The overall score for organizational culture health in Romania is 7.0

Pluxee Romania, a global leader in Employee Benefits and Engagement, announces the results of the first “Worklife Happiness Barometer”, an in-depth analysis of organizational culture in Romania, developed in partnership with the British data and tech company, The Happiness Index.  The research surveyed approximately 11,000 employees.

A pioneering initiative in the local workforce market, the “Worklife Happiness Barometer” is based on The Cultural Assessment, a unique tool developed by The Happiness Index, which measures and evaluates the health of organizational culture using four dimensions of human needs: rational, emotional, instinctive, and reflective.

The overall score for organizational culture health in Romania is 7.0. This score is mainly influenced by employees not receiving enough opportunities to make their opinions heard and feel valued as individuals, as well as inspiration and opportunities to grow their careers. Romanian companies perform better on emotional and rational indicators, where the scores are 7.4, and 7.1 than instinctive and reflective needs, where the scores are lower. That results in a work environment that fosters good work relationships and enables employees to be aware of their impact on the organization.

“The Worklife Happiness Barometer is a comprehensive analysis of the factors that drive motivation and engagement among Romanian employees. Developed in partnership with The Happiness Index, this research initiative is a first on the Romanian workforce market and we aim for it to serve as a valuable tool for business leaders and HR professionals who understand that a human-centric approach is essential for the growth and resilience of businesses in an increasingly competitive landscape. As a partner to over 35,000 companies in Romania and exclusive provider of The Happiness Index tool on the local market, Pluxee is committed to helping its clients enhance employee happiness and engagement”, said Gabor Olajos, Country Managing Director, Pluxee Romania and Bulgaria.

“This study comes at a crucial time for the Romanian market, where shifts in work culture, economic pressures, and evolving employee expectations are redefining the workplace. As a neuroscientist, I welcome the integration of neuroscience into the study methodology, as it provides deeper insights beyond self-reported data, revealing subconscious emotions, stress triggers, and cognitive responses that shape workplace experiences. This scientific approach provides organizations with deeper, more objective insights, enabling them to design work environments that foster genuine engagement, satisfaction, and long-term productivity”, said Ana Iorga, neuroscientist.

 

Relevant findings about Romanian employees

The “Worklife Happiness Barometer” study identified the specific challenges or characteristics of employees depending on their age, region, or the size of the company they work for.

Employees aged 19-30 reported lower levels of happiness and engagement than their older counterparts. Many in this age group feel undervalued and struggle with finding meaning in their work, which indicates a need for organizations to develop targeted strategies to support early-career employees. Employees over 60 represent the age segment most engaged at work, who score over 10% higher on all measures.

Regional variations show notable differences in employee experiences. Employees in Bucovina report the highest happiness levels, with 43% giving maximum scores for their work experience. In contrast, employees in Muntenia have lower satisfaction, scoring below average in several areas including job clarity, career progression, and work-life balance.

Employees in small businesses (with fewer than 50 employees) feel more connected to their organization’s strategy and values, whereas those in large enterprises (with more than 1,000 employees) often struggle with feeling recognized and valued, although these companies offer greater resources and opportunities for development. This suggests that larger companies may need to implement more personalized engagement initiatives.

Work happiness in Romania

The employee happiness score in Romania is 7.0 highlighting mainly that many employees feel that their contributions are not fully recognized.

The key happiness scores reveal several strengths and areas for improvement. Employees rate work relationships highly, with an overall score of 7.6, indicating positive experiences in teamwork, collaboration, and harmonious interactions. However, freedom at work is rated 7.0, suggesting that while employees feel some autonomy, there is potential to improve personal freedom and task flexibility. Safety is another area for growth, with a score of 6.8, reflecting a safe physical environment but lower trust in the organization, indicating the need for stronger leadership confidence. Finally, acknowledgment scores are low at 6.4, as employees seek more recognition and active listening.

Work engagement in Romania

The employee engagement score in Romania is 7.1, with employees appreciating the support in managing their workload.

Key strengths include enablement, with a score of 7.9, as Romanian companies effectively support employees with resources and workload management. However, employees desire better internal communication. Areas for improvement are seen in meaning and purpose, with a score of 7.2, where employees feel aligned with company goals but lack inspiration and challenges in their roles. Clarity, also scoring 7.2, is another area for growth, as clearer communication on expectations and contributions would enhance engagement. Personal growth, with a score of 6.5, shows significant potential for improvement. Companies can boost engagement by enhancing career growth, learning opportunities, and offering more stimulating roles.

How many employees would recommend the company they work for to others

One of the most telling findings of the study is the Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS), which measures employees’ likelihood of recommending their company as a great place to work. Only 32% of employees would actively recommend their workplace, while 48% would not. 20% of employees are passive. This highlights an urgent need for companies to enhance workplace culture, strengthen employee engagement strategies, and create a more supportive and inclusive work environment.

Methodological considerations

The study “Worklife Happiness Barometer” was conducted by Pluxee Romania, together with The Happiness Index. The data was collected digitally on a sample of 10,674 Romanian employees over a three-week period, from October 25 to November 18, 2024. The purpose of this research is to help organizations understand employees’ levels of satisfaction and engagement by analyzing 22 predefined questions, all grounded in neuroscience. The survey included questions about: Happiness (10), Engagement (10), Overall happiness (1), Employee Net Promoter Score – eNPS (1).