Find out why workplace culture is important and how you can ensure you choose the right company culture with our ultimate guide.

According to a 2018 report by BreatheHR on workplace culture, a third of British employees quit their jobs due to poor workplace culture. As a result, it’s costing the UK economy £23.6 billion a year! Thus, it’s no surprise that employee communications platform Speakap revealed 87% of organisations cite culture and engagement as a top priority.

Company culture impacts your overall happiness, it’s therefore critical to choose one that’s right for you. A huge pay rise might make you happy in the short-term but it’s the company culture that will determine your future satisfaction.

Having a Manager that doesn’t suit your way of working can affect your career and self-confidence. As the Internal Recruiter for ASC, I regularly have conversations with people who aren’t happy with the way they are being managed. Understanding how they like to be managed in the first place may have prevented this from happening.

It not only supports you to answer this question in an interview, it ensures you are working under a Manager that gives you what you need to develop.

Our guide aims to help you understand:

1. What workplace culture is
2. Why it is important to your success
3. Different types of workplace cultures
4. How to determine what business culture is best for you
5. Ways to find out about a company’s workplace culture

What the Heck is Workplace Culture?

Firstly, let’s take a look at what workplace culture actually is.

The Management Study Guide (an online education portal providing topics on management) define company culture as:

The beliefs, thought processes and attitudes of employees and ideologies and principles of the organisation

Essentially, it’s the personality of the organisation combined with the behaviour and attitudes of the people within the business that determine the workplace environment that is experienced.

Without a doubt, a positive workplace culture increases productivity and efficiency and improves retention of the workforce. Therefore, Job satisfaction, collaboration, and work performance are all enhanced. Above all, a positive work place environment reduces stress in employees.

Whereas a toxic workplace culture causes dishonesty and distrust amongst employees and between management and lower-level staff. A higher turnover of staff is often seen in these types of cultures due to lack of communication, engagement and accountability.

So, why is it important for you?

We spend more time at work than we do at home for most of our lives. Therefore, you need to be happy where you work as happiness is the key to success.

Hence, working at a company that doesn’t align with your own morals, needs and values can impact on your wellbeing. In turn, this will influence your personal life, at the end of the day, you can’t just switch happiness on when you get home.

For that reason, the culture of a company is more important to consider than anything else like big salaries, pensions, healthcare or any type of employee perks. In addition, a culture that makes you happy enables you to do your best work, perform better and develop your career at a faster rate.

Workplace Culture Types

It’s important to remember, different types of cultures suit different ways of working. What might make one person really happy at work, might make another very de-motivated. These 4 types of culture are a good place to start understanding what might work best for you.

1 COLLABORATIVE CULTURE

In this case, the culture encourages collaboration and inclusion. It’s all about working as a team to meet the wider company goals. This type of company sees employees as family, tackling big decisions together and putting time aside to bond.

This type of culture might be good for you if: building working relationships motivates you to do well and you like to socialise with work.

2 INNOVATIVE CULTURE

Different from collaborative, companies that want to make waves in their industry through innovation adopt this style, think, Google and Apple. Employees in this culture think outside the box and constantly challenge the status quo. However, they are expected to put in the hours to achieve the company’s high growth strategy. It’s high pressure but high reward.

Good for you if: You are happy to work longer hours for a higher reward and work well under pressure.

3 FLAT CULTURE

The name does not mean it is a boring place to work. Instead, the focus is on equality. No employee is seen as having any more privileges than anyone else. From the CEO to the Junior Admin Assistant. However, this also means employees are expected to come outside their normal role duties to help the business when required. It’s a very hands-on culture but you do have a say in how the business moves forward. You are also unlikely to experience micro-management in this type of culture.

Good for you if: you like to work under minimal supervision, want your suggestions taken on board and acted upon and can see your work is making a real difference.

4 TRADITIONAL CULTURE

A working culture that has been around since the 1900s. It has a clear management hierarchy with strict guidelines and processes for employees. The company will focus on the profits made and doesn’t take too many risks.

Good for you if: you like a clear working structure, lines of decision making and accountability.

How to determine what workplace culture is best for you

In order to find out which culture would be best, you first need to understand your own personal values and beliefs.

To put it another way, what you stand for in everyday life will affect the decisions you make daily. For example, if you are very conscious about the environment, you may check if products are eco-friendly when you’re out shopping. Meaning you’re choosing certain brands over others depending on your personal preferences. The same applies when choosing a place to work; you like to be managed, the noise level or the support you need will all have an impact on your success.

The best way to work out your personal values is to ask yourself the following and write down the answers:

1. What makes me happy?
2. What would I want to change in the world?
3. What’s important to me?
4. What are my ultimate career and personal goals right now?
5. Put in order of importance for you: customers, employees, profits
6. Once you have these answers, then consider the traits a company would need to align with your own personal beliefs and values.

Examples include:

• High pressure
• Flexibility
• Employee wellbeing focus
• Relaxed atmosphere
• Collaboration
• Innovative
• Support and feedback
• Development
• Employee investment

Ways you can review a company’s workplace culture

Firstly take a look at their website and social media pages. Particularly see if they have a clear set of values and goals. Then, ask yourself do they align with yours? How does the way they come across online make you feel? Is it approachable and welcoming or cold and too corporate?

Secondly, find reviews from past and present employees from websites like Glassdoor. This will enable you to understand if what they claim to be is a reality. Don’t forget to also look at reviews on Google and sites like Trust Pilot, this will allow you to see how they treat their customers and again if they are acting as they say they do.

COMMUNICATION

Whether you apply for the job or you’re approached by the company, take note of how you are communicated to verbally and in writing. For example, how do they sign off on emails, do they answer your questions when you ask or how long do they take to get back to you?

AT YOUR INTERVIEW

If you are successful in securing an interview and everything related to their culture so far looks good, this is the final test.

When you arrive, how are you treated? This includes everyone you come into contact with from the receptionist to employees who may pass by you. If they are rude to you or aren’t expecting you, this could be a warning sign about the overall culture of the company.

Additionally, if possible get a feel for the office or place where everyone works. For instance, what does the atmosphere feel like? Is it buzzing or really quiet? What is better for you? If you prefer an upbeat atmosphere, a quiet office might not be right for you.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions to determine if the culture is a good fit. It is just as much about you interviewing them as it is about them interviewing you. Possible questions to ask include:

• What are your long term plans for the company?
• What is their vision as a company? (if you couldn’t find them beforehand)
• What do they value in employees?
• What is their organisational structure?
• As a business what is their number one priority?
• How do they promote health and wellbeing in the workplace?

Whatever stage you are at in your profession, choosing a company that fits with your personality and allows you to achieve in your career (and ultimately your personal aspirations) is crucial to your overall wellbeing and happiness.

By following our guide, you should gain a good understanding of what to consider and how to review your current and future workplace culture.

What Next?

If you’re looking for a workplace culture that is better suited to you, register your details and a consultant will contact you to discuss what you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for a new role within recruitment, contact Marie for an informal chat.

Marie Weston