What is workplace culture?
Kara Steele is a Health Stewardship Coach and Account Executive for inDeed Wellness.
According to Dan Denison, Ph.D (University of Michigan), culture can be defined as “the underlying values, beliefs and principles that serve as a foundation for an organization’s management system as well as the practices and behaviors that both exemplify and reinforce those basic principles.”
Simply put, culture is the norms of behavior and shared values of an organization.
Research has shown that healthy work culture leads to satisfied employees and increased productivity. In order to increase the effectiveness of workplace wellness initiatives, it is crucial that businesses adopt practices that work towards creating a “supportive health-promoting environment” for their employees. Although no organization will ever reach utopia in the areas of health, safety and wellness, there are key strategies that can be utilized to improve the well-being of the culture as a whole.
Physical Activity
The best way to promote physical activity in the workplace is to provide access to an onsite fitness center. If space is at a premium, however, reimbursement can be given to individuals who purchase a gym membership. It is also helpful to make people aware of community resources so that they can maximize their free time outside of work.
Nutrition
Employers cannot expect their personnel to eat healthy while at work unless nutritious food options are available in the cafeteria and/or vending machines. Signs and posters advertising healthy eating habits should be visible throughout the workplace. Healthy food can also be served at company functions, including weekly staff meetings.
Tobacco/Alcohol/Drug Use
Many organizations have instituted policies that prohibit the hiring of workers who use tobacco products or illegal drugs. Random drug testing may be necessary to uncover drug use by employees. For those dealing with drug or alcohol abuse by current employees, it may be wise to promote the availability of community or online resources to help them conquer their addiction.
Stress Management
To avoid unnecessary stress within your agency, it is important that management provide clear expectations as well as the right tools and equipment to get the job done. Peer support groups, mentoring/coaching programs and counseling services are all effective methods of reducing stress for your team members.
Physical Environment
Your staff must have a safe and comfortable work environment in order to do their job in an efficient manner. Addressing issues such as ergonomics of the workstation, climate control, and creation of emergency procedures are key in keeping your crew happy, healthy and safe.
Why is workplace culture important?
Workplace cultures that perform at a high level consistently produce outstanding results. While this list is not exhaustive, it is a great starting point for any company interested in building a wellness program that achieves lasting results.