Employee satisfaction increases at the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður

Overall employee satisfaction among staff of the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has increased year on year. Satisfaction levels are measured above the national average of Iceland’s employee satisfaction index. The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður scores above the national index in the majority of measured factors in the workplace analysis, or in 7 out of 10 categories. In two categories the results are in line with the average, and only one category measures slightly below.

“It is extremely pleasing to see this steady positive development over several years. It shows that when employees’ voices are heard and improvements to the working environment and management are made in a structured way, it results in increased job satisfaction and improved wellbeing,” says Lind Einarsdóttir, Human Resources Director of the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður.

Out of ten measured factors, scores increased in five categories year on year and remained unchanged in four. “It is particularly encouraging to see a significant increase in the assessment of management, where evaluations of senior leadership have improved, as well as a notable increase in satisfaction with pay and employment terms,” Lind says.

A consistent positive trend is evident when looking at the past three years. Most key workplace factors, such as job satisfaction, trust, management, and employees’ experience of working conditions, have been on an upward trajectory since 2023. “The results show that the municipality’s improvement efforts are not random but part of a continuous journey, where results are actively used and followed up with concrete actions,” she adds.

The results will continue to be used as guiding principles in the project Wellbeing at Work, an 18‑month journey toward improved health and wellbeing. They will be presented to managers and staff, examined in more detail at individual workplaces, and action plans will be developed in collaboration with employees. The aim is to continue along this positive path and create workplaces where professionalism, trust, and wellbeing are a priority.

The survey was conducted in February 2026 and achieved a response rate of 69 percent, providing a reliable picture of employees’ experience of the municipality’s workplaces. The research company Prósent conducted the survey and ensured 100 percent confidentiality for participants.

Photo caption: The image shows a number of managers from the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður.