What makes a company a great workplace
This is a piece by www.wearelaika.com, a platform for matching Tech professionals with companies. Check out more content here.
On your career path, you are very likely to change multiple jobs and with that, different work environments. You will grow as both a professional and a person, and meet different people and organizations. But one thing is for sure — you will understand the impact company culture and work environments have on your life.
Another thing you will learn is that no matter how much money you earn, if you don’t feel satisfied with your workplace it’s not worth it. The company culture, the opportunities to grow career-wise and the work environment, all play a major role in your overall job satisfaction.
It looks like nowadays, it’s easier to detect bad companies than great ones. For example, a Bloomberg article says that five vice presidents who left Snapchat looked like “lobsters escaping a steamy death.” If the vice presidents didn’t like it that much, imagine how other employees feel.
Uber and Amazon also appear often when it comes to “not-so-good” places to work at. It looks like a high salary and a big name attract employees, but can’t retain them.
Let’s face it — there is no company where employees are completely satisfied. People are different and they like different things. For some, a company could be the best place to work at. For others, that same company could be hell. There are always things to complain about, and even people who are happiest with their jobs can’t wait for the vacation to come.
Designing solely a ‘people pleasing’ culture can sure be toxic for the business. However, there are companies where employees are happier than elsewhere — on average. Some companies have obviously found ways to make employees satisfied and retain them. Here are some things they have in common:
Equality
A company that’s worth working at treats people equally, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, and age. This company pays people according to their skills and performance, not according to their gender. This company doesn’t discriminate against women because they might be more absent from work due to family responsibilities.
This company also treats people fairly. Everyone has benefits, healthcare, parental leave, and vacation. These are the essentials every employee needs in order to feel happy at their job.
A strong culture
A strong culture doesn’t mean a Friday bar or an Xbox in the lounge area. A strong culture means support, trust, and appreciation for employees who do their best. A strong culture is a place where employees know that they are worth, and they clearly see where they fit in the company objectives.
Culture is what defines the climate in an organization. It’s basically a set of values that shape the behavior of the employees and their feelings towards the company. Every company has a culture, even undefined. The best thing to do is make it clear and show ways how every employee should contribute to it.
Companies that often make it to those “best places to work” lists are those who listen to their employees. A great company listens to what employees think of it and asks them what should be changed. Because, at the end of the day, a great company wants its best employees to stay, and that can’t happen without listening.
A strong culture starts with the management of the company. If they address problems with immediate and effective action, that company must be a great place to work at.
Investing in employees
Ambitious employees want to grow and will join a company that gives them the best growth opportunities. These employees don’t want to stay in one place and want to work at companies that respect and encourage professional development.
Companies whose employees stay for years, constantly get promotions, visit training programs and conferences are companies who really want to see their employees grow. These companies understand that everyone’s career is individual and needs a specific approach. That’s why they offer their employees engaging mentoring programs and provide support for their own career preferences.
Understanding
Companies need to have an understanding of people’s personal lives. Unplanned situations and problems occur, and they take over our minds, preventing us from focusing.
There are also days when we’re not our best selves. We feel sick, or simply blue. It’s all part of human nature.
A nice working environment
The way our office looks can have a huge impact on our productivity. A lot of natural light, green areas, and comfortable chairs are crucial to making employees feel good at this place. Spaces that encourage collaboration and social interaction between employees are also important in order to build a strong and supportive environment.
Moreover, relaxed team events without focusing on work also contribute to the mood of the employees, releasing them from the feeling they are just workers who came here to do their jobs.
Caring for employee feedback
Great companies rely on employee feedback. There will always be mistakes, but they know how to learn from them. More importantly, they ask their employees about what should be changed and how things can be improved. And they listen to this feedback and incorporate it into their working. In the end, the company is supposed to be a second home for those employees, and they must feel good there. That’s why they should be the ones who get asked about everything.
Creating a company that’s worth working at isn’t easy. However, companies that are trying to get there look different than the others, and the best talents have the ability to recognize it.
Big names and a high salary might mean nothing when other crucial things are missing. Even if you work at Google, but still have a boring job with no challenges, no collaboration between people, and no basic respect, would you stay? Of course not.
After all, we spend a third of our lives at work. Shouldn’t we make it the best place possible?
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