Nominations for this year's National Happiness Awards opened at the beginning of June. After the success of last year awards, there has been a sharp increase in early nominations, particularly from people who are clients and customers of the workplaces they are nominating.

Happiness isn’t just about laughter, although we all enjoy a good giggle. While it’s true to some extent that messing around and playing the buffoon can get you places in life, happiness is also a serious business.

Here at National Happiness Awards HQ, we like to celebrate in style. We even have a special happiness bell that we ring whenever someone, somewhere performs an act of happiness – much to the annoyance of Barry the office cat, who is possessed of a nervous disposition. For this reason, Keith from accounts was banned from using the bell, on account of his over-exuberance. Thankfully him and Barry are now back on speaking terms.