ABU DHABI // With soft couches and sofas and even a garden with its own fountain, government employees are being encouraged to take time out and unwind in a special ‘Happiness Cafe’.
Located in the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development in the capital, staff can relax, read a book, listen to music or enjoy a bit of culture and take time out from their busy day to revitalize and rejuvenate themselves.
The cafe, designed to create an atmosphere of positivity, was opened by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development.
“Our wise leadership has launched the National Program for Happiness and Positivity,” he said.
“[This] includes a number of initiatives in three main fields; including happiness in the policies, programs and services of the government sector and its work environment, establishing the values of positivity and happiness as a way of life in the UAE community, and the development of new standards to measure happiness in the UAE community.”
Also present for the opening was Afraa Al Sabri, undersecretary of the ministry, the Customer Happiness Team, the Innovation Team and ministry employees.
Sheikh Nahyan said the cafe reflected the aim of creating a positive environment in the workplace allowing employees to release their productive energy and efforts and thus improving the work environment in the ministry.
Officials hope this will be reflected in improved employee performance, satisfaction and production.
Sheikh Nahyan added that according to the World Happiness Report 2016 the UAE ranked the first happiest country in the Arab world and was rated the 28th happiest country internationally. This provided further encouragement to reach the top five on the international level of happiness, he added.
nhanif@thenational.ae