“Workplace culture” isn’t just a buzzword. More and more employees are prioritizing accepting positions at companies that have a strong and healthy culture, especially as we shift towards a post-pandemic world. Corporate culture is not just happy hours and perks, it’s about bringing humanity into your workplace. Here’s the thing: workplace culture doesn’t just benefit your employees. It also benefits you as an employer.
According to Forbes, a positive culture is known to:
- Improve teamwork
- Raise morale
- Increase productivity and efficiency
- Enhance employee retention
- Promote job satisfaction
- Reduce stress
If you’re ready to walk the walk and start improving your company’s environment, comb through these strategies that will help you to make that happen.
Offer Flexible Work
A big part of our mission at MomUp is promoting flexible work opportunities for our candidates by partnering with organizations that recognize and value the contributions of working parents and connecting these employers with our incredible network of talent. When you think of flexibility in the workplace, your mind likely wanders to the idea of remote work first. Although that is a form of flexibility, it’s not the only one that can, and should, be considered and offered to employees.
As shared by Indeed, other examples of flexible work include:
- Flex time, working a total of 8 hours each day but at varying times throughout the day rather than the standard 9 am - 5 pm
- Reduced hours or part-time, if desired
- Compressed work week, allowing for a 4-day work week
- Job sharing
- Unlimited paid time off
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By accommodating your employees and giving them the opportunity to create a schedule that works for them and their lifestyle, you’re preventing burnout and allowing them to feel more productive in their role.
Live Your Company’s Mission and Values
Not only is it important for your employees to know what your mission statement and values are but it’s even more important for them to witness them in action at your company. This goes beyond slapping a statement on your website and should instead focus on living out those values every single day.
Closely aligning with corporate social responsibility (CSR), Harvard Business School shares eye-opening statistics about employees and CSR:
- 93% of employees believe companies must lead with purpose
- Nearly 70% of employees say they wouldn’t work for a company without a strong purpose
- 92% of employees who work at a company with a strong sense of purpose say they would be more likely to recommend their employer to others
- 90% of employees who work at companies with a strong sense of purpose say they’re more inspired, motivated, and loyal
Those are some staggering numbers, right? Companies who are truly putting their money where their mouth is, to put it honestly, are doing more than just adding a rainbow to their logo for Pride Month but rather showing support in a variety of ways:
- Donating money to organizations that align with them and their employees
- Sponsoring team-wide volunteer days
- Providing opportunities for equal employment
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And more. Employers who make their mission obvious and prove it are more likely to create an environment that makes employees feel excited to be a part of the organization.
Increase Employee Recognition and Listen
What’s one way to easily make your employees feel good? Recognize them for the work they do. During a time where it’s easy for employees to feel like they’re replaceable, it’s important now more than ever to show your employees just how much they mean to you and your organization.
That includes:
- Giving credit where it’s due for projects and successful results
- Shouting out team members during company meetings
- Sharing positive feedback received from clients or customers with your employees
When employees feel valued, they’re more likely to feel more excited about their work and the role that they play in the overall mission.
Additionally, it’s crucial to listen to feedback provided by your employees, both good and bad. A company that takes all thoughts and concerns into consideration to constantly find ways to improve and accommodate their employees is a company that candidates will want to work for. On the other hand, a company who brushes any issues or complaints under the rug is a company that may not retain as many employees.
Establish Autonomy within Teams
What’s one thing that teams need to succeed? Autonomy and the ability to oversee themselves, helping them to feel confident in their roles and capable of achieving new heights. Instead of micromanaging your employees and setting goals for them, encourage them to lead on their own and set goals for themselves that align with their work and skills.
As O.C. Tanner explains, “If teams can’t set their own goals, make important decisions, and decide how to manage projects without constant leader direction, then they will feel less likely to collaborate together and share ideas.” Examples of autonomy include:
- Freedom for creativity
- Ability for employees to prioritize their own workloads
- The choice for employees to choose which projects they do and don’t want to work on
By giving more power to your employees, you’re showing your trust in them and allowing them to see their value and expertise.
Allow for Time to Play
You can’t only focus on all work and no play, right? Giving your employees an opportunity to relax, have fun, and build better relationships with their coworkers is key to overall success of the organization. Especially with 58% of employees feeling burnt out, according to Eagle Hill Consulting, play time is crucial for companies to provide their employees with ways to recharge.
Examples of this include:
- Onsite gyms and exercise equipment
- Team outings during the day to be inclusive to parents, such as book clubs, team lunches, or walks with coworkers
- Flexible Fridays, giving employees the option to end their work week early after a half day of work
As noted by Inc., playtime in the office is known to:
- Improve cognitive function
- Increase productivity
- Enhance talent acquisition
- Reduce stress and burnout
- Boost workplace satisfaction
Who wouldn’t want to work for a company that prioritizes the mental health and work/life balance of their employees, encouraging time for fun?
It’s important to remember that building a solid workplace culture isn’t something that will happen overnight and will likely involve a lot of trial and error, as what works for another organization won’t always work for you – and that’s okay. By thinking outside of the box with your ideas and taking feedback from your employees into consideration, you’ll be on the right track.
Have any questions about how you can make this happen at your company?
