Workplace happiness awards highlight family leave, staff support in Hong Kong
The sixth Chief Happiness Officer Appreciation Award 2026 recognised companies for employee well-being, with recipients emphasising culture, supportive colleagues and purpose over pay. Towngas manager Yvonne Lai and Mandala Medical Education CEO William Lam highlighted policies such as leave for fam
Workplace happiness depends on more than pay and benefits, with company culture, supportive colleagues and a sense of purpose playing an important role, award recipients said at the sixth Chief Happiness Officer Appreciation Award 2026 in Hong Kong.
Towngas customer service centre manager Yvonne Lai, who received a “Be My Own CHO” individual award, said a supportive team and an understanding corporate culture had given her a strong sense of belonging and fulfilment during her 25-year career. Lai joined the company as a frontline employee before moving into management. She said customer service could be stressful, but talking through difficulties with colleagues and receiving support from the company helped staff cope with negative emotions and pressure.
Smaller businesses can also create happier workplaces, according to William Lam, founder and chief executive of Mandala Medical Education, which was named among the Top 5 Happy SMEs to Work For. Lam said reasonable pay was important in keeping employees engaged, but meaningful work and the opportunity to contribute to society also mattered. The company has introduced a policy allowing staff to accompany elderly family members or young children to medical appointments without having leave deducted. It also subsidises employees who pursue further study or professional qualifications.
Speaking at the ceremony, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare Ho Kai-ming said the rise of artificial intelligence meant employees needed to reassess the value they could bring to the workplace and work with employers to build happier working environments. June Leung, chairwoman of the association’s honorary advisory board, said companies should pay greater attention to employees’ needs amid economic challenges. “A culture of happiness is not a cost, but a source of competitiveness,” she said.
Shiu Ka-fai, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the Legislative Council, said employee happiness could benefit productivity, workplace harmony and business performance. “Making colleagues happy can only help a company’s productivity, harmony and business,” Shiu said. He added that improving employee happiness did not necessarily require substantial resources and praised the Chief Happiness Officer Association for promoting the concept.