A good work culture is a culture where people thrive on collaborative effort and where there is a sense of community. A good work culture can be described as one where people work together for their mutual benefit, where decisions are made through discussion, and where people are compensated for their work.
A work culture that does not have an organizational culture is likely to be cyclical with respect to how much time people have for work. A cyclical organizational culture will have meetings once a week, with meetings for both work and home life. On the other hand, a good organizational culture will likely be flexible and open-door, where people are whatever they need to be in order to perform their jobs effectively and productively.
Which Works For You?
The people who thrive on collaborative effort and who are compensated for their work benefit from the following:
- Flexibility: People are expected to be around during the day as they need to be in the business of their day. They are not expected to be at their desks in the evening.
- Flexible hours: There is no set work schedule, day or night. There may be some time for socializing, or even collaborative reviewing and discussion, but there is not a strict 12/12/12 work schedule.
- Flexible work hours: The employee is expected to work any hours that they want, and in any order that they want. This may include some time for personal time, or time for family or other commitments.
- Pay Equity: Pay is based on the work product, not the job title. This may mean that employees are paid the same for all hours worked, or that employees make differentials based on how much time is dedicated to their job.
- Startups: Employees are expected to be able to come to work with zero experience, and no job training. Entrepreneurs are expected to have no job experience, and to have no knowledge of technology.
Different Workspaces and Staffing Practices
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how having a good organizational culture affects your workplace, let’s first understand what a good workspace is. The Workspace Principle states that “a workplace where people thrive on collaborative effort and where there is a sense of community, where decisions are made through discussion, and where people are compensated for their work, is a good work culture.”
You will benefit from having a good workplace culture when your work environment is:
- Flexible: You are expected to be at your desk during regular hours, with a flexible work schedule. You can choose when and where you want to be at all times, and on how long. There is no set work schedule, day or night. You are expected to be in the building at all times, in your office or on the job. You have the right to be confused or mistrustful, and you are expected to use that advantage when it comes up.
- Open-door: You are expected to welcome all employees and managers with a warm and considerate smile. You are expected to answer questions or make suggestions regarding work-related issues, and you are expected to show up on time. You are expected to be caring, trustworthy, and creative. Workplaces with a good work environment are likely to have a good work-life balance, with people getting their tasks done effectively and with a sense of community.
Key Takeaway
Having a good workplace culture is great for both employees and managers. It promotes a collaborative work environment where people thrive on working together for mutual benefit. It allows people to choose the time and place for work that works best for them. It allows managers to create a work environment where people are able to choose the time and place for work that works best for them. Lastly, it allows employees to be compensated for their work, which can help avoid the “orphan child” problem discussed above.
