Another year, another award as one of the happiest companies in Portugal. Exago has once again been recognised in the Top 20 Happiness Works ranking, which assesses the levels of overall happiness and wellbeing of employees in companies operating nationwide.
Among the 219 companies that took part – a total of 5,100 respondents –, Exago ranked 14th in the list that drew the most interest since its launch in 2012. This is our third distinction, thanks to a philosophy founded on a positive work/life balance.
Our employees benefit from flexible hours and summer schedules, performance-related bonuses, extra holidays for positive attendance, anniversary awards, breakfast and fruit every morning, teambuilding events, health protocols, education and childcare support, and charity and sustainability initiatives, among other incentives.
Leading the way as the happiest sectors to work in was Communication and Information, with an average happiness rate of 4.0 (on a scale of 1-5), followed by Industry (3.9) and Construction and Real Estate (3.9). According to the study, the least happy employees were those working for the State and in Health and Social Work (both 3.4).
Happiness in numbers
The Happiness Works study drew on the data accumulated over the years to compare happy and unhappy employees. Happy workers are 64.8% less likely to be absent than their less happy peers, and 43.2% less likely to want to leave. They also showed higher levels of productivity perception and openness to change.
But what does it take to make sure employees are happy? Rafael Vara of Lukkap, one of the partners of the study, says that it is more than just providing perks. “It’s about creating a culture of happiness and changing the employee experience”, by ensuring speedy responses, individualisation, being an active part of the company and understanding its purpose.
This year, the findings also ran parallel with a study on Positive Mental Health (PMH), run by partner Atlântica University, which found that PMH does indeed improve productivity. The results were presented in Lisbon on May 27th and published in the June edition of the leading business magazine Exame.
Launched in 2012, the Happiness Works survey is promoted by Lukkap Portugal, Atlântica University and Exame.