116 BCBusiness jULY/AUGUST 2018
household salaries rise above US$75,000, people are no
happier. The pursuit of happiness can also lead to lone-
liness, depression and addiction. One long-term study
that began in the 1920s and followed children through
life found that those rated as very cheerful by their
teachers died younger. People also tend to be happier
in collectivist and multicultural nations like Canada
than in individualistic ones such as the U.S., which is
su•ering a serious happiness shortage, according to the
latest World Happiness Report.
"I don't think we should be looking to America for
happiness advice," says Briana Lau, a marketing special-
ist at Vancouver IT services management rm Softland-
ing. "But it's hard for small Vancouver companies to
attract and retain great talent like the big U.S. rms can."
Softlanding is a fast-growing business with 55
employees that hires up to ve people a month. To
draw sta• and keep them happy, the company has a
prot-sharing program for everyone; monthly social
events; an open-concept o"ce with an entertainment
lounge and foosball; and a kitchen stocked with free
food, wine and beer.
HeALtHy WORk
Fraser Health
authority's yabome
Gilpin-Jackson
thinks employees
need to thrive, not
just survive
