Contrary to what most HR trends’ articles will have you believe, work culture is still an afterthought for many companies. It’s an add-on to a job description or company profile, no matter if the business’s everyday operations actually reflect it.
The result?
Employers attract talent who are promised a thriving environment but end up in a toxic workspace.
To avoid becoming a victim, candidates now have to investigate every company before submitting an application.
However, there’s only so much you can understand about a company from the outside.
Let’s explore five hard-to-miss signs that a company has a positive work culture.
Before that…
Purpose of Workplace Culture
Where you work is not only responsible for your income, it also affects your quality of life. This influence includes your character development, acquired skills, and your network.
All these extras are not determined by your salary, but by the workplace culture. Work in a place with a positive culture and you’ll feel enthusiastic to show up. Work in a place with a toxic culture and all you’ll feel is resentment.
5 Signs of a Positive Workplace Culture
1. Low Employee Turnover
Companies with long-term employees are an indication of a positive workplace culture. Great pay can buffer terrible work conditions, but only for so long.
Here’s what you can do to learn about a company’s employee turnover rate.
First, go to the company’s LinkedIn page and scroll down to the Home section. You should see a graph that tells you the company’s headcount growth and the average tenure of employees.
Here’s what that looks like for Dreamdata.
In this example, the company’s estimated employment period is almost two years. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states the average median tenure of a worker is 4.1 years.
You also can evaluate employee turnover by reviewing the employees’ LinkedIn profiles. Check out how long they spent at the company. You also can reach out to them and ask them about their experience.
2. Sense of Shared Purpose
Upholding company values is the starting point for companies building a positive workplace culture. It’s reflected in the company’s operations and how employees interact with one another.
This value alignment will show itself as a sense of shared purpose amongst employees. There’ll be clear expectations around work and ease of collaboration.
A positive workplace culture also leads to fewer chances of burnout.
Shivasankari Bhuvaneswaran, who says her employer Zuper has a great work culture, shared her tips for getting a sense of the company’s culture before joining:
“Apart from trying to understand the company’s hierarchy and communication policies, I try to get a feel of the company’s values. Are they values that I can align myself with? Do they seem to be values that people actually live by? This gives me an idea of whether or not you would fit in the company.”
You can learn about a company’s values through their profile or by checking out their website.
Also, review the job description. You shouldn’t have to wonder about your responsibilities within a role. For instance, the job description below is a reflection of a company with a poor work culture.
Notice how the opening line already showcases the intensity of the work environment. The highlighted areas show you’ll be working a set schedule. There’s also no mention of the company’s vision, coupled with the unfriendly tone of the job description.
Doesn’t sound like a place that values your mental health or cares about the idea of a work culture, right?
The following job description is the exact opposite.
The company offers a concise description of what the company is and offers details to get you excited about joining them. It sets clear expectations on what the role entails and how it aligns with the company’s strategy.
3. High Productivity Level
Productivity is usually determined by the efficiency of an employees’ output and the company’s quarterly targets. For this to happen, companies have to equip employees with the right tools and environment.
For example, Dreamdata’s social selling campaign was kickstarted by an employee, and due to the collective efforts of the employees, it amassed over 500,000 views on their company’s site.
To learn about high productivity levels, look out for:
- Quality of work output
- Company’s growth trajectory
- Company updates
4. Concern for Employee Wellbeing
A company should state the different ways they invest in employees’ well-being. So, check if the perks that come with the role show they care about your mental and physical well-being.
Look for paid gym sessions, therapy sessions, time off, and other unique benefits.
Katrina Andrejević, who works as a customer advocate at Userlist, states her workplace provides optimal conditions for her to work.
“The first clue was when they asked ‘what can we do to make you feel more comfortable’ once they made me an offer.”
5. Work-life balance
A company’s policy on work hours says a lot about its work culture. Your work should not stop you from exploring other aspects of life. One way of ensuring this is by looking out for their policies on public holidays, volunteering, employee retreats, and parental leave.
Katrina also sheds more light on this unmissable sign:
“Since I work remotely, I ask recruiters and hiring managers about their communication practices and if they are async. Also, how common working on weekends is.”
Check out the company’s job description, company news, updates, and socials to get information about work-life balance. Do they post pictures of water cooler moments or fun times at work? Most companies organize annual retreats for employees with activities.
Find a Positive Workplace Culture
Follow these tips, trust your intuition, and do your research when selecting the right employer. You’ll be more confident in your job search and land better opportunities. Plus, you’ll find a positive workplace culture that we help your career thrive.
About the Author
Blessing Onyegbula is a freelance B2B SaaS content writer for Martech and HR tech companies. You can follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn to learn more about her services.
