Rethinking Workplace Happiness: An Examination in The Context of Ekşi Sözlük

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to analyze employees' views and attitudes regarding workplace happiness, uncover implicit relationships related to the phenomenon, and deepen existing knowledge. To this end, the research analyzed comments on topics related to workplace happiness on the Ekşi Sözlük platform using thematic analysis.
Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a qualitative research design. The research dataset consists of 255 entries under four headings on Ekşi Sözlük: “being happy at work,” “tips for being happy at work,” “reasons for being happy at work,” and “reasons for not being happy at work.” Including reasons for not being happy at work in the analysis broadened the scope of interpretation and ensured a greater variety of findings. The entries comprising the data set were subjected to thematic analysis, and the MAXQDA24 software was used in the analysis process.
Results – Patterns related to workplace happiness derived from Ekşi Sözlük comments were examined under four different themes: the importance of workplace happiness, sources of workplace happiness, strategies for happiness, and ontological cynical attitudes. The importance elements were grouped under two sub-themes: individual and organizational, while the sources were identified as work and organizational structure, individual dynamics, and social relationships. Strategies for happiness encompass two distinct themes: strategic cynicism in work and social relationships, and work-focused strategies. Finally, comments regarding the impossibility of workplace happiness were conceptualized under the theme of ontological cynicism
Discussion – The research analyzes the layered pattern of workplace happiness, which remains a blind spot in quantitative studies. Specifically, it contributes to the relevant literature by discussing the contradictions between idealized organizational conditions and employees' experiences and strategies for happiness, based on the practical reflections of workplace happiness.