Workplace culture is a phrase that is banded about like employee engagement and work/life balance. But what is a company’s culture?
A company’s culture is defined by the values, goals, beliefs, behaviours, processes and practices that make up the regular, or normal atmosphere, in a work environment, including leadership/management, hiring, promotion, training, rewards and development.
When workplace culture goes toxic
Everyone knows the negative effects that a bad (toxic) workplace culture can have on employees. Everything from mental health issues, stress, burnout, anxiety and depression, low retention rates, conflict, poor communications and a lack of trust and respect. That’s why it’s important for employers to invest time and energy in building a good workplace culture so that their employees are motivated, happy and productive, keen to collaborate and the organisation is more attractive when it comes to the recruitment of new employees as well.
What makes a good workplace culture?
A positive culture at work goes deeper than employee benefits and helping employees to feel supported and appreciated. It also involves open communication, mutual respect, shared goals, prioritising health/well-being and good leadership, combined with an investment in equality, inclusivity and diversity and a commitment to employee appreciation, learning, growth and development.
A positive work culture improves employee engagement and productivity by valuing employees at all levels and enhancing their overall work experience. Whilst improving morale, loyalty and productivity, it also leaves employees feeling more invested in their work and knowing that they are appreciated and valued by their employers.
What’s involved in making a change?
Building a positive work culture won’t happen overnight. It will take time and involve agreement between senior business leaders, the HR team, and management to enhance the overall business atmosphere.
- Evaluate current practices, policies and employee needs and embrace employee feedback. Asking employees for their open and honest thoughts via a survey, setting up exit interviews, or having a focus group to generate ideas are all effective ways to encourage employees to have a voice and share their ideas for areas in the business that may need to be improved.
- Establish company’s mission, values, and goals. Think about what things are important to your organisation and then incorporate them into everything that you do for the benefit of everyone involved as well as the future success of the business.
- Acknowledge great work by thanking employees for their efforts and perhaps creating a rewards system that makes them feel valued and appreciated.
- Train your managers to understand policies and processes and learn to be more compassionate and understanding so that employees know they can approach them without fear of retribution.
- Be flexible, proactive and transparent. Recognise that when things aren’t working that changes need to be made. Be open and honest. Listen and implement changes quickly to demonstrate a willingness to listen and learn and appear more trustworthy.
- Help employees to improve their skills so they can advance their careers through the provision of regular training, learning and development opportunities.
- Put in place diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programmes which welcome, take account of and celebrate employees of different ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, disabilities, genders, religions, cultures and sexual orientations.
For help and advice when it comes to making improvements to your workplace culture, please get in touch.
