Scientists say happiness is contagious and thrives among social groups.  So perhaps it’s time to spread a little cheer in the workplace to help banish the downturn blues.

Research from Harvard Medical School claims that “happiness is infectious” and “rubs off on others”.  This is an extension of the feelgood factor, the kind of thing that happens in better economic times or when England’s football team does well in a big tournament.  But the study highlights a kind of infectious happiness that is sustained by social networks.

The survey, punblished in the British Medical Journal, looked at 5,000 adults and concludes that people’s happiness depends on how happy those around them are.  The findings shows that a friend who becomes happy and lives less than a mile away increased your chance of happiness by 25 per cent.

The mood of work colleagues did not have as strong an effect – presumably because the ties we have to workmates are not of the same strength of quality as those we have with our friends and family.  This is especially true in the US, where commitment to employers is weak and mobility between companies is high.  But the UK’s long-hours culture forces employees closer together and promotes a stronger sense of loyalty.  Positive relationships at work can be infectious and help to lift us out of the prevailing “doom and gloom” mentality.

Participants in the survey were asked whether they agreed with statements on whether they enjoyed life, felt hopeful about the future, were happy and believed they were just as good as other people.  The study revealed that when live-in partners became happy it raised the likelihood of their partner being content by eight per cent – similar effects were found by siblings living nearby (14 percent) and neighbours (34 percent).  It suggest that “clusters of happiness” occur because joy spreads and not just because people associate with those they think are like them.  Professor Nicholas Christakis, the lead scientist, says that what is “most important is the recognition that people are embedded in social networks, and that the health and wellbeing of one person affects the health and wellbeing of others”.

If close-knit social networks are crucial for the spread of happiness, it seems important that we take action to move away from the individualised mindset that is now dominant.  The credit crunch has been an unsolicited catalyst that may start this process over the coming months, but if people believe that they will also be happier as a result, they may make permanent changes.

If happiness is infectious, it’s likely that sadness is as well, so don’t let doom and gloom settle over the country.  We should not adopt a negative view of the business future, or avoid opportunities out of fear, or become too cautious, or competitive with colleagues to protect our jobs.  We must pull together, work as a team and spread positive vibes.  Remember, happiness is infectious – this is now a scientific fact!

Article written by Cary Cooper for Director Magazine, February 2009.