In an increasingly competitive world, many businesses are looking at their work cultures to try and attract and retain staff as a progressive company.
From tackling issues such as imposter syndrome and flexible working to issues such as pay, this article looks to explain what the benefits of strong company culture are, and how you can work towards this vision.
What makes people leave their jobs?
2022 saw a large wave of employees packing their bags and handing in their job resignations. Coined the ‘Great Resignation’, employees have been handing in their notices and looking for work elsewhere in virtually every sector, from banking to hospitality.
But what makes people hand in their notices?
Firstly, there’s the issue of remote working. Since many employees have gotten used to working remotely, when companies transition away from this work model, many employees decide to look elsewhere to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
Secondly, there’s the issue of culture. Nowadays, employees are tired of workplace cultures that either lack a strong sense of identity or don’t feel inclusive.
According to Candice Eaton Gaul, Diversity and Inclusion Leader at RSM Global, “culture is a critical contributor and enabler of business success and sustainable development”, so those who fail to look inwards at their culture will be left behind.
Lastly, there’s the issue of pay. With inflation reaching a 40-year peak, if employees’ salaries do not keep up, many workers will look elsewhere.
How to create a strong work culture to help you retain employees
If you’re worried about staff retention, the good news is that you can start to improve your company culture today. Here’s how:
Work towards inclusion
One way to improve your culture is by acknowledging and accepting different cultures. By opening lines of communication and creating opportunities for people of all kinds of different backgrounds, you can create a diverse workforce that your employees want to stay for.
Encourage open dialogue
According to Diversity and Inclusion expert, Candice Eaton Gaul, dialogue is crucial when it comes to developing a positive work culture. By opening lines of communication, you can quickly nip any assumptions, misunderstandings, or frustrations in the bud, before they take hold of the company.
Whether you choose to do this formally or informally, dialogue is crucial if you’re to develop a high-performing business with multi-cultural teams.
Make things personal
Finally, it’s important to make things personal. By building strong employee relationships, you can begin to shape your culture.
For example, leaders play a crucial role in the development of company culture, so by encouraging leaders to engage with their employees and connect on a personal level, employees begin to feel more connected.
And when employees feel connected to leadership, this contributes to strong workplace culture.
Final thoughts
Although building a strong workplace culture is no mean feat, it’s essential if you’re going to retain your valued staff and build a strong reputation in the industry. Yet by simply offering opportunities for all and connecting with employees on a deeper level, you can begin to curate a culture that you can be proud of.
