workplace culture
What is workplace culture?
Workplace culture is often hard to define. I like to think of it as the personality of an organisation. It is built through vision, values, practices, language, image, actions and beliefs. It is sometimes an unwritten code of how things are done. It impacts how you work, how you act and what is acceptable or normal.
Workplace culture touches everything from branding to strategic planning and staffing. I like Shawn Parr’s points (CEO of Bulldog Drummond – an innovation and design consultancy in San Diego) on how a vibrant workplace culture impacts all aspects of an organisation:
- Focus: Aligns the entire company towards achieving its vision, mission, and goals.
- Motivation: Builds higher employee motivation and loyalty.
- Connection: Builds team cohesiveness among the company’s various departments and divisions.
- Cohesion: Builds consistency and encourages coordination and control within the company.
- Spirit: Shapes employee behavior at work, enabling the organisation to be more efficient and alive.
Your workplace culture
What are the attributes of your workplace culture? Do they shine through everything you do and communicate? Is your workplace culture obvious to both outsiders and internal staff? For example, Google has a reputation for creativity, amazing staff opportunities and perks, and for being the best at what they do. I can easily imagine working there and becoming a part of the Google family, where my valuable contribution to the company is both appreciated and rewarded. It is appealing, even for a non-tech minded individual like myself (see what Google actually offer their staff here). Fortunately I have the same appreciation in my current job although our workplace culture is different.
Your workplace culture will express itself in a variety of traits, all contributing to the whole. If like Google, your company is creative, you might provide creative spaces to work and relax, allow staff to bring their dog to the office, reward staff with massage credits, or time to devote to a ‘passion project’. You may have a relaxed dress code and offer opportunities to foster creativity by having an open door policy or a dedicated ‘think tank room’.
If your organisation prides itself on being family friendly, you might provide flexible working hours, additional parental leave or even sick days for when your pet is sick. There may be more focus on team building, support for training and development and an avoidance of late-night and weekend working.
What does your workplace culture say about your organisation?
Would it be interesting to listen to one of your colleagues describe working at your organisation to a friend or family member? Do you know what they would say? Research suggests some of the top workplace culture traits employees’ value are:
- Transparent company values and mission
- The freedom for employees to contribute to, and make, decisions that impact the company
- A team environment
- Transparent and open communication
- Flexibility to create work-life balance with a reasonable number of working hours per day and per week
- Employee recognition for achievements
- An office environment that reflects company values i.e. modern, creative and open plan office spaces = fresh thinking, creative employees and ‘open door’ communication
- Sensitivity to cultural diversity i.e. holidays, celebrations, dress, beliefs and practices are considered and respected
- Relevant and beneficial job perks
- Training and skill development opportunities.
What becomes normal or expected in your organisation will be vastly different to your neighbours, or even your competitors. Workplace culture is a point of difference that doesn’t go unnoticed with staff or potential staff. Be sure that your organisation is fostering a workplace culture that brings company values to life, is relevant, and enhances staff, the product/service offered, company practices, image and language.
What does your workplace culture say about your organisation?
Posted by Chantell Bramley.
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