The International Week of Happiness at Work 2025 has officially begun.
What started as a small DIY idea in 2018 has grown into a worldwide movement. Today, it’s recognized in over 50 countries by hundreds of organizations - all exploring one simple truth: work should make us feel alive, not drained.
It began with a question:
Why is there a week for something no one wants - stress - but not for something everyone deserves: happiness at work?
So they made one.
A manifesto. A website. A toolkit.
And a belief: happiness at work is everyone’s business.
That belief is now alive and thriving - from Belgium to Bristol, Poland, UK, Hungary, USA, Iceland, and beyond.
And the future is set:
September 21st – 25th, 2026
🇧🇪 Belgium – The Heart of the Movement
Tryangle leads an action-packed week of workshops, activations, and experiments - from happiness breakfasts to culture labs.
Belgium continues to prove that small acts of curiosity can create big ripples of change.
🇬🇧 Bristol – Step Up for Wellbeing
The Step Up Bristol Challenge, run by Race At Your Pace, invites local companies to walk, move, and connect - a free city-wide challenge uniting physical and mental wellbeing.
Perfect timing, too: it bridges IWoHaW with World Mental Health Day, reminding us that happiness and mental health are two sides of the same coin.
🇵🇱 Poland – Happy in Diversity
Led by Anna Hildebrandt-Mrozek, PhD, the 6th National Week of Happiness at School (Sept 29yh – Oct 5th) celebrates “Happy in Diversity.”
It expands the happiness conversation beyond workplaces — into schools, communities, and families.
Full program: happinessatschool.pl
🇮🇸 Iceland – From Chaos to Clarity
Two morning sessions led by Hedinn (Héðinn) Sveinbjörnsson, Iceland’s Chief Happiness Officer, focus on rethinking performance through the lens of purpose and clarity:
Wednesday October 8th, 9:30 AM GMT
“Getting Unstuck: Why ‘Just OK’ at Work Is More Dangerous Than You Think”
with Nic Marks (Friday Pulse) - exploring why quiet disengagement is the silent killer of progress.
Thursday, October 9th, 9:30 AM GMT
“Leading Beyond Chaos: The Art of Seeing When Everyone Else Is Dazzled by Noise”
with Dr. Oleg Konovalov - on how clarity, not control, defines modern leadership.
Two conversations, one goal: turning insight into action.
World Mental Health Day - October 10th
This year’s global theme, “Access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies,” highlights the need for care when it matters most.
Whether it’s war, disaster, or workplace overload, mental health remains the foundation of resilience.
A company that values happiness must also protect wellbeing - especially when things get hard.
More from WHO and UN.
The Ripple Effect
Every small action this week - a smile, a pause, a thank-you, a moment of listening - starts a ripple.
Someone feels seen. A team feels lighter. A workplace shifts.
The real magic of IWoHaW isn’t in big events; it’s in the quiet moments that spread without permission.
That’s how culture changes - one small, deliberate act at a time.
What’s Moving Globally
A Global Happiness Charter is calling for happiness at work to be recognized as a right, not a luxury.
New data from the World Happiness Foundation shows engagement and meaning as top drivers of performance - not perks.
Certified “Happiest Workplaces” are emerging across industries, proving that happiness is measurable, scalable, and yes, profitable.
The movement isn’t slowing down. It’s evolving - from feel-good to fundamentally human.
Closing Words
So — how will you celebrate?
This week isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence.
Let happiness at work be your infrastructure - not your afterthought.
CTA´s
Join the movement – explore the toolkit, manifesto, and global map of activities.
Attend a conversation – join live from Iceland with Nic Marks (Wed) and Dr. Oleg Konovalov (Thu) at 9:30 AM GMT. (LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube)
Host your own micro-event – start small: a gratitude circle, a team pause, a good-work conversation.
Share your ripple – show how your team is celebrating using #IWoHaW2025.
Hedinn (Héðinn) Sveinbjörnsson
Iceland´s Chief Happiness Officer
International Week of Happiness at Work
Official Website: internationalweekofhappinessatwork.com
Dates: October 6th – 10th, 2025 (this year) and September 21st – 25th, 2026 (next year)
P.S. Don’t miss the Iceland conversations this Wednesday and Thursday at 9:30 AM GMT - two mornings that might just shift how you think about work.
P.P.S. Huge thanks to our partners - including AM Healthcare Group, and others - for helping the movement grow.
P.P.P.S. Keep sharing your stories and photos with #IWoHaW2025 - let’s make the ripple visible.
P.P.P.P.S. The smallest wave can change the tide - start yours at work.