Well-being is part of the constitution of the WHO: "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity“

Work and well-being are extremely connected: the quality of working conditions has a direct impact on the quality of life of each individual.

Risks to mental health and well-being can come from a number of sources and include sources related to the workplace

Excessive workloads Control Conflicting demands and lack of clarity about roles Inadequate management of organisational change, job insecurity Ineffective communication, lack of support from colleagues or superiors Violence and bullying

Bad working conditions lead to:

• Health problems for the worker
• Loss of productivity for the employer
• 4-5 % drop in GDP of a country

An answer can be found in „Maslow's hierarchy of needs“

The pyramid shows human needs. Each level needs to be completly fulfilled, to pursuit needs of a higher level.

• All levels, except of the self-actualisation level, are „dissatisfiers“:  Only lacking of it is felt, fulfillment does not satisfy
• Self-actualisation is the only satisfier, making feel „fulfilled“, increasing happiness, well-being

Another approach: Self-determination theory: Motivation and well-being

• intrinsic instead extrinsic motivation

• Promoting autonomy, a sense of competence, responsibility and membership instead material incentives.

  Research was done in 2014 via digital, anonymous online poll of a sample of 3350 employees working in Switzerland in various occupational groups and industries.

As Key factors with impact on well-being it was asked for:

• Meaningfulness
• Workload
• Commitment to work
• Social resources
• Manageability