As we begin to bring employees back to work, this is an opportunity to create a new company culture post-Covid. Implementing a positive company culture can have so many company benefits, particularly productivity and retention. It is no secret we are in a talent shortage, and your company does not need the turnover costs. According to research highlighted by Harvard Business Review, positive work cultures promote more productive, engaged, and happier employees. Also, according to one survey highlighted by Forbes, “corporate culture, however it is defined, makes a difference in companies’ performance and value (Creighton, K., 2019).
Research shows lack of loyalty leads to voluntary turnover. Employees go on the job market, decline promotions, or resign. And the turnover costs associated with recruiting, training, lowered productivity, lost expertise is significant. The Center for American Progress (https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2012/11/16/44464/there-are-significant-business-costs-to-replacing-employees/) research shows replacing a single employee costs 20% of that employee’s salary.
Below are some steps companies may want to consider:
Assess Your Current Workplace Culture
Before Covid, was your company culture toxic and unproductive? Did employees work together? How were your workspaces? (https://www.hermanmiller.com/research/). Did your supervisors and managers exhibit your Company values and mission? What were the methods of communication to employees? Were departments competitive or helpful with other departments?
What Kind of Culture Do You Want to Establish.
Leadership should establish a cultural vision of how your company’s values and mission will manifest in employees’ work. You can conduct an employee survey to gain insight on how the old culture was and what they would like to see in the new culture post-Covid. You may find employees wanted Pre-Covid culture, and you can build on your company’s strengths! Productivity, employee wellness, and motivation should be at the center of your cultural vision.
Engage Respected Department Employees
Companies should turn to employees to drive the change and culture. Of course, you need leadership sponsorship as well as management. The key to driving change needs to include not just management but the employee groups.
Foster Social Connections
Post-Covid, we need much more social connections at work! Create company activities whereby employees can engage with each other. Redesign offices that allow for a positive employee experience. (https://www.hermanmiller.com/research/categories/case-studies/can-office-design-improve-employee-experience/)
A large number of empirical studies confirm that positive social connections at work produce highly desirable results. Toxic, stress-filled workplaces affect social relationships and, consequently, life expectancy.
Leadership Training and Support
“Additionally, managers must support their employees and now be empathetic to any family and health concerns. In other words, a great way to implement a new and positive company culture is also to ensure that employees—especially managers and executives—undergo training for emotional intelligence and servant leadership.” (Creighton, K., 2019 5 Steps to Take When Implementing a New Company Culture)
Reinforce Your New Company Culture Every Day
Your company leadership should include the new culture formation in every communication. Management should lead by example to have a unique culture become a reality. Suppose you want your company to be successful post-Covid. In that case, Leaders need to embrace a new way of conducting business, pivot to a new company mission and vision if necessary, and encourage employee wellness and productivity. This is only possible by reviewing your current culture Pre-Covid and create a new Post-Covid culture if needed.
Seize the day and time! Turn your company into a profitable productive and motivated workplace with a positive culture!
Re: (Creighton, K., 2019) 5 Steps to Take When Implementing a New Company Culture. HR Advisor. https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/02/26/5-steps-to-take-when-implementing-a-new-company-culture/
Belonging at Work (2020) https://www.hermanmiller.com/content/dam/hermanmiller/documents/white_papers/wp_belonging_at_work.pdf
