The FREE handbook offers actionable ideas on how employees can work to feel fulfilled and satisfied by their hospitality job
Following CODE Hospitality releasing its Happiest Places to Work 2025 list, Planday – the workforce management software company from Xero that worked in conjunction with CODE on the list – has released The Handbook to Happiness 2.0, a free guide for hospitality workers that provides actionable insights into reducing burnout and increasing job happiness and fulfilment.
Recent research by Planday shows that only 23% of hospitality employees feel very happy in their current role – so Planday is set on making a change. Continuing the work of the 2024 Handbook to Happiness, which outlines how managers can create a better environment for their team, The Handbook to Happiness 2.0 provides team members themselves with the tools to ensure they are clocking on for a happy shift, every time.
Planday’s top three actionable insights from the guide include:
- Reset with short breaks: even 10 minute breaks have a big impact. Workers should be mindful and avoid doom scrolling to make the most of time away from the action.
- Connect with the team: Being collaborative can reduce the risk of team burnout by up to 60%. It’s important to be open and honest about commitments that will impact availability, and pitch in to help out another team member if you can. The hospitality industry is all about working together, and the more an employee can give, the more they will get in return.
- Make the most of time outside the job: By focusing on positive activities beyond the job, shifts become more manageable, less stressful, and easier to handle. Working out, planning meals ahead and prioritizing good quality sleep all contribute in making for a better work/life balance, which 64% of workers agree would make them happier at work.
Dave Lee, CEO of Planday, comments: “It’s known that mental health in hospitality should be prioritised more, and so it was an honour to work with CODE Hospitality on its Happiest Places to Work list, and to celebrate businesses that are putting its staff first.
“By providing employees with the tools to have a happy shift every time, we hope to reduce the industry’s high staff turnover and job dissatisfaction and instead create a more fulfilled and positive space for teams.”
The full 20-page guide from Planday offers a holistic steer to achieving happiness at work – from tips and insights on celebrating personal wins, stress-busting techniques, proper hydration, boosting team morale and even smart snacking.
Planday can help hospitality businesses with scheduling rotas, communication, payroll, employee management, time tracking and also reporting. Planday prides itself on being an industry voice on happiness in the work place, fulfilling campaigns such as ‘The Single Biggest Shift’, Manager’s Toolkit and original ‘Handbook to Happiness’, working to improve hospitality business’s bottom line and the industry as a whole.
Planday’s Happiness Guide can be downloaded here. Download before 31st October 2025 to be in with a chance of winning a £400 Bubala Voucher for you and your team.
The competition is open to all individuals who download ‘Putting Happiness to Work’ on https://planday.com/lp/handbook-to-happiness-2025. Entrants must be over 18 years of age. Planday employees and associates are excluded from the draw.
The winning prize will be a £400 voucher to Bubala. For those that are not based in London, Planday will offer 1 year subscription to CODE app for up to seven team members.
The winning prize must be taken before 1st January 2026.
The winner must make their own reservation with their chosen restaurant and provide Planday with at least 2 weeks notice to arrange the voucher.
Planday will need more than 48 hours notice if the booking is cancelled, otherwise there is a risk of paying a late booking restaurant fee which will be taken out of the £400, unless the winners choose to cover this.
The prize is non-transferable and non-exchangeable, and no cash alternatives will be provided.
Full terms and conditions are available here.
For more information on Planday please visit their website here.
