As the first week of 2025 unfolds, New Year resolutions—once a staple of self-improvement culture—seem to be losing their charm. While some people draw up ambitious lists of goals, others resolutely pledge not to bother. For younger generations, particularly Gen Z, resolutions feel like relics of a bygone era, misaligned with their practical outlook and prioritisation of personal happiness.
But what if the workplace could rekindle this fading tradition? More importantly, what if resolutions were reimagined not as rigid personal commitments but as a collective pursuit of well-being, spearheaded by HR teams? In an era where productivity, innovation, and mental health often intersect, HR leaders have a unique opportunity to integrate personal growth into workplace culture, benefitting employees and employers alike.
For Gen Z, happiness isn’t a vague aspiration; it’s a measurable goal deeply tied to well-being. This generation values mental health, authentic relationships, and meaningful work. The HR can play a pivotal role in guiding this pursuit of happiness—helping employees see it not as a luxury but as an achievable and essential part of their lives.
The younger generation of workers is undeniably focused on self-presentation, with gyms proliferating and beauty products flying off the shelves. Yet, despite this apparent enthusiasm, many struggle to maintain consistent routines, often prioritising comfort and immediate gratification over long-term discipline. Guided by the mantra ‘You Only Live Once’ (YOLO), they opt for choices that maximise short-term happiness. This is precisely where HR can step in, reframing the narrative. By illustrating how thoughtful resolutions can align with their pursuit of happiness—balancing comfort with meaningful, sustainable goals—HR can inspire a more fulfilling approach to both work and life. After all, YOLO isn’t just about indulgence; it’s also about making the most of the life you live.
Here’s how HR teams can turn resolutions into impactful, sustainable initiatives:
Happiness as a resolution
Rather than pushing employees toward conventional resolutions, the HR personnel should encourage them to pursue true happiness. But this is not about superficial pursuits or temporary fixes; it’s about helping employees align their personal and professional well-being. To achieve this, HR can promote the integration of health, productivity and purpose.
Health and happiness: The indispensable duo
Good health is the foundation of happiness. How can employees thrive if they’re battling constant fatigue or illness? It is up to the HR to ensure employees understand the inextricable link between well-being and performance. From posters that visually connect health and happiness to wellness campaigns, the message should be clear: a healthy employee is a happy and productive one.
Make exercise a non-negotiable
Exercise isn’t just a physical necessity—it’s a mental boon. Simple initiatives such as midday walks, stair-climbing challenges, or even yoga sessions at work can embed exercise into the workday. Human resource teams could introduce gamified contests, such as solving word puzzles or completing mental exercises, to keep employees’ minds sharp. Prizes for participation make these activities both fun and rewarding.
Ensure employees converse
The pervasive presence of gadgets and devices in the lives of younger employees has diminished face-to-face interactions. One radical yet potentially transformative solution could be restricting mobile phone use in the canteen or during lunch breaks. While this might initially seem drastic, its long-term benefits can be profound. Without the distraction of screens, employees can engage in meaningful conversations, foster camaraderie, and share moments of genuine laughter. Lunch breaks would evolve into an opportunity to relax, connect, and build stronger interpersonal relationships. Such an initiative, championed by the HR, could turn mealtime into a cherished part of the workday—an effort employees would come to appreciate deeply.
Foster a culture of healthy eating
The HR can play a pivotal role in fostering healthy eating habits among employees. One effective approach is to offer nutritious yet appetising options in the cafeteria—meals that are low in oil, fat, and grease but high in flavour and nutritional value. To keep the initiative engaging, a weekly ‘cheat day’ can be introduced to allow employees to indulge, even while staying motivated to embrace healthier choices in the long term.
The benefits are clear: healthier employees are happier employees, and happier employees are more productive, driving business success. To add an element of fun and accountability, consider placing a weighing scale in the cafeteria and introducing incentives. Quarterly rewards for those who maintain a healthy weight and a grand annual prize for sustained progress can create a culture of well-being that aligns personal health goals with organisational performance.
Highlight the power of smiling
Encourage employees to embrace the power of a smile—arguably the simplest yet most transformative gesture. Smiling is often dismissed as a trivial motion, but its physiological and psychological benefits are profound. Smiling releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine—natural mood lifters that reduce stress and anxiety.
The HR department can integrate this into the culture by recognising employees with the most vibrant smiles—rewarding them with free dental checkups or public accolades.
Help them find love, friendship
Loneliness is an unspoken epidemic among today’s workforce, especially for younger employees who struggle to balance work with social lives. Addressing this issue requires creativity.
Take inspiration from a Thai company that introduced ‘Tinder Leave’, offering paid days off for dating. While this may seem unconventional, the message is clear: relationships matter. Human resource departments can adapt this idea by organising networking events, supporting interest-based clubs, or even hosting speed-friending sessions within the organisation.
By enabling employees to form meaningful connections, the HR can help them build not just professional networks but personal lifelines of support and joy.
The benefits of these initiatives extend beyond individual employees. A truly happy employee can uplift colleagues, inspire teams, and energise the workplace. This cascading effect transforms organisations into more collaborative and resilient ecosystems.
As 2025 unfolds, the HR must take the lead in helping employees adopt resolutions that truly matter. By prioritising health, happiness and meaningful connections, organisations can create a workforce that is not only more productive but also more fulfilled. After all, happy employees aren’t just good for business—they’re good for everyone.
