Employers across banking, technology, hospitality, manufacturing and the public sector have been named among the world’s happiest workplaces, as new global rankings underline the role of wellbeing, trust and employee voice in shaping positive working environments.
The 2026 World’s Happiest Workplaces list brings together organisations from more than 25 industries and multiple regions, based on feedback from over a million employees worldwide. The rankings reflect how staff experience work day to day, rather than relying solely on stated policies or benefits.
At a time when stress, disengagement and burnout remain widespread across many labour markets, the list offers a snapshot of what employees associate with positive workplace culture. High scores were linked to feeling supported, informed and recognised, alongside having confidence in leadership and clarity around expectations.
Top of the World’s Happiest Workplaces List
The highest-ranked workplaces include UK-based technology employers such as ServiceNow, Auth0, CGI UK and Atlassian, alongside global entertainment and media company Disney in the United States.
Hospitality employers also feature prominently, including Jollibee, which operates across the Philippines and Canada, and Sheraton Athlone Hotel in Ireland. Financial services employers recognised among the happiest workplaces include Standard Bank in South Africa and ING Bank in Poland, both operating in sectors often associated with high pressure and regulatory demand.
Retail and luxury brands were also represented at the top end of the rankings, including DIOR in France, while organisations in the public and infrastructure sectors appeared strongly across wider categories.
The spread of winners across regions and industries challenges the idea that happiness at work is confined to a particular type of employer or working model.
Inclusive Cultures Feature Strongly
A significant proportion of the recognised employers were also named among the Most Inclusive Workplaces, highlighting the link between inclusion and wellbeing.
Organisations across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America were represented, including banks, utilities, manufacturers, hotels, government bodies and education providers. The presence of public sector and infrastructure employers alongside consumer brands challenges assumptions that happiness at work is driven mainly by perks or flexible offices.
Inclusive workplaces tend to score more highly on trust and psychological safety, both of which are linked to lower stress and better mental health outcomes. Employees who believe decisions are fair and voices are heard are more likely to feel secure and engaged, even during periods of change.
Why Trust and Wellbeing Matter
Workplace happiness has become an increasingly important wellbeing issue as evidence continues to link employee experience with performance and retention.
Research has consistently shown that employees who feel positive about their work environment are more productive, take fewer unplanned absences and are less likely to leave their employer. Conversely, low trust and poor communication are associated with stress, anxiety and reduced concentration, all of which affect both wellbeing and output.
From a wellbeing perspective, trust acts as a buffer against pressure. When employees feel safe to speak up about workload, mental health or concerns about processes, problems can be addressed earlier and more effectively. Where trust is lacking, stress is more likely to surface through mistakes, sickness absence or quiet disengagement.
What the Findings Signal to Employers
The 2026 rankings reinforce the idea that workplace happiness is shaped by everyday management practices rather than one-off initiatives. Clear communication, realistic workloads and visible follow through from leaders consistently feature in high scoring organisations.
For employers looking to improve wellbeing, the message is less about replicating specific programmes and more about examining how work is designed and managed. Training managers to have regular, meaningful conversations, involving employees in decisions that affect their roles and recognising contribution fairly can all contribute to a healthier workplace climate.
The list also highlights the importance of listening. Anonymous employee feedback allows organisations to understand how policies land in practice and where gaps exist between intention and experience.
As organisations continue to grapple with retention challenges, rising stress levels and changing employee expectations, the world’s happiest workplaces offer a reminder that trust and wellbeing are not soft priorities. They are central to how people experience work and to how organisations perform over the long term.