Why Workplace Happiness Is a Competitive Advantage Mark Price, founder of WorkL, on why more Indian Companies are Investing in Employee Engagement
Mark Price — former MD of Waitrose, Deputy Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, and founder of WorkL — believes investing in happiness drives long-term business performance. 'Happy employees deliver better results and are more likely to stay,' he says. 'They uplift innovation, service, and growth.'
Through initiatives like The Hindu Best Places to Work Awards, WorkL is now helping Indian organisations measure and improve engagement to unlock both people and profit potential.
The Data Behind Happy Workplaces
Employees who feel valued put in more — what WorkL calls Extra Discretionary Effort™. This leads to stronger business outcomes: improved performance, customer satisfaction, and brand reputation.
Happier employees also reduce attrition costs. 'It's not just about being nice,' says Price. 'It's smart business.'
The Six Steps to Workplace Happiness
WorkL's framework, based on Price's leadership experience, includes:
Reward & Recognition Instilling Pride Job Satisfaction Wellbeing Information Sharing Empowerment
'These elements are critical in high-pressure, hybrid workplaces,' says Price. 'They keep people motivated and committed.'
Turning Insights Into Strategy
WorkL supports organisations with tools like the Happy at Work Test, employee surveys, and predictive analytics to flag issues like attrition risk.
With data from 1M+ individuals and 100K+ companies, WorkL offers tailored, actionable insights. Price calls this approach Happy Economics: where employee happiness leads to stronger business outcomes.
A Global Platform, Now in India
From the UK to Egypt, WorkL powers Best Places to Work awards globally — now including India via The Hindu Best Places to Work Awards.
'These awards offer more than recognition,' says Price. 'They're a data-driven feedback loop that helps firms build better employer brands and attract talent.'
Why India Should Prioritise Culture Now
In India, top drivers of employee satisfaction include job security, fair pay, career growth, and increasingly, wellbeing and upskilling. Sectors like Tech, BFSI, Manufacturing, and Education are leading the charge.
The Hindu Best Places to Work 2025 — Now Open
Indian companies can now enter The Hindu Best Places to Work 2025, powered by WorkL, to access a full engagement report, benchmarking data, and national recognition.
Deadline: February 28, 2026
Enter here
Email : thehindubestplacestowork@workl.com
You can also join the free webinar to know more about how to get recognized – Click here
'This article is part of sponsored content programme.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
a few seconds ago
- Mint
Indian stock market: 5 key factors that could drive the Sensex to the 1,00,000 mark by next Independence Day
Can the Sensex hit the 1,00,000 mark by the next Independence Day? Given the prevailing headwinds — including Trump's tariffs, foreign capital outflows, and weak earnings — it makes little sense to expect lofty returns from the Indian stock market in the medium term. The Sensex has gained just 1.4 per cent since the last Independence Day, on geopolitical tensions, foreign capital outflow and weak earnings. On August 12, the Sensex settled at 80,235.59. To reach the 1 lakh mark by the next Independence Day, the index would need to rise about 25 per cent over the next year. This could be a daunting task for the bulls, but, as they say, the market has a habit of throwing surprises. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley believes the Sensex can hit the magical 1 lakh-mark by June 2026 in a bull case. The global financial firm sees a 30 per cent probability of the Sensex hitting the 1 lakh mark by June 2026 on lower crude oil prices, prospects of an end to the global trade war, and government reforms. "Oil prices are persistently below $65, resulting in better terms of trade and prompting more rate cuts from the RBI. The global trade war is curtailed by complete reversals in positions on tariffs, leading to improved growth prospects. Government reforms surprise to the upside with a slew of GST rate cuts and some progress on farm laws. Earnings growth compounds at 19 per cent annually over F2025-28," Morgan Stanley observed in a note on August 4. Let's examine five key factors that, according to experts, could drive the index to the coveted 1,00,000 mark by the next Independence Day. The biggest challenge keeping the domestic market under pressure over the last year is India Inc.'s unimpressive earnings. Major sectors like IT and banks posted lacklustre results, failing to sustain the market's stretched valuations. Experts say a solid earnings growth in the second half of the financial year will be crucial for the bulls to regain control and propel the benchmarks to record highs. The Trump tariff saga has highlighted the urgent need for bold government reforms that can revive investors' interest in the "India growth story". A strong focus on infrastructure and manufacturing projects, measures to boost domestic demand, free trade agreements (FTAs) with major trading partners, and perhaps a tweak in the LTCG tax may charge up the bulls. Even though domestic factors dominate the Indian economy, the country cannot remain immune to geopolitical developments. The end of the Russia-Ukraine war, a stable situation in the Middle East and a favourable tariff regime will augur well for the Indian economy and the stock market. Over the last few years, especially in the post-pandemic world, retail investors' clout has grown in the Indian stock market. Nevertheless, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remain a formidable force in the domestic market. FPIs have been on a selling spree of Indian stocks since July, which has kept the market down. The return of FPIs to the Indian market, along with continuous strong inflow of domestic retail investors, will boost the market to unprecedented levels. The Reserve Bank of India expects India's growth-inflation dynamics to remain favourable in FY26 despite persisting uncertainty over the Trump tariffs and global factors. After the August policy meeting, the RBI maintained India's real GDP growth for FY26 at 6.5 per cent. Besides, the central bank cut the FY26 CPI inflation forecast to 3.1 per cent from 3.7 per cent earlier. A favourable macroeconomic backdrop will augur well for corporate profitability, attract foreign capital inflow, and keep market sentiment positive. It must be noted that the market would need a confluence of these factors to clock a robust gain of about 25 per cent in one year. A lot will depend on how Trump's tariff episode pans out, what measures the government takes to infuse fresh momentum in the economy and the movement of the US dollar and bond yields. Read all market-related news here Read more stories by Nishant Kumar Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations expressed are those of individual analysts or broking firms, not Mint. We advise investors to consult with certified experts before making any investment decisions, as market conditions can change rapidly and circumstances may vary.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
a few seconds ago
- Business Standard
US to end 'Dropbox' visa renewals from Sept 2: Students, workers to be hit
The United States will soon shut down its Interview Waiver Programme—better known as the 'Dropbox' facility—for most non-immigrant visas, including work and student categories. The change takes effect from September 2, 2025, and will force the majority of applicants to attend in-person interviews, even if they have a clean visa history. For years, Dropbox allowed eligible travellers to skip the face-to-face interview and submit documents at a designated location instead. It was a faster, less stressful option, particularly for Indian professionals and students. But as part of US President Donald Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', signed on July 4, the policy is being rolled back in the name of 'enhancing security' and tightening screening. Immigration attorney Emily Neumann warned, 'If you're planning international travel or visa renewal this autumn, don't assume you're eligible for interview waiver (Dropbox) processing anymore. The State Department is ending waiver eligibility for most visa categories, including H-1B, L-1, F-1, and J-1.' What is changing under the new policy • Most interview waivers for visa renewals, including H-1B, H-4, L1, F, M, O1 and J, will end. • Children under 14 and seniors over 79 will no longer qualify. • Only certain diplomatic or official visas—A, G, NATO and TECRO—remain eligible. • A narrow set of B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa renewals can still avoid interviews, but only under strict criteria. • Even if you qualify, a consular officer can still require an interview. Why the change hits India hard India is among the top users of the Dropbox service. US consulates in India already face some of the world's longest visa wait times, and removing this facility is expected to: • Spike demand for interview slots • Push wait times into several months • Disrupt project schedules for companies employing H-1B staff • Delay academic plans for students Some applicants have already seen Dropbox slots for August and September cancelled, with instructions to book in-person interviews instead. What applicants should do if appointments are cancelled • Check your email for a cancellation notice from your US consular post. • Log in to your visa profile to confirm and rebook. • Restart the application to respond to updated eligibility questions. • Note that cancellations do not count towards your maximum number of reschedules. Practical impact for travellers and employers 'The impact of these changes will be immediate and far-reaching,' said immigration lawyer Reddy. 'Consular posts will see increased demand for appointments, especially in high-volume categories such as student and work visas. Wait times, backlogs and delays are expected through the autumn and holiday seasons.' Reddy added, 'Anyone in the United States on valid status but with an expired visa—or whose most recent visa was in a different category—should be cautious about travelling. These individuals will now need an in-person interview before re-entering the US, and given the risk of delays or denials, non-essential travel should be avoided.' Steps to prepare for the change • Begin the DS-160 application early and pay the MRV fee promptly. • Gather all supporting documents in advance. • Monitor the website of your local US embassy or consulate for updates. • Allow extra time for both interview booking and visa processing. • Employers should adjust onboarding or travel plans for staff accordingly. Who can still use the interview waiver A narrow set of applicants will retain interview waiver eligibility: • Diplomatic and official visas: A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants/servants), G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, and TECRO E-1. • Certain B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa or Border Crossing Card renewals—only if the previous visa was full-validity, expired within the last 12 months, was issued when the applicant was over 18, and is being renewed in the same category in the country of nationality or residence, with no prior refusals or ineligibility. Even then, consular officers may require an interview at their discretion.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
a few seconds ago
- Business Standard
India-China thaw takes shape as PM Modi embraces Brics over Trump
India and China are restoring economic links strained by a deadly 2020 border clash, the latest sign Prime Minister Narendra Modi is drawing closer to Brics after US President Donald Trump hit the South Asian nation with a 50 per cent tariff. Modi's latest move is to resume direct flights with China as soon as next month, said people familiar with the negotiations who asked for anonymity to discuss private matters. The effort gained momentum in recent weeks, and airlines have been briefed on the proposal, they said. Flights were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, which coincided with a sharp decline in relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours after border clashes in the Himalayas killed 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops. The blow from India's largest trading partner hit hard, especially after Modi had lavished praise on Trump and was among the first foreign leaders to visit after his return to the White House. Henry Wang, president of the Center for China and Globalisation think tank in Beijing, said relations between India and China are in an 'up cycle,' and as leaders of the Global South, 'they have to really speak to each other.' 'Trump's tariff war on India has made India realise that they have to maintain some kind of strategic autonomy and strategic independence,' he said. China, also a prime target in Trump's trade wars, has also shown signs it's ready for a thaw. This month, it eased curbs on urea shipments to India — the world's largest importer of the fertiliser. Although initial volumes are small, the trade could expand, easing global shortages and prices. China relaxed the ban in June but had maintained restrictions on India until now. The Adani Group is exploring a tieup with Chinese EV giant BYD Co. that would allow billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate to manufacture batteries in India and extend its push into clean energy, according to people familiar with the matter. India recently allowed tourist visas for Chinese nationals after years of curbs, and Modi may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Tianjin starting on Aug. 31. China is India's second-largest trade partner after the US, and India needs key inputs from China to develop its manufacturing base. While there may be a thaw, the two Asian powers are not likely to restore full trust overnight. They have seen each other as rivals for years and friction increased a few months ago when China supplied weapons and intelligence to Pakistan in its recent military dispute with India. Part of Trump's recent anger toward New Delhi comes from India denying the his claims that his mediation helped defuse tensions with Pakistan. Modi also challenged those assertions directly in a call with Trump in June. India saw a shift in tone from the White House after that, according to the officials in New Delhi. Modi is also strengthening ties with Brazil and Russia, fellow Brics founding members. In August, he invited President Vladimir Putin to visit India as relations with the US soured. Trump is frustrated with India's continued imports of discounted Russian oil, which help fund the Kremlin's war in Ukraine. Modi has shown no signs of backing down, and his government signed agreements with Moscow this month to deepen economic cooperation. Modi has also talked trade and the imposition of unilateral tariffs against their nations with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolstering commercial ties between Brazil and India was a key topic of Modi's visit to Brasilia in July. During the call in early August, Lula and Modi also agreed to expand India's trade deal with Mercosur, the South American customs union that includes Brazil. The US has long courted India as a counterbalance to China in geopolitics but with Trump's trade wars, Beijing and New Delhi are finding common ground. Xu Feihong, China's ambassador to India, has Modi offered moral support over the tariffs. 'Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile,' Xu last week wrote on X over a quote from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi denouncing the use of tariffs 'as a weapon to suppress other countries.'
