Do people need a lot of money or wealth to be happy? Some social scientists say no. Once people getbeyond having their basic needs met, making more money does little to raise the sense of satisfaction(Diener & Seligman, 2002). What, then, makes people happy? According to a new science of happiness,authentic happiness centers on conditions that enable people to flourish in their lives (Seligman, 2003).When asked what conditions brought them the greatest source of happiness, more than 900 women saidtheir greatest sense of happiness came from their children, religious or spiritual life, family connections andfriendships, contributing to the lives of others, and leisure and holiday time (Diener & Seligman, 2002).Further, research reported in the Miller, Caldwell, and Lawson (2000), the Sloane Business Review (1991),and by the Business Women's Network (2002) reveals that many professional working women, if given theoption, would choose flextime, spending time with family, and helping others over making more money.Other studies show women want friendly and supportive work environments and are, therefore, workingwith organizational leaders to achieve them. In fact, a recent article, The Opt-Out Revolution, reports thatbecause the corporate world has not enabled conditions that help women flourish, many are unhappy andmany others are leaving the traditional corporate world altogether (Belkin, 2003). Thus, while some studiessuggest that women are leaving the workplace only for reasons such as maternity leaves or day careproblems, this paper suggests that although "motherhood" is very important to women, it is not just aboutthis. Social scientists such as Gallos (1989), Ehrenreich (1995), and Hall (1986) say this trend is more aboutconditions that impede women's satisfaction with the workplace. Therefore, this study seeks to know moreabout the conditions which can impede or enhance women's happiness in the workplace.
