International Day of Happiness: Why the Right Workspace Matters and Why Ethical Property Has Led the Way from the Start
Happiness Begins with the Space You Work In
Every year on 20 March, the International Day of Happiness highlights a universal truth: wellbeing is fundamental to how we live, work, and contribute. And with so many of us spending a third of our lives in the workplace, choosing the right workspace isn’t just a practical decision, it’s a wellbeing decision.
If you're an organisation searching for workspace, flexible office space, or an impact‑driven workspace provider, this day is a reminder that the environment you choose has the power to shape how your team feels, performs, and connects.
At Ethical Property, we’ve known this from the beginning. As a landlord with an impact‑driven mission, we focus on people, community, and the planet, not profit maximisation. Our buildings support organisations doing important work, but they also support the people delivering that work every day.
Why Workplace Happiness Matters, Especially When Choosing Workspace
Workplace happiness is now a global priority. Research shows:
- Happy employees are 13% more productive, according to an Oxford University study. [cbre.com]
- Globally, 70–74% of employees report being happy at work, with workplace flexibility and autonomy significantly boosting wellbeing. [cbre.com], [tandfonline.com]
- Flexibility has a measurable wellbeing benefit — hybrid work arrangements offer the equivalent of an 8% salary increase in terms of happiness. [tandfonline.com]
- Strong leadership, belonging, autonomy, and connection dramatically increase happiness and motivation at work. [cbre.com]
For any organisation looking for new workspace, these statistics underline the importance of finding an office that not only fits your team, but supports their wellbeing, culture, and happiness.
Your Workspace Environment Shapes Your Happiness
Research from the International Labour Organization highlights that wellbeing at work is a combination of material conditions and how people feel in their workspace, meaning subjective happiness is as vital as practical tools. [davincimee...grooms.com]
A major systematic review also shows that happiness at work is influenced by relationships, meaning, accomplishment, and emotional experience — all elements shaped by the space you occupy. [millerknoll.com]
This means the quality of your workspace directly affects:
- morale
- productivity
- staff retention
- sense of belonging
- overall wellbeing
If you’re searching for workspace that prioritises wellbeing, you’re not just looking for square footage, you’re looking for a home where your team can thrive.
Many workspace providers focus on density, profit, and turnover.
Ethical Property focuses on impact, people, and community.
From the start, we have:
- Provided ethical, affordable office space designed to support social change
- Prioritised workplace wellbeing in our buildings
- Created flexible workspace options that reflect how teams actually work
- Built welcoming, inclusive environments where collaboration comes naturally
- Embedded sustainability and ethics into every decision
We don’t just provide workspaces; we nurture communities of organisations committed to positive impact.
For organisations actively searching for purpose‑aligned offices, we offer something rare:
A workspace provider whose values match yours.
As workplace research continues to evolve, one message is clear:
People work better when they feel good where they work.
Key findings include:
- Employee happiness correlates with stronger productivity, performance, and engagement. [cbre.com]
- Workplace flexibility, choice, and autonomy are some of the strongest drivers of workplace happiness globally. [tandfonline.com]
- Belonging and social connection increase happiness regardless of work model (office, hybrid, remote). [tandfonline.com]
Because when you have the right workspace, the results follow: happier teams, greater impact, stronger retention, and more meaningful work.
…we’d love to welcome you into our community of impact‑driven tenants, come and take a look for yourself.
References
- World Happiness Foundation – Happiness at Work in 2025 (2025). [cbre.com]
- Work.Life – World Happiness Report 2025: Key Workplace Insights (2025). [tandfonline.com]
- ILOSTAT – Happiness: A Key Metric to Understanding Decent Work (2025). [davincimee...grooms.com]
- Emerald Insight – Promoting Well-being Through Happiness at Work (2024). [millerknoll.com]