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The Global Workplace Joy Index 2026

Global insights from 26,000+ employees and HR leaders revealing how workplace joy fuels business performance.

Our new research uncovers what joy looks like around the world, the measurable outcomes it drives, and how to make it a reality.

Get the full report
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26,000+

workers and HR leaders

27

countries

63/100

global Joy Index score

Is workplace joy a soft metric, or a driver of business performance?

The answer is clear: joy pays.

The Global Workplace Joy Index turns workers’ everyday experiences into a single score from 0 to 100, based on ten measures including energy, pride, purpose, connection, appreciation, burnout, engagement and advocacy.

Our research with 26,000+ employees and HR leaders across 27 countries shows a global Joy Index score of 63, with Australia recording a below average score of 60. 

The report also reveals a clear perception gap: HR leaders rate workplace joy more positively than workers do themselves. The good news? The levers that drive joy – recognition, benefits, connection, and purpose – are within reach for every organisation.

Why the research matters:

Workplace joy is closely linked to stronger retention, higher productivity, greater engagement, and advocacy. It’s also driven by things every organisation can shape, from more targeted benefits and more frequent recognition from managers to a stronger sense of belonging and trust in leadership.

Fill in the form now to access the full research report, including a dedicated section on our exclusive Australian findings. 

Get the full report

What's inside the research report?

Access the full report for global benchmarks, Australian insights, and practical findings for improving workplace joy, retention, and productivity.

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The Global Workplace Joy Index

Compare workplace joy across 27 countries and discover how employee experience varies around the world.

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A closer look at workplace joy in Australia

Explore our Australian findings in detail, including our joy score, leadership perception gap, and the everyday factors shaping employee experience.

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The global workplace joy gap

Discover where HR leaders and workers see things differently, from everyday joy to engagement and feedback.

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Understanding the gap

Learn why stretched, future-focused HR teams can miss how people feel today, leading to significant perception gaps. 

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Joy belongs on the bottom line

Discover why joy is a strategic performance driver, not a cost centre, with strong links between joy and retention, productivity, and engagement. 

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The building blocks of joy

Explore how benefits, recognition, and belonging work together to create more joyful, connected, and productive workplaces.

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Looking ahead

Explore the forces shaping the future of workplace joy, from AI and evolving employee expectations to the changing role of HR.

“Joy at work is measurable, it varies enormously by market, and it is closely and consistently linked to three things every business leader cares about: retention, productivity, and advocacy.”

- Jacques Adoue, EVP of HR, Edenred
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