It involves intricate interaction of values, behaviours and organisational dynamics
The majority of the population spends a significant portion of their life at work which highlights the fact that our workplace environment is critical to us. Culture is the way an individual interacts with others that results in work processes. We don’t always see culture except for the physical surroundings. The work culture ethic rests upon delayed gratification, hyper-competitiveness and the perpetual need to outperform what machines can do. An organisation’s culture includes the life experiences of its employees and is influenced by the organisational executives and those involved in the decision-making process. In layman’s terms, workplace culture or workplace environment is a process because of how people learn. Employees learn to perform behaviours through a system of rewards or consequences, so it forms the work culture.
Creating a positive workplace environment requires attention to the physical, social, and cultural factors that influence employee experiences and satisfaction. By prioritising employee well-being and fostering a supportive and inclusive culture, organisations can create a workplace environment where employees thrive and contribute to the success of the business. Recognition and reward systems can impact employee morale and motivation to a large extent. Recognising employees for their contributions and providing opportunities for advancement and development contributes to a positive workplace environment and if it becomes a standard and repeated behaviour by the managers, then it becomes a part of the culture.
Today, organisations supporting work-life balance provide employees with flexibility and resources to manage their personal and professional lives. This may include flexible working hours, remote work options and policies that encourage employees to take time off when needed. Factors such as lighting, temperature, noise levels, ergonomic furniture, and providing employees with up-to-date technology and the right tools for their tasks impact not only employee comfort but also increase the productivity and morale of the organisation. A positive work culture fosters employee engagement, where employees are emotionally committed to their work . Above all the most crucial role is the behaviour and actions of leaders and managers that influence the workplace environment at large.
Effective leadership that communicates openly, provides feedback and supports employee development can create a positive and empowering work environment while on the contrary, Negative work culture can manifest in various ways, leading to dissatisfaction, stress and decreased productivity among employees. When leaders exhibit toxic behaviours such as micromanagement, favouritism or lack of transparency, it creates a culture of fear and distrust among employees. When there is a lack of communication or when the information is not shared transparently, rumours and gossip spread, further eroding trust. This leads to employees feeling undervalued, unappreciated or unsupported resulting in resignation or the term which is nowadays widely in use ‘Quiet Quitting’. Studies have found that engaged employees are often proven to be more productive, creative and motivated to contribute to the success of the company which shows that the workplace environment encompasses the physical, social and psychological aspects of the work setting that influence employee experience and well-being. It includes everything from the layout and design of the office space to the relationships between colleagues and the organisational culture.
Remember, a good salary motivates you once a month, but a good work culture does the same every single day. The values, norms and practices that define the organisational culture shape the workplace environment. A culture that values transparency, trust, and respect fosters employee engagement and satisfaction.
(The writer is an educator; views are personal)
