What kind of employees become awarded as Employees of the Year in Finland?

Work is not simply about stress and fatigue; it can also be a great source of joy, satisfaction, and success. The aim of this research was to study the phenomenon of success at work: to identify of which elements success is constructed and what factors define the process of becoming a top worker. Finnish “Employees of the Year” (N = 24) were considered representative of successful workers because they have been awarded the title of “Employee of the Year” among and by their colleagues in different occupational fields. The focus of the research was on which factors participants named as sources of their success. On one hand, certain factors were identified that related to their own characteristics as workers and their way of working; on the other hand, some factors were related to how employees described satisfying work and well-functioning collaboration with colleagues. In the present article, the purpose is to focus on positive work experiences, such as experiencing joy from work and work engagement, and thus contribute to the discussion regarding the positive sides of work life today. In this research, success is defined as well-being at work rather than career-oriented behaviour. Positive psychology provides this interpretation of success at work.