Fixing a Poor Workplace Culture
A great workplace culture can drive productivity, improve safety, and increase retention. On the other side of the coin, a toxic workplace is characterized by the following:
- Frequent conflicts among employees
- Friction between workers and management
- Lack of communication
- Negative employee attitudes
- Tense work atmosphere
- High turnover
- Decreasing performance levels
Does any of that sound familiar? If so, you aren’t alone. Many employers have landed in the same boat—and successfully repaired their company culture.
A toxic workplace culture won’t fix itself, but with effort and attention, it can be transformed into a place where employees feel supported, inspired, and engaged.
Here’s how to fix a broken culture:
Encourage meaningful communication.
While leadership might think they know why their company culture is suffering, there’s an even better chance that the employees understand the source of the problems. An anonymous survey or another method of gathering feedback might point leaders in the right direction. Turning around a poor workplace culture starts with open, honest, and transparent discussions about what isn’t working. Create a safe space for communication, and keep the door open for employees to ask questions or express concerns without fear of reprisal.
Uphold organizational values.
Before you can build a great company culture, you must first understand the organization’s mission, vision, and values—and communicate them to employees effectively. Your core values will unify the team, provide positive direction, and help you attract like-minded employees, further improving your culture.
Show appreciation.
If your hardworking employees don’t feel like their work is valued, they may become resentful and disengaged. Supervisors have a tremendous impact on workplace morale, and showing appreciation and gratitude can go a long way toward creating a positive workplace culture.
Hire for culture.
Hire for more than skills and experience. Evaluate job seekers’ attitudes and cultural fit before making hiring decisions. Skills can be taught, but it’s far more challenging to instill character and values. By actively seeking out people who align with organizational values, you will decrease turnover and maintain a positive workplace culture.
Stay vigilant.
Once your culture is headed in a positive direction, keep it that way. Maintain open lines of communication and check in with employees to gauge the health of your culture. Change happens over time. It may take a while to see results, but with consistent effort, your company will become a positive, productive environment with happier, more engaged employees.
Looking for loyal, hardworking talent?
Pridestaff can deliver great people with the skills, experience, and attitude to positively impact your organization. Contact your local PrideStaff office today to learn more about how we can help you build a great culture.
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