What Makes Workers Happy

Scenario: "Dude, it's all about how you pay them!" If you wanted to make Sally B. happy, would you:

• a) promote her
• b) give her more money

You're right if you answer (a). Econ Professor Andrew Oswald surveyed 16,266 workers from around 800 workplaces, finding: Salary minimally influences job happiness.

Yet, when Oswald looked at an employee's worker's position in a company, he found a strong link with job satisfaction. Rank influenced how proud they were with their professional achievements. Rank also increased happiness 50 to 60 percent when compared with bigger paychecks.

To make your stars happy, your best bet is to promote them.

"You've been promoted, badass."

If you enjoyed What Makes Workers Happy, get a complimentary subscription to our freshest articles through email or through your feed reader.