Workplace Culture

Culture defines the character and personality of your workplace. It sets the values, attitudes, and expectations amongst your employees. A positive workplace culture increases work satisfaction, productivity, and helps retain talent.

It’s important for you to create and maintain a positive workplace culture to avoid divide amongst employees, high turnover rates, and in some cases, legal action.

In this guide, we’ll explain what workplace culture is, what makes a good workplace culture, and why workplace culture is important for your business.

What is Workplace Culture?

Workplace culture is the atmosphere that has developed in your workplace through the conduct, behaviour, and attitudes of you, your managers, and your employees.

Canadian workplace culture values colleagues who work together to understand different cultures.

It is often dictated by the employer through the company’s mission statements, their purpose, and the attitudes of the company.

Why is Workplace Culture Important?

Promoting a strong and positive workplace culture is important because it impacts happiness and satisfaction of employees and assists with increased work performance.

A positive workplace culture is the identity of your workplace and can be influenced by anything. Such as shareholders, workplace policies and practices, employees, and workplace environment.

Creating a positive workplace culture, especially one that promotes inclusivity and cultural diversity, will assist with retaining good employees and attracting talent.

What Makes a Good Culture in the Workplace?

There are many things that you can implement in your workplace to create a positive workplace culture. Positive workplace culture examples may include:

• Creating and updating practices, policies and procedures that promotive an inclusive workplace.
• Praising individual and team success.
• Creating a sense of purpose.
• Fostering social interaction amongst coworkers.
• Encouraging self-care and exercise.

By creating a positive workplace culture, you have a better chance of retaining well performing employees and increasing your business’ success.

What is Poor Workplace Culture?

It is important that you maintain a positive workplace culture. A poor workplace culture could lead to a decrease in work productivity, lack of teamwork, and in some cases, harassment or discrimination.

To prevent a poor workplace culture, here are some ways to identify if you have a toxic workplace culture and ways to address it:

High Turnover

If you are experiencing a high turnover of employees in your workplace, it may be the result of a poor workplace culture. It could a be a result of lack of communication, bullying, or even low team morale. Some employees may feel it is best to resign if the workplace culture is inadequate.

As an employer, you may wish to implement policies about providing feedback on workplace culture and how it can improve. You may also extend this to terminated employees. The more feedback you receive, the easier it will be for you to identify any issues within the workplace.

Disconnect Between Management and Employees

Some employees may find it difficult to approach managers about how to improve in their role. There may be a disconnect between management and employees. When employees do not know how to improve or identify ways to succeed in the company, they may look elsewhere. This may lead to some employees finding it difficult to approach management about daily tasks.

As an employer, it is important that you promote open communication between management and employees to uncover new ways to benefit the company. This may also assist with reducing employee turnover.

Gossip and Criticism

Jokes and laughs around the workplace helps with creating a positive workplace culture. However, if jokes become harmful such as making fun of other employees or gossiping, this could create a toxic workplace culture.

Harmful jokes, gossip, and even criticism may lead to a culture without trust and employee divide. If harmful jokes and gossip go unaddressed, it could be considered harassment under human rights legislation or health & safety legislation.

Employers must continually promote a healthy and inclusive workplace, free from harassment. You should never condone actions that would threaten the workplace culture. Moreover, employers must implement harassment policies and investigate incidents of harassment.

Lack of Culture Diversity in the Workplace

A lack of culture diversity in the workplace may lead to a disconnect amongst employees. Culture diversity encompasses a range of traits including race, ethnicity, age, nationality, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.

Lack of diversity in the workplace may lead to certain groups of individuals feeling marginalized at work. This may lead to individuals experiencing loneliness or isolation.

As an employer, it’s important to prioritize respect in the workplace towards other cultures. Moreover, you should consider implement training about culture diversity in the workplace. This can help your business grow internally, create a better public image of your.

How does Culture Influence Communication in the Workplace?

Communication between people of different cultures within the workplace may present challenges. The influence of culture in the workplace, or lack thereof, is often subtle but may create problems if not properly addressed. Understanding how culture can influence communication in the workplace can assist you in preventing negative outcomes.

Culture and cultural awareness can influence how we choose our words and phrases at work. It also influences what topics may be deemed appropriate for conversations within the workplace.

For example, it may be appropriate to discuss your religious views with your family, but it may not be appropriate to discuss with your coworkers.

Get Advice on how to promote a positive Workplace Culture with BrightHR

A positive workplace culture can fuel your workforce to reach the company’s full potential. It is important that you create and maintain a positive workplace culture.

If you need assistance with promoting a positive workplace culture or addressing a poor one, our BrightAdvice service allows you to receive quality advice on any employment issues you may have.

Contact us on 18882204924 or book a demo today.