Creating a positive workplace is essential for employee engagement, productivity, and performance. These factors strengthen collaboration, employee morale, and attraction and retention rates.
Research from the MIT Sloan School of Management identified 10 elements of company culture that employees care about most and contribute to a positive workplace:
- Attractive employee benefits and perks
- Professional development opportunities
- Job security
- Supportive leadership
- Alignment between leaders’ actions and company core values
- Manager support for a positive work environment
- Ethical employee behavior
- Feelings of respect
Characteristics of a Positive Workplace
Respondents to Quantum Workplace’s 2022 Organizational Culture Research Report used the following words to describe a positive workplace:
- Inclusive
- Flexible
- Friendly
- Collaborative
The report found that:
- 84% of respondents reported feeling highly engaged in a positive workplace.
- 66% said their company’s culture positively impacts their work and behavior.
- 60% of disengaged employees stated they would leave their company for a more positive workplace.
Methods for Leaders to Create a More Positive Workplace
Leaders can use the following methods to create a more positive workplace:
Prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion
Welcome and celebrate employees with diverse backgrounds. Their unique ideas, experiences, and perspectives contribute to innovation.
Provide customized professional development opportunities for each employee. Filling their unique needs supports career growth.
Show that all employees are valued, respected members of your workforce. For instance, implement employee resource groups (ERGs) relevant to employee needs.
Provide flexibility
Offer remote or hybrid work arrangements, a flexible schedule, and generous paid time off (PTO). Supporting work-life integration helps lower employee stress and the likelihood of burnout.
Encourage idea sharing
Engage in weekly brainstorming sessions to solve company problems. Let employees develop and implement the ideas with the most potential. These activities encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation.
Request employee feedback
Provide employee surveys requesting constructive feedback on company issues. Implement the most effective suggestions.
Recognize and reward employees
Acknowledge specific employee accomplishments and their impact on the organization. Provide a bonus, pay increase, promotion, or other reward when appropriate.
Would You Like Help with Hiring?
Are you looking for more all-stars to add to your scientific or technical team? Element Staffing is ready to match you with the talent you’ve been missing.
