4 ways to build a strong workplace culture
What do you think the top priorities are for job seekers? A huge salary? A short commute? An easy job?
The answer is all of the above. However, another must-have for job seekers in the current climate is a strong workplace culture.
What do we mean by ‘workplace culture’?
In a nutshell, ‘workplace culture’ is as a ‘mixture of an organisation’s leadership, values, beliefs, relationships, attitudes and behaviours’.
Why is workplace culture important?
A recent Glassdoor study found that ‘56% of workers rank a strong workplace culture as more important than salary, with three-in-four workers saying they’d consider a company’s culture before applying for a job.’
This tells us that a strong workplace culture isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’. It’s integral to attracting talent.
With this in mind, here are four things you can do to build a strong workplace culture.
1. Focus on employee’s mental health
80% of leaders identified mental health as ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to their organisation’s success in the 2021 Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends study.
So, what can you do to support your staff’s mental health?
Make sure they know your door is always open for a chat.
That said, some people may not want to discuss concerns with a manager. They might feel more comfortable speaking to a counsellor. You can arrange this through an organisation such as Perkbox.
Organise mental health awareness training/workshops
Offer flexible working and/or remote working to give staff a better work-life balance. This will make them feel supported and valued.
2. Optimise the work environment
The physical workspace can have an impact on employee morale, relationships, and productivity.
Different people work best in different spaces. So, provide a range of options A mixture of open plan, breakout areas, and private spaces will enable employees to choose where they work, based on their preference and the needs of the project.
3. Create strong lines of communication
Modern technology has made it easier than ever to communicate at lightning speed.
More than 269 billion emails are sent each day globally and workforces are increasingly relying on online communication tools like WhatsApp, Slack, and Zoom.
However, too much choice isn’t always a good thing.
Messages can get missed. In fact, research has shown that employees only open 24% of their emails.
Poor communication can negatively impact every aspect of your charity, from employee retention, and customer service, to productivity and morale.
As such, it’s crucial to think about how you communicate with employees.
A few suggestions:
Keep employees engaged by implementing organisation-wide monthly catch-ups, where you highlight successes and share financial progress.
Emphasise face-to-face communication. Nothing beats human interaction.
Ensure your managers are trained to communicate and provide the necessary tools needed to succeed (i.e. handouts/presentations)
4. Take the Breathe Culture Pledge
This is a commitment you can make towards investing in your workplace culture. It’s a promise to put your people first, invest in their success, and supercharge employee engagement.
Looking to fill an upcoming role? Give us a call on 0203 750 3111 to find out how we can help.