The Science of Flourishing and the Future of Work

Workplace Experience Business and Industries
Dec. 16, 2025

Hybrid work, new technologies and AI are reshaping the employee experience - so how can leaders ensure people aren’t just coping, but flourishing? Watch the conversation below to hear Ali Khan, SHAPE Founder and CEO, and Clara Zhou, Head of Marketing, Sodexo Corporate Services UK & Ireland, unpack the research and introduce the Workplace Experience Index, a tool designed to turn human experience into actionable, science-backed metrics.

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Healthy Places + Happy People = The Dynamic Workplace Experience

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The Science of Flourishing and the Future of Work – Q&A

The concept originates from academic research, including work by Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program. It expands beyond traditional well-being to include:
Mental and physical health
Character and virtue
Meaning and purpose
Flourishing is measured through a structured framework that includes:
12 key areas, grouped into three categories:
The individual (“you”)
People around you
Organizational environment
A broader system tracking multiple drivers of performance and well-being
When the factors that support flourishing are aligned and strengthened:
Individuals are more likely to perform at their peak
Productivity and performance increase
Organizations benefit from higher engagement and effectiveness
Workplaces are rapidly evolving due to:
Hybrid work models
New technologies
Artificial intelligence
In this context, flourishing becomes critical because:
It helps employees adapt and thrive
It reduces stress and struggle
It enhances resilience and engagement
Yes. Flourishing can be a competitive advantage because:
It reduces employee struggle and burnout
It improves performance and retention
It strengthens organizational culture
It enables better outcomes at both individual and team levels
Workplace experience goes beyond physical elements like lighting or layout. It also includes:
Organizational culture
Psychological safety
Levels of toxicity or support
A poor culture can negatively impact performance, while a positive one enhances flourishing.
The Workplace Experience Index (WXI) is a tool developed by Sodexo with SHAPE to:
Measure 41 drivers of well-being
Track both employee experience and service delivery
Provide real-time insights into workplace conditions
The WXI stands out because it:
Uses scientifically backed metrics
Provides real-time, actionable insights
Measures what is actually happening “on the ground”
Reduces reliance on guesswork in managing people and workplaces
WXI enables organizations to:
Identify areas needing improvement
Make data-driven investment decisions
Deliver operational excellence
Better support employee needs
The ultimate goal is to:
Enable employees to perform at their best
Improve organizational outcomes
Create workplaces where people thrive, not just function