting down the minutes and seconds until Monday morning and the start of that week’s rat race, and missing out on a fantastic roast dinner at my in-laws. 

The biggest weight lifted has been knowing that whatever the pressures of work and however busy it gets, I know I can separate work from my time. And never the twain shall meet.

I love what I do but, like everything, there are ups and downs. The biggest release for me is knowing I can go to a concert or football match, or arrange to go away for the weekend without having to cancel at the last minute because of work. 

Working from an average eight-hour day, I currently work six weeks a month, Monday to Friday. But I am happy. There are still pressures of deadlines and bills to pay and I have to be incredibly organised and efficient, but it is me and my family that reap the rewards.

And, most importantly, evenings and weekends are still ours. So, without thinking, I can agree to going to a show, concert, or game three months on Tuesday without thinking about it. And I can look forward to lovely Sunday roast again.

And that makes me happy at work.

#internationalweekofhappinessatwork #hr #businessowners #entrepreneurs #wellbeing #worklifebalance