IEHWS 2023

International Employee Happiness & Wellbeing Standard

The definitive framework for creating workplaces where people thrive. Global best practices in employee experience, happiness and wellbeing have been researched, reviewed and codified into a comprehensive, measurable standard.

8

SECTIONS

6

VECTOR MODEL

12

EX PILLARS

40+

COUNTRIES

What is IEHWS 2023?

The International Digital Customer Experience Standard (IDCXS 2024) establishes the requirements for designing, delivering and continuously improving digital customer experiences across all channels. It bridges the gap between technology capability and customer expectation, ensuring digital interactions are seamless, personalised, accessible and trustworthy.

Born from extensive research into digital best practices across industries and geographies, IDCXS 2024 provides a structured, measurable framework that any organisation can implement. The standard encompasses the complete digital customer journey, from discovery through to advocacy, ensuring consistency across every touchpoint.

By adopting IDCXS 2024, organisations gain a competitive advantage through improved customer satisfaction, reduced friction in digital interactions, and a clear pathway to digital maturity and excellence.

Framework & Approach

Built on global research across 40+ countries, IEHWS 2023 combines best practices from leading organisations with scientifically-proven wellbeing principles. The standard is structured around eight core sections, supported by the Vector 6 happiness model and twelve experience pillars.

This comprehensive approach ensures organisations can assess their current state, implement meaningful improvements, and sustain a culture where employees genuinely thrive.

The Vector 6 Employee Happiness Model

Six interconnected dimensions that drive genuine employee happiness and wellbeing

Purpose

Connecting employees to meaningful work and organisational mission

Trust

Building psychological safety, transparency and authentic leadership

Fairness

Ensuring equity in opportunity, reward, recognition and treatment

Growth

Providing development pathways, learning opportunities and career progression

Connection

Fostering belonging, team cohesion, social bonds and community

Wellbeing

Supporting physical, mental, emotional and financial wellness

The 8 Sections of the Standard

Comprehensive framework covering every aspect of employee experience

Leadership & Governance

Board-level commitment to employee happiness, EX governance structures, and leadership accountability

Strategy & Culture

Employee experience strategy, culture design, values alignment, and employer brand

Listening & Understanding

Employee voice programmes, sentiment analysis, feedback loops, and pulse surveys

Workplace Environment

Physical workspace design, remote/hybrid enablement, tools and technology provision

Health & Wellbeing

Physical health programmes, mental health support, stress management, and work-life harmony

Growth & Development

Career pathways, learning programmes, mentoring, skills development, and succession planning

Recognition & Reward

Fair compensation, recognition programmes, total reward strategy, and performance celebration

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

DEI strategy, belonging measurement, inclusive practices, accessibility, and anti-discrimination

The 12 EX Pillars

Core pillars supporting employee experience excellence

01

Purpose & Meaning

02

Trust & Psychological Safety

03

Leadership Excellence

04

Culture & Values

05

Communication & Voice

06

Growth & Development

07

Recognition & Appreciation

08

Wellbeing & Work-Life Balance

09

Fairness & Equity

10

Team & Belonging

11

Innovation & Empowerment

12

Service Excellence

Your Certification Pathway

Five essential steps to achieving IEHWS 2023 certification

01

Assess

Evaluate your EX maturity using the Experience Excellence Index

02

Implement

Apply the IEHWS 2023 framework and Vector 6 Model

03

Measure

Track happiness and wellbeing through structured criteria

04

Certify

Achieve formal certification to IEHWS 2023

05

Sustain

Build continuous improvement into your culture

Who Is IEHWS 2023 For?

Designed for forward-thinking organisations and leaders committed to employee-first culture

Chief People Officers & HR Directors

Strategic leaders responsible for shaping employee experience and organisational culture

Employee Experience Leaders

Dedicated professionals building world-class employee journeys and engagement programmes

Wellbeing & Culture Managers

Teams focused on creating supportive, inclusive and thriving workplace environments

Chief Happiness Officers

Innovation leaders driving cultural transformation and employee-centric initiatives

Any Organisation Committed to Employee-First Culture

Businesses of all sizes ready to move beyond compliance and build genuinely happy, engaged workforces

Implement the Standard

Begin your journey to cerfication below, select either the Standard or our Online Assessment depending on where you are in your customer experience journey.

Any questions please contact: TBC