Management Professor in the Guardian

Professor Wood, who works in our School of Management, authored a recent article in the Guardian Work Section with Professor Cary Cooper of the Lancaster University Management School. It follows the recent study by Professor Wood on the importance of job design for employee well-being.

In the article, they argue that a national measure of happiness will indirectly help improve well-being at work. Stressing that we increasingly have a better understanding of what makes for unhappiness and stress in the workplace, Cooper and Wood highlight the importance of people having control over their jobs, being involved in decision-making and being managed well and treated fairly.

Creating happier working environments has little to do with money or bonuses; but involves giving people more control and voice and ensuring managers have better social and interpersonal skills and manage by praise and reward, not fault-finding. All too often, though, the only time people feel their contribution is recognised is when they get a pay rise.