The Importance of Workplace Culture

What is Workplace Culture?

Workplace culture is “a collection of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that make up the regular atmosphere in a work environment”, according to Indeed.

Workplace culture is a key factor in determining whether a person will fit in well to their new job. It also has an effect on whether colleagues have strong professional relationships with one another. We have spoken before in other blog posts about how important good work relationships are in improving employee morale. Did you know that workplace culture will also impact employee engagement, staff retention, work-life balance, and job satisfaction? So it is really important to work on creating a pleasant work environment that your employees feel a part of. 

Some examples of positive workplace culture

The world’s top organizations who continue to invest in their people reap the rewards of a positive workplace culture according to Human Resources Director. Comparably.com, a workplace data specialist, outlined a list of 50 companies that have been rated highly for positive workplace culture by their own employees. The survey measured different categories such as compensation, work-life balance, and leadership.

 Here are the top 5 companies on the list:

1. Google
2. Adobe
3. Samsung
4. Microsoft
5. Hubspot

Why is Workplace Culture important?

Workplace culture is important as it can help you decide whether a potential candidate is a good fit for your organization. Some people may prefer a traditional work environment whereas others will opt for a more casual and laidback workplace. It creates a sense of alignment within your company and allows colleagues to build strong relationships with one another. As a result, employees are more engaged and feel their contribution is valued.

Effective Hiring

A good workplace culture means you have an understanding of the traits to look for in new employees and can see if candidates reflect your company values. As mentioned, it also means that colleagues with similar traits are hired to the company which can result in stronger work relationships. As well as that, it attracts the right talent to your organization and retains it. Employee retention is crucial in creating a good work environment. In addition to that, a good company reputation is reliant on employee retention.

Job seekers also site workplace culture as an important factor in their own decision making process. Research shows that it is a deciding factor for 46% of jobseekers, while 88% say it is important.

Job Satisfaction

Engaged and happy employees are another benefit of having a good workplace culture in place. It is proven that a positive work environment leads to higher job satisfaction levels. When a workplace culture is toxic or employees aren’t happy in their work it means they are less engaged and productivity levels will decrease. Engaged employees also mean a better work-life balance which everyone should strive for in their work.

Performance

If not for your employee’s happiness, a company with a strong workplace culture usually outperforms their competitors financially and are generally more successful, according to ERC.com. This is because your teams are working together harmoniously, productivity levels are high and employees feel valued and engaged in their work.

So how do you create a good workplace culture?

Identify your workplace culture

You need to know what kind of culture your organization has. Robert E. Quinn and Kim S. Cameron have identified four types of corporate culture, which include:

• Clan culture: People-focused company culture where mentorship and teamwork are at the core. The work environment is highly collaborative and action-oriented.

• Adhocracy culture: The workplace culture is rooted in innovation and risk-taking. Employees’ individuality is valued and they are encouraged to think creatively.

• Market culture: The company culture focuses on competition and growth. Profitability is at the core of the organization’s actions and behavior. The culture puts an emphasis on external success and results.

• Hierarchy culture: Structure and stability are the main drivers of these organizations. Their corporate structures are often traditional and risk-averse.

Leadership

Having effective leadership and management that empowers employees will lead to positive effects on your workplace culture. When employees can feel they can ask for help and feel supported, a better work environment will exist for all. Companies are a place of work, but also learning and development are really important to job satisfaction. In fact, a workplace survey report found that 94% of surveyed employees responded that they would remain longer in a workplace if the company invested in learning opportunities for them

Workplace practices

The workplace practices you put in place directly influence the culture of your company and impact how employees act. For example, regular meetings between employees where they share updates will create an open work environment where everyone knows what others are working on. Another example is the onboarding of new staff – when new employees are introduced to others and get trained up well, they will feel more comfortable in the office and settle in a lot easier. It gives the impression that the company cares about them fitting into the team there. If there are certain workplace traditions like going for a drink after work on Fridays or Monday morning coffees etc., it gives employees a sense of belonging and comradery within their team.

Putting work into creating a healthy workplace culture is so worth it – ask any of the companies from the list at the beginning of this article. Employees want to feel a part of an organization that cares about them and is aligned with their values. Having a positive workplace culture in place will attract the best talent suited to your organization and hold on to it.

Need help with your strategic workforce planning? Reach out to Celayix now.