Why Workplace Culture is Important

Why Workplace Culture is Important

By: Luisa De Jesus, CHRP, CHRL

Most people spend more time at work than they do at home. In fact, Canadians clock up
1,702 hours at work a year (HRD Magazine). As much as we try to “keep work at work”,
the reality is that despite our best efforts, oftentimes our work life trickles into our personal
life as well. Good days and bad, they follow us home. It’s for this reason that finding the
right fit when it comes to workplace culture is so important. In fact, many people value job
satisfaction over financial reward. Many choose to work in an environment where they
can enjoy their time, contribute and build relationships that add value to their lives. For
many of us, a sense of accomplishment achieved at work often guides our overall wellbeing.
If you’re a business owner, you know just how important it is to have a positive workplace
culture. You want to enjoy where you work and have the ability to choose the people with
whom you work, all while helping to achieve your company’s operational objectives and
grow. However, when the day-to-day operations take over, and you feel like it’s a constant
battle against time just putting out fires, the roadblocks can get overwhelming. What’s
worse, the hecticness of navigating these obstacles may be barring you from the
necessary face time your team needs to connect in a meaningful way. This can have
devastating impacts on your workplace culture.
It’s no secret that human resources is vital to every business, large and small. Your people
are your most valuable asset–your competitive edge. It’s what sets you apart from your
competitors. HR is not just about hiring and firing. It’s about culture, accountability,
performance management, job fulfilment and having the right people in the right roles to
meet your organization’s business objectives. Of course, HR also involves selecting the
right candidates to welcome into your team, and at times, showing one or two the
exit. There are also legislative and legal requirements that all businesses need to comply
with, and it can be hard to keep up with the changes that occur.
Human Resources is at the core of creating a positive workplace culture. From carefully
recruiting applicants who will embrace the organization’s values, to developing tailored
onboarding and performance management solutions that embody the organization's
attitudes and beliefs, HR plays a critical role. When an organization is able to attain a
welcoming, inclusive and engaging workplace culture, its business thrives. It attracts and
retains top talent, increases job satisfaction and impacts employee performance. In
addition, COVID-19 and remote working has made managing productivity a major
concern for many employers. Having a positive workplace culture created by a strong HR
foundation can make work more enjoyable, indirectly increasing productivity.
Human Resources is embedded in everyday interaction, but some companies may not
need a full time HR professional. Whether you have a burning HR issue or would like to
do an HR “check-up” to identify gaps and opportunities to improve your workplace, LD
Human Resources can help guide you with the right solution. Contact us today for a free
consultation.