Understanding and improving work wellbeing

Indeed is committed to guiding the world towards better work for all. Our work wellbeing initiative encompasses proprietary data, a product feature, global research, partnerships, and academic rigor. Indeed collects and displays wellbeing insights to help people find better work, and to inspire companies to foster environments where people can thrive. This data is useful for job seekers as they evaluate which companies to work for.

It is also useful for organizations, giving clarity on how they compare to other companies across a variety of wellbeing dimensions, and a deeper understanding of their workforce.

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Why wellbeing?

Research shows that after pay, stress, lack of satisfaction and lack of happiness are the leading causes of turnover. While historically fair pay and flexibility were the key drivers people considered when thinking about work, job seeker expectations are changing. In fact, in a 2023 survey, 47% of people report their work wellbeing expectations are higher than they were just one year ago.Work Wellbeing Report, based on a commissioned survey (n=4,002 US adults), conducted by Forrester Consulting, 2023.

Investing in employee wellbeing is an all-win scenario, and a direct and measurable way companies can have a positive impact. Work satisfaction is a huge driver for life satisfaction, with 86% of people reporting how they feel at work impacts how they feel at home.Indeed Global Work Wellbeing Report 2024, analyzed by the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre with Dr. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve and Dr. George Ward.

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“ The future of work conversation cannot happen without centering employee wellbeing.

LaFawn Davis, Chief People & Sustainability Officer Indeed

The current state of wellbeing at work

Fueled by the world’s largest survey of work wellbeing, with more than 25M survey completions to date, the Indeed Work Wellbeing Score is currently visible on Indeed.com for 115K+ companies in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, giving millions of job seekers greater insight into the employee experience at companies they are considering during their job search. We are continually collecting wellbeing data in these and 16 additional markets around the world. According to our data:

  • Only 22% of survey respondents are thriving at work globally 2024 Indeed.com Data, based on the number of survey responses globally.
  • Greater employee wellbeing is tied to higher company valuation, return on assets, greater profits, and is predictive of future performance. From De Neve, J-E., Kaats, M., and Ward, G. (2023) Employee Wellbeing and Firm Performance. University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre Working Paper 2304.
  • Belonging, inclusion, and energy are the leading drivers of work wellbeing globally. Indeed Global Work Wellbeing Report 2024, analyzed by the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre with Dr. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve and Dr. George Ward.

Defining work wellbeing

In partnership with leading wellbeing experts Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, Professor of Psychology at University of California, Riverside, and Dr. Jan-Emmanuel de Neve, Director of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, we have identified the key indicators of wellbeing at work.

We think of these four wellbeing metrics as key performance indicators and display them as the Indeed Work Wellbeing Score, a composite metric on Indeed Company Pages. We also measure and display dimensions that influence these indicators: belonging, appreciation, trust, fair pay, flexibility, inclusion, support, encouragement, energy, manager support, achievement, and learning. These drivers explain why people feel the way they feel and shape happiness, stress, satisfaction, and purpose.

Happiness: I feel happy at work, most of the time

Purpose: My work has a clear sense of purpose

Stress: I feel stressed at work, most of the time

Satisfaction: I feel completely satisfied with my work

An Asian woman with Downs Syndrome is a florist and loves her work

To amplify our impact, Indeed joined the World Wellbeing Movement as a founding member

—aiming to put wellbeing metrics at the heart of business and public policy decision-making. Together, we will release evidence-based interventions that companies and individuals can consider to increase work wellbeing.

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