Why is workplace culture important? And how can you build a great workplace culture?
Why is workplace culture important?
46% of job seekers say that workplace culture is an important deciding factor when looking for a new job1 , but why is this?
Workplace culture and job satisfaction go hand in hand: no matter how shiny the payslip, a poor workplace culture creates a poor employee retention rate.
To attract the top talent, it’s vital for your staff to feel like they fit with your company’s personality.
As 66% of UK Millennials (who make up the majority of the working population) care more about culture than compensation2, and feel that job-hopping is advantageous to their careers3, assessing and improving your company culture is essential.
Exceed Outsourcing’s top tips for building a great workplace culture:
1. Promote diversity and inclusivity
79% of employees say that working somewhere with a diverse workforce is important to their happiness at work4, and more diverse companies outperform companies that have little diversity5.
To discover opinions on diversity and inclusion in your company, send surveys to your employees for them to anonymously share how inclusive and diverse they feel the company is, and see where you could improve.
Another area to check is your recruitment process, where unconscious (or deliberate) bias may be occurring when inviting candidates to interview or offering them jobs.
2. Move with the times
We all want a better quality of life – and this includes a better working life.
The pandemic catalysed the shift to hybrid working and outlined the importance of mental health at work.
To modernise your company culture, consider flexible working, relaxed and green office spaces, and observing Mental Health Awareness Days.
3. Promote employees’ growth within your company
Take your employees’ career growth seriously by offering career development within your company, and empower employees to learn new skills that are useful to their career. Methods range from regular E-learning to upskilling your staff via apprenticeships.
Given that 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development6, professional development of your staff is vital for attracting, retaining, and growing talent within your company.
4. Communication is the key to culture
Seeking feedback at all levels within the company can have a profound effect on your company’s culture and flow.
Open door policies and encouraging employees to speak up promotes collaboration and respect, and allows employees to feel comfortable in their environment.
Open communication is extremely beneficial when mistakes inevitably occur, as the process of owning and rectifying mistakes becomes significantly faster when staff are used to behaving with transparency.
In conclusion
This article offers a starting point for assessing and developing your company’s culture.
For more guidance, contact the HR specialists at Exceed Outsourcing.
Our Outsourced HR services can help you create a better working environment for your team, from the creation of HR policies and staff handbooks to annual HR audits.
References
2https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15206-company-culture-matters-to-workers.html
3https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7012-millennial-job-hopping.html
