Every workplace culture is unique. According to Harvard Business Review, a workplace, or company culture, demonstrates the company’s values, set of assumptions, belief systems, attitudes and group norms. Workplace culture includes several factors within the business including management styles, work environment, core values, mission statement and ethics.
Workplace cultures that encourage a high-stress, ultra-competitive environment have hidden costs, with employees paying the price through health issues such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Healthcare costs at high-pressure companies are greater than at other companies that encourage workplace well-being and promote healthy lifestyles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), workplace health programs can generate a 25% savings each on healthcare costs, absenteeism, worker’s compensation and disability management claims rates.
A toxic work environment can breed conflicts, absenteeism, higher error rates, uncooperative attitudes, a lack of enthusiasm or loyalty as well as resistance to management. A well-managed workplace correlates with happy, productive staff, and a positive culture holds the key to boosting employee well-being.
How to Promote a Healthy and Supportive Work Environment
Research conducted by Deloitte has shown that 94% of management and 88% of employees think that a clear workplace culture is essential to a company’s success. How can we encourage a healthy and supportive workplace culture? Here are some ways:
- Foster communication. Clarity and courtesy are hallmarks of good communication from management or between peers. Teams tend to work better together and be more productive when communication and understanding coexist.
- Champion diversity. A workplace culture that embraces diversity is welcoming of all. Employees are aware of how to communicate and interact without judgment, stereotyping or discrimination. This fosters acceptance of others while promoting collaboration.
- Encourage teamwork. A culture of working together centers on the accomplishments of the group and encourages collaboration. When teams know what’s expected of them and what roles they need to play within the group, teamwork becomes second nature.
- Provide opportunities for growth. When employees can grow and take ownership, they tend to be more engaged. Gaining new skills and experiencing career growth motivates employees, boosting loyalty and personal performance.
- Activate engagement. When employees feel secure, valued and accepted, they invest more of themselves into their job. Self-confident employees thrive in a positive work environment.
How Will Earning a BS in University Studies Help?
A Bachelor of Science in University Studies online from Lamar University is one way to begin or strengthen your career. This degree program offers classes in cultural anthropology, gender, human development, leadership, nonverbal communication, interpersonal communication, social and behavioral science, ethics and more.
You’ll also have the option of choosing an area of study for your degree program. The five options are: multidisciplinary studies; ethnicity, race and gender studies; human development; social and behavioral sciences; and organizational leadership. The online B.S. in University Studies program will prepare you with transferable skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. An advanced elective course titled Lifelong Learning and Portfolio Development helps students aim for their academic, personal and professional goals. By strengthening the related skills through a degree program of this nature, graduates emerge as builders of healthy workplace cultures.
Learn more about Lamar University’s Bachelor of Science in University Studies online program.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Workplace Health Programs Can Impact Health Care Costs
Forbes: How to Create a Positive Workplace Culture
Harvard Business Review: The Leader’s Guide to Corporate Culture
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