A work environment can heavily influence employee behaviour and their attitude towards the company they work for. Employers have long been aware that having a committed and content workforce boosts productivity, retains talent, and plays an important role in attracting new employees.
Developing a healthy workplace culture is therefore to the advantage of both employers and their workforces. In recent research conducted by Westfield Health, 2,000 workers across the UK were questioned about the effect that workplace culture had on their job and life experience.
The research findings included the following statistics:
86% felt they were more productive in a healthy workplace environment
85% believed there was a link between their workplace culture and their personal wellbeing
64% said they would leave their job if the workplace culture didn’t suit them.
Before discussing what constitutes a healthy workplace culture and its benefits, let’s look at the difference between workplace culture and company culture.
What is the difference between workplace culture and company culture?
While workplace culture and company culture are intrinsically linked, they are not the same. Let’s look at a basic definition of each term and how they differ from each other.
Company culture refers to the overall values, beliefs, and behaviours of an entire business. It encompasses the shared mission, vision, and core principles that guide the organisation. Company culture is generally created at top management level and filtered down by example, procedures, and best practice.
Workplace culture refers to the practices and atmosphere that exist within a particular work site or department of a business. It includes the norms, values, and behaviours that are specific to that work environment. It may be influenced by team dynamics, leadership style, the physical work environment, or the way that staff members interact with each other. Workplace culture may therefore be different between the office locations or departments of a business and adhere to the company culture in varying degrees.
What are the key characteristics of a healthy workplace culture?
Here are the top five characteristics of a healthy workplace culture. While there may be some overlap with the characteristics of company culture, these key factors contribute to a positive workplace culture within a specific team or department.
Collaboration and teamwork
A healthy workplace culture encourages employees to work together, share their knowledge, and support one another. It fosters an environment of co-operation and encourages cross-functional/departmental/team collaboration.
Trust and respect
Trust and respect are the building blocks of a healthy workplace culture. Trust is built through open communication, transparency, and mutual respect among colleagues. Employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas, opinions, and concerns without being afraid of judgment or retribution.
Empowerment
In a healthy workplace culture, employees experience a sense of ownership and autonomy over their work. They are encouraged to take the initiative, make decisions, and contribute to the company’s success. This autonomy is balanced with clear expectations and support from managers.
Recognition
Showing recognition and appreciation of employee contributions is crucial to maintaining a healthy workplace culture. Modern employment recognition programs can be an effective way to reinforce this. Regular feedback helps employees to feel valued and motivated. Celebrating achievements, acknowledging hard work, and expressing gratitude create a positive and motivating work environment.
Work life balance
Promoting a healthy work life balance is not only a key characteristic of a healthy workplace culture, but also an important sign of supportive leadership. Encouraging reasonable work hours, providing flexibility, and supporting personal wellbeing prevents burnout, enhances job satisfaction, and improves levels of communication.
What are the benefits of a healthy workplace culture?
A healthy workplace culture offers benefits to both workers and their employers. Here are the top five.
Reduced staff turnover
Employees working in a positive environment are less likely to look for a job elsewhere. When employees feel valued, respected, and have opportunities for growth and development, they are happier to stay in their current role or seek new opportunities within the same company. This reduces recruitment and training costs and helps retains knowledge and talent.
Enhanced employee wellbeing
A healthy workplace culture prioritises employee wellbeing. It supports work-life balance, provides resources for stress management, and promotes a positive work environment. This results in reduced stress levels, increased job satisfaction, and better overall wellbeing and health among employees. A healthier, engaged workforce also means less workdays lost to sickness and stress.
Increased employee engagement
A healthy workplace culture creates higher levels of employee engagement. Engaged employees are more loyal to their employer, open to learning, innovative, and motivated to contribute to the business’s success. They go above and beyond their job requirements and are more likely to stay with their current employer.
Improved productivity and performance
A healthy workplace culture directly impacts corporate productivity and employee performance. When employees feel supported, empowered, and valued, they are more driven to do their best at work. The resulting motivation and enthusiasm lead to increased productivity, higher quality performance, and a more efficient work environment.
Positive corporate reputation
A healthy workplace culture contributes to an improved corporate reputation, both internally and externally. Satisfied employees become brand ambassadors, speaking positively about the company they work for and attracting top talent. A healthy workplace culture is also an attractive selling point for potential clients and investors who want to work with businesses that prioritise their employees’ wellbeing.
Wrapping it up
A healthy workplace culture provides an environment where employees feel safe, respected, and motivated to contribute to the business’s success. It provides benefits for both employers and their workforce alike, encourages innovation and high levels of performance and productivity, and enhances an employer’s corporate image in the eyes of clients, investors, and job candidates.
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