Employee happiness — often intertwined with engagement, well-being, and a sense of belonging — remains a top priority for organizations in March 2026. Recent data paints a challenging picture: U.S. employee engagement held steady at 31% in 2025 (down from a 36% peak in 2020), while global engagement dipped to 21% in 2024, with manager engagement falling notably. SHRM's State of the Workplace 2026 report emphasizes that success now hinges on prioritizing employee well-being, s