Why Company Culture is Important in the Workplace

employee_wellnessCompany culture refers to the personality and character of a company. It defines the type of environment staff work in and can encapsulate a number of elements, from work environment and company mission to the values and ethics that uphold the business.

When it comes to managing employees, taking the culture into account is vital as it can impact employee participation enormously. Some companies take on a more traditional and formal management style, while others are more casual.

Why does Company Culture Matter?

Making sure your employees enjoy their time at work is important not just for engagement and general mood but also for productivity. Employees tend to enjoy working for businesses where their needs and values match up with those in the workplace, leading to better relationships with colleagues and greater productivity. In a business where the culture is clearly defined, promotions and transfers may be more complex while at a casual workplace, staff often have the chance to take on new responsibilities and work on different projects.

How to Learn about the Culture of a Business

When you’re looking for a new position, it’s important to find jobs where you would fit in with the culture. Jobs are much more than just a pay cheque, so they need to be fulfilling and rewarding for the individual. Given the amount of time we spend at work, it’s vital that we’re happy with what we do each day. Before you accept a job, it’s key to know whether you’ll be a good fit for the company and that the company aligns with you too. But that can be difficult to know what the company culture is like before you start working somewhere. Here are some tips on how to assess whether you’re the right fit for a company:

Check the company website and, in particular, check out the ‘About Us’ page as this often lists the company’s values and mission. It may even have testimonials from employees so you can learn about the culture from those who have experienced it first-hand.

Researching beyond the company website is also a good idea, as there are numerous resources online such as Glassdoor or Entrepreneur which often provide reviews from current or previous employees, or lists of the companies with the best company culture.

If you know someone who works for a company you’re interested in working for, you could also ask to set up an informational interview to learn about how the company operates and the values it upholds. LinkedIn is a good place to see whether you have mutual connections with a business – alternatively, check with your careers service or alumni office at your university to see if they have contacts.

When you gain an interview for a job, the employer will likely ask you if you have any questions for them. This is a great opportunity to ask about the company culture and to learn about the environment to see whether it’s something you’re interested in. There are key questions to include to assess this, such as the amount of independent work you’ll be expected to do compared to team projects, the day to day schedule for your position or how employee engagement is managed and encouraged.

Finally, shadowing an employee is a great way to see how you would fit in with the business. If you’re unsure after being offered the position whether it would work well for you, you can ask to shadow someone in the department for a few hours beforehand to see the office dynamics in action and give you the opportunity to ask any remaining questions you might have.

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