Happiest Places to Work has officially announced the launch of India’s first-ever Workplace Happiness Awards. Scheduled to debut in Mumbai in late July, this pioneering initiative aims to recognize organizations that go beyond standard perks to prioritize daily employee experience and foster a genuinely positive corporate culture.
As workplace dynamics evolve, the awards highlight a critical shift: the direct link between an employee’s everyday well-being and long-term business success. The upcoming ceremony is expected to draw top CEOs, CHROs, and senior business leaders from across India’s corporate sector.
Why Workplace Happiness Matters
While written policies and formal benefits are standard, these awards focus on the reality of how employees actually feel at work on a day-to-day basis.
“Workplace happiness is becoming central to how organizations grow and perform. Platforms like these help bring that conversation to the forefront,” noted Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Group.
Echoing this sentiment, Raj Nayak, founder of Happiest Places to Work, pointed out that many companies still overlook the nuances of daily employee sentiment. The awards seek to change this by celebrating companies that sustain truly meaningful work environments.
A Distinguished Jury of Industry Stalwarts
To ensure a rigorous and professional assessment across all stages, the awards are backed by a high-profile jury of senior business and human resources leaders, chaired by Harsh Goenka.
| Jury Member | Role / Organisation |
| Harsh Goenka (Chairperson) | Chairman, RPG Group |
| Achal Khanna | CEO, SHRM, APAC & MENA |
| Harit Nagpal | MD & CEO, Tata Play |
| Pavitra Singh | CHRO & VP, PepsiCo India & South Asia |
| Dr. Atul Hegde | Founder & Chairman, YAAP Digital |
| Dr. Prajjal Saha | Founder & Editor-in-Chief, HR Katha |
| Nitu Bhushan | Director Human Resources, South Asia, Nestlé |
| Pushp Kumar Nayar | Executive Director HRD, BPCL |
| Sunita Cherian | Ex Chief Culture Officer & SVP Corporate HR, Wipro |
The Assessment Process: How to Participate
The awards are open to organizations of all sizes and across all sectors. The organizers have designed a straightforward yet insightful evaluation process that includes:
- A Structured “Happiness Dialogue”: Direct engagement with employees to gauge their daily experiences.
- Comprehensive Culture Audit: A deep dive into the company’s real-world practices.
- Final Jury Review: Objective assessment by the leadership panel.
Entries are currently open on the official website: www.happiestplacestoworkawards.com.
About Happiest Places to Work
Happiest Places to Work partners with organizations to decode and elevate the employee experience. By focusing on practical, meaningful steps, the group works closely with leaders and teams to build workplace cultures where people genuinely feel valued and happy.