Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters, Key Findings and Practical Actions for Organisations

The book, Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: The Science Behind Team member Happiness and Organisational Performance, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve and George Ward present a compelling case for putting team member wellbeing at the heart of organisational strategy.

Based on a robust body of interdisciplinary research, this book provides not only a rich theoretical foundation but also practical guidance for business leaders, HR professionals, and policymakers.

The Central Argument: Wellbeing is a Driver, Not a Perk

At the core of the book is the argument that team member wellbeing is not merely a nice-to-have benefit but a powerful driver of business performance. As De Neve and Ward explain,

"The wellbeing of team members is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, determinants of organisational success."

The authors make it clear: happier team members are more productive, more innovative, and more likely to stay with their organisations. These claims are backed by large-scale data drawn from global surveys, field experiments, and corporate case studies.

Key Research Findings

Wellbeing Correlates Strongly with Business Performance

Companies that invest in team member wellbeing tend to outperform those that do not. This includes better stock market returns, lower absenteeism, and higher customer satisfaction. The authors assert.

"Improving wellbeing can boost productivity, aid in talent retention and recruitment, and ultimately improve financial performance,"

It's Not Just About Perks – It's About Work Design

The book critiques superficial wellness interventions (e.g., free yoga or mindfulness apps) that fail to address the root causes of stress and dissatisfaction. They write.

"It is often not the worker who needs to change, but rather the workplace and the work itself,"

Key workplace factors that influence wellbeing include:

• A sense of purpose and achievement
• Autonomy and flexibility
• Fair and transparent pay
• Strong social connections and trust
• Psychological safety and inclusion
• Subjective Wellbeing Predicts Objective Outcomes

The authors present robust evidence that how people feel about their work and lives predicts important outcomes more so than some traditional metrics. They argue for integrating subjective wellbeing data into performance dashboards and management decisions.

Recommended Actions for Organisations

Based on their findings, De Neve and Ward recommend a shift from wellness programmes to wellbeing strategies, grounded in the design of meaningful, fair, and empowering work.

Here are some of their core recommendations:

Redesign Work for Autonomy and Purpose

Jobs should provide a sense of control and contribution. Allow team members to shape their roles and align them with personal and organisational purpose.

Prioritise Mental Health and Psychological Safety

Move beyond crisis response to proactive, structural support for mental wellbeing. Promote openness, reduce stigma, and provide access to resources.

Measure What Matters

Use validated wellbeing metrics (such as life satisfaction and affect balance) in team member surveys. This allows leaders to track how people feel, not just how they perform.

Empower Managers as Wellbeing Champions

Line managers play a key role. Train them to have regular wellbeing conversations, model positive behaviours, and remove sources of unnecessary stress.

Align Incentives and Culture

Move away from toxic competition, overwork, and presenteeism. Foster a culture that values sustainable performance and team success.

Quotes Worth Highlighting

"Wellbeing at work is not only a moral imperative—it is an economic one."
Jan-Emmanuel De Neve & George Ward

"The science is clear: happy workers are good for business."
Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters

"We must move from wellness-as-an-add-on to wellbeing-by-design."
George Ward

To wrap this up

This book makes a powerful, evidence-based case for reimagining the workplace through the lens of wellbeing. By moving beyond perks to structural changes in how work is designed and experienced, organisations can unlock greater performance, resilience, and human flourishing.

In a workplace of increasing burnout and disengagement, Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters is essential reading for any leader who wants to build a high-performing, future-fit organisation.

Full References

De Neve, J.-E., & Ward, G. (2024). Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: The Science Behind Team member Happiness and Organisational Performance. Cambridge University Press.

Financial Times. (2024, March 14). Why workplace wellbeing matters. https://www.ft.com/content/770661e5-59c6-4538-95a4-c69e1843052d

Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre. (2024). Workplace Wellbeing Resources. https://wellbeing.hmc.ox.ac.uk/workplace

YouTube – Oxford University Press. (2024). Jan-Emmanuel De Neve and George Ward on Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYqj5nqH-8A