There is something energising about standing on the edge of a new year. It’s like cracking open a fresh notebook full of clean pages, new ideas, and room to build something better than what came before. As we approach 2026, it’s the perfect moment for companies and teams to pause, recalibrate, and decide how they want work to feel.
Over the past year, we’ve worked closely with organisations across industries to understand what really moves the needle on employee happiness. That hands-on experience has highlighted some clear themes about what helps teams feel supported, motivated, and engaged.
So, as we look ahead, here are seven practical ways to reset for 2026 and create a healthier, happier workplace with a stronger balance and brighter energy.
1. Make leadership feel human again
People don’t need a corporate voice booming from a gilded tower; they want real talk. When leaders share what’s going on, show up consistently, and make themselves easy to approach, trust skyrockets. A transparent top team sets the tone for the entire culture and makes it easier for employees to speak up, pitch ideas, and ask for help without fear.
2. Help employees actually switch off (and check the workload reality)
Work-life balance isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a sanity saver. Build in moments where employees can fully unplug with no Slack pings haunting them after hours, no “just one quick thing” creeping into weekends. Pair that with periodic reviews of what’s on everyone’s plate, so no one is silently drowning under unrealistic workloads. The payoff? A team that’s rested and actually present when they’re at work.
3. Show people how they can grow
No one wants to feel like they’re stuck on a treadmill going nowhere. Be clear about how employees can move within the company and what roles are available, what skills matter, and what steps help them get there. When people can see a future for themselves, motivation comes naturally.
4. Create a culture where feedback leads to real action
Want people to speak honestly? Prove to them it matters. Build a steady rhythm of collecting feedback, responding to it, and showing precisely what changed because of it. Think of it as a loop: You shared, we heard you, here’s what we changed. When employees see that their voice shapes the workplace, engagement goes way up.
5. Normalise mental health support
Employee happiness thrives when emotional well-being is part of the conversation and not an afterthought whispered in HR corners. Provide easy access to mental health resources, encourage managers to check in on how people are doing (not just what they’re doing), and promote a culture where vulnerability isn’t treated as weakness.
6. Make connection part of the job, not an optional extra
Workplaces where people actually like each other? Those are gold. Prioritise team bonding and not just the “mandatory fun” stuff, but opportunities that feel organic, inclusive, and not forced. Shared moments build trust, and trust builds happier teams.
7. Celebrate progress, not just perfection
Wins matter. Big ones, tiny ones, quirky ones – celebrating them reminds people that their efforts count. Build in simple, regular recognition rituals to spotlight contributions and remind employees that they’re seen and valued.
The bottom line for 2026
This is the year to reimagine happiness at work as something intentional, structured, and woven into daily routines. Not just an occasional pizza party or a once-a-year retreat. When you invest in transparency, balance, growth, feedback, support, connection, and recognition, you build a workplace where people don’t just work – they thrive.