The Value Of Happiness? $500 Billion Us Dollars!

Last year it was estimated that 87% of American`s were unhappy in their work and as a result this accounted for $500 billion which was lost in productivity! Highly successful Silicon Valley companies, know this to be true. The likes of Google and other Forbes 100 companies have taken note of the research, pumped money into making their employees happy in their work and they are reaping the financial rewards by the second!

"Happiness and joy in the workplace is part of the culture in Forbes 100 companies'The following statistics show it has been proven that happiness amongst employees results in the following:

Reduces Stress by 23%. A UK Government Think Tank has recently concluded that Stress and other mental health issues are the largest cause of disability and inability to work in the UK.Increases over all Health by 29%.Which of course means less sick days which is great news for any business.Increases Productivity by 31%. Again great news for overall revenue.Increases Creativity X3 Without which a business will not develop and move forward.Think about it if your employer considers your well being, allows for a good work life balance and makes you feel valued you do work better for them, and you enjoy doing so. Happiness is like a "Social Medicine"!

I believe the same applies to our children when they are in the classroom and that is why I place my students happiness at the top of my priority list, especially when planning lessons! If children are happy, they learn better, are more creative, are more inquisitive, can learn independently and are willing to take risks to improve even further! I just love seeing their faces when they achieve their goals and know that it was THEIR efforts which got them there. My only role was just to make sure they felt safe, valued and happy, the rest they do themselves :)

The concept that a happy work force is a more productive one is not revolutionary. It was however revolutionary during Britain`s Industrial Revolution when it was first embraced on a large scale by a handful of businessmen men who may also have been considered philanthropists. I`m from the North West of England and grew up near the "model village" of Port Sunlight. It was built by an Industrialist who wanted to provide his workers with good housing, gardens, parks, schools and even a museum containing famous works of art! He believed that showing how he valued his workforce could only be a of benefit to the business. The village is still stunning to this day, looking very much like a "Postcard" version England. The gentleman who build it? William Lever. Heard of him? Well I`m sure you`ve heard of Lever Brothers or Unilever? If not you go and have a look at the back of some of the products under your sink, in your bathroom or in the laundry. His company is a success to this day so maybe he was on to something?

This resurgence of the "value of happiness" is a welcome one. This time though it has the science behind it, combined that with the profits and innovation it produces for companies and the success and creativity it produces in our children.