Is Corporate Culture on Your Mind?

Focus on Corporate Culture
A positive corporate culture with good employee relationships

It is 2019 and job seekers have corporate culture on their minds. If you are wondering what corporate culture is, this article by Inc.com describes it this way: “Corporate culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that characterize members of an organization and define its nature. Corporate culture is rooted in an organization’s goals, strategies, structure, and approaches to labor, customers, investors, and the greater community.

To better understand this concept, let’s look at six major areas that contribute to the corporate culture of most businesses.

6 Defining Areas of Corporate Culture

  1. Work/Life balance is trending high in the US right now. People are more conscious than ever about how much time they spend at work versus time pursuing personal interests. This heightened awareness often leads them to look for job opportunities with companies that respect their employees’ personal lives and need for time outside of work to spend with family and friends, pursue hobbies, volunteer for charitable organizations, etc.
  2. Remote work options are becoming more and more popular, especially in conjunction with that work/life balance. Eliminating the time and expense of a commute, accommodating flexible work hours, and removing the need for relocation are all tangible benefits to employees. When companies are willing and able to think outside the box of the traditional office setting, they will attract a much wider candidate pool and likely see an increase in employee retention.
  3. The value placed on employees is a crucial element of a positive corporate culture. People are looking for companies where they will be appreciated, recognized, heard, and have room to grow professionally. Listening to feedback and implementing new ideas that employees have suggested are key opportunities to show them that they are valuable members of the organization.
  4. Personal and professional development is another area that’s becoming a priority for many workers. This focus has skyrocketed in the last few years, and candidates are watching for their employers or potential employers to prioritize it. Promoting workshop or conference attendance, encouraging continuing education, and offering reimbursement for additional secondary or professional degrees and certifications are all great ways for companies to invest in their employees’ career growth, mutually beneficially to both parties.
  5. Paid Time Off or PTO has become one of the chief points of interest for potential employees. Studies show that people who take vacations and have sufficient time off from work are generally more satisfied with life, which usually translates to greater productivity in the workplace. Offering a generous amount of PTO, along with flexibility in its use, is a strong sign of the value an organization places on its employees and, once again, tends to improve employee satisfaction and retention.
  6. Meaningful social responsibility is now something many job seekers consider when looking to join a new company. Having opportunities to give back to the community and get involved in community events is not only rewarding for the employees who participate, but it also makes them proud of their company’s values and culture.

When it comes to attracting new talent to an organization, it’s important to note that while compensation packages are important, they are not the sole motivation for candidates in the workplace. As corporate culture continues to grow in importance as a factor in career moves, it’s crucial for companies to ensure that their culture will attract and retain good employees. If you are a job seeker, we recommend that you think through what is important to you in these areas, to thoroughly research potential employers’ company cultures, and to ask specific questions during interviews in order to find the best fit for your next career move.