4 Tips to Develop a Culture That Aligns With Your Values

Establishing a strong company culture begins with connecting your employees to your organization’s values, purpose, and vision. Employees want to work for organizations that align with their beliefs, invest in their career development, and support them.

For instance, 89 percent of workers are more likely to recommend their company as a good place to work if their company prioritizes their wellbeing. This kind of employee feedback can directly impact your company’s reputation in the job market.

So what can HR do to develop a company culture that represents positive values?

Here are 4 tips:

1. Evaluate Your Company Values

In today’s competitive job market, the companies that are attracting top talent have a clear set of values that help guide employee expectations and behavior. For example, given the rise in employee activism in recent years, many employers have redefined their values when taking a stance on social justice issues that impact their employee population. 

Revisit your company values and determine whether they still hold true in the current social and economic climate. Do your values feel authentic? How are you supporting your employees, and what more can you do? Asking yourself these types of questions will help you reevaluate your values and positively impact your employees’ productivity and engagement.

2. Prioritize Employee Satisfaction

To keep your employees satisfied and motivated, you need to ensure that they feel supported on a daily basis. Check in with them to see how projects are going and whether deadlines and due dates are feasible. Make sure they have the proper tools, equipment, and resources to do their job effectively. 

Encourage career inspiration by discussing opportunities for professional development and goal setting. This will help employees think beyond their immediate role and understand how their contributions impact the company’s long-term growth. 

As you implement more ways to increase engagement in the workplace, you can measure improvements in employee satisfaction through employee eNPS surveys.

3. Reward Employees

From incentive programs to peer appreciation, rewarding and recognizing your employees can help improve morale. In fact, 82 percent of employees report feeling happier when they’re recognized at work.

Employee rewards can take on many forms, including gift cards, vouchers, company swag, or a curated experience. These rewards let employees know what behavior is valued and keeps them connected to the company’s goals and values. It also gives them a sense of purpose and encourages them to learn, experiment, and collaborate.

4. Create an Inclusive Environment

To develop an inclusive workplace, you must ensure that employees from all backgrounds are respected, valued, and have equal access to opportunity—in terms of both their talents and perspectives. Take action to attract, hire, and retain diverse talent, while making sure your workplace is a welcoming environment to everyone and anyone.

From establishing ERGs, to hosting panels and educational sessions for employees, look for ways to incorporate inclusivity in your organization’s culture. This will build trust, communication, and creativity within your workforce, as employees will feel more confident sharing their ideas in a safe space.

Maintaining a positive work culture is a key component of engaging and retaining your employees. To learn how else you can revamp your retention strategies, check out our eBook.