Workplace Culture

Workplace Culture

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
How Healthy is Your Workplace Culture?  Ok you're busy, things seem to be going ok in the business and there doesn't seem to be any complaints from your employees, but what is really going on beneath all of this? Yes, several employees have left the organization during the last year, sick days are on the increase, but surely that's normal?  Now might be the time to do a health check on your workplace culture. How positive is it? Not just a fluffy concept or a couple of buzz words, workplace culture really matters.  Importantly, it can affect your bottom line, so this alone should make it rise up the list of your priorities.

 

To examine workplace culture you need to look at several aspects:

 

Recruitment 

Hire the right people.  Take time with your recruitment process and remember you can teach someone to perform a task, but can't teach them a positive attitude.  Subtly ask for this attribute in the position advertising and test it with some well-considered questions at interview.  Ensure for each successful candidate their optimistic attitude shines through.

 

Train

Once you have found the right candidate, take time to train and develop them on an ongoing basis. They will feel empowered and in turn carry out their duties efficiently.  They will also be a great asset to call upon for when new employees commence and you will be able to promote from within the organisation.

 

Gratitude

Employees rank appreciation as their number one issue in the workplace. Ensure staff know the organisation values its people.  Make sure you acknowledge their work and be grateful.  This can be at the time as a thank you for completing work so quickly, or depending on the achievement, making a formal announcement at the staff meeting.  If a fantastic achievement, maybe a reward is warranted – going home early on Friday or an afternoon off?  (We discuss employee reward schemes in a future article)

 

Communication

Done well, everyone knows what is going on and why, if not rumour and gossip can take over. Communication is particularly important during change management when staff may be feeling insecure. Don't just send off a group email, call everyone together, so you can answer their questions and address any fears.

 

Be Flexible

If someone needs to step out to attend their child's award ceremony at school, let them go.  They can always make up the time before or after work.  Besides their appreciation, it's a whole lot better than facing an unproductive sick day.

 

Respect

Ensure your workplace is an environment based on respect.  All of the staff's ideas and opinions are heard, no one is allowed to speak over each other and definitely there are no raised voices or swearing tolerated.  Yes, depending on the Agricultural workplace setting swearing might be the norm, but it's the intent that's important.  No one should be allowed to swear at anyone in order to demean or denigrate them.  You'll need to lead by example on this and guide any objectionable behaviour. 

 

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