5 Secrets of Companies With Good Office Culture

Are your employees fired up about their jobs or are they sharing those popular memes about dreading the start of the workweek every Monday? We’d all like to think our employees fall into the first category, but the reality is many companies aren’t quite getting it right when it comes to employee motivation.

Think about whether or not your work environment inspires people. If you take a closer look at employers known for having good office culture, you’ll find they have certain things in common:

1. There’s open communication. Good luck finding many gossipers at companies with good office culture. At these companies, employees are kept in the know—managers share company goals and keep everyone aware of business developments. The free flow of information runs both ways, with employees encouraged to speak up when they have suggestions. Managers create a safe environment where employees can share ideas or concerns without fear of career repercussions.

2. Managers trust employees. Micromanagers aren’t necessary at companies with great culture. Employees are given tasks and the autonomy to get them done. Managers are available for support, but employees are relied on to make the necessary decisions to complete their assignments. Both triumphs and mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.

At these companies, there’s also a feeling of inclusion and trust when it’s time to launch new projects. Employees are invited to share input and managers follow through to implement the best suggestions.

3. They invest in training and development. Want to improve your Excel skills or become a better public speaker? Great! Companies that care about office culture not only pay for training, they give employees the necessary work time to complete it. These companies know employees who continue to grow professionally are almost always happier and more productive.

Investments are also made in the overall development of employees to succeed in their established roles. For instance, mentors from within the organization are paired with new and junior employees to help them thrive.

4. Work/life balance is a priority. At companies with good office culture, you won’t find employees constantly staring at their laptops well past dinnertime, or spending half of Sunday afternoon catching up on email. At these places, overtime is the exception, not the norm. Managers pay attention for signs of burnout and help employees prioritize work when things are really busy. Flexible hours and remote work arrangements are common and a healthier lifestyle may be promoted through gym memberships and wellness programs.

5. There’s a sense of community. Studies have found that employees with many friends at their office are much more likely to say they love their companies. Employers that value culture make it easy for employees to hang out together and get to know one another. Since people have historically bonded over meals, an easy way to promote camaraderie is through lunches at the office or monthly birthday celebrations complete with cake and time to socialize. Off-site activities like helping a local charity or attending a painting class also encourage bonding.

Your office culture can impact both hiring and retention of employees, so take time periodically to make sure it’s a positive one. Even small tweaks to what you’re doing can go a long way toward building a satisfied workforce.