Valuing Employees, Trust, and a Gossip-Free Environment Key to a Happy Workplace, Study Finds

According to a recent study, valuing employees more than profit, establishing trust, and maintaining a gossip-free environment are among the essential elements for a happy workplace. The study examined the workplace culture and attitudes of employed adults to identify the factors that contribute to a positive working environment.

The research revealed that having space for creativity and time for reflection were especially important to those surveyed, along with having an approachable boss. Furthermore, a workplace that empowers all staff members to make a difference, regardless of their role, contributes to a positive environment. Strong leadership and hard-working colleagues were also identified as vital ingredients for a positive workplace.

The study, commissioned by employee experience platform Perkbox, involved 2,000 employed adults and was accompanied by a short film exploring the significance of workplace culture. The findings were released ahead of #WorkplaceCultureWeek, a week-long event aimed at highlighting the importance of workplace culture.

Saurav Chopra, co-founder and CEO at Perkbox, emphasized the need for a sustained focus on creating great workplace cultures and the benefits they bring. Perkbox has launched its own #WorkplaceCultureWeek and created an interactive video quiz to test people’s ability to identify different workplace cultures based on clues.

The study also revealed that 60 percent of workers are satisfied with their employers’ efforts to create a positive working environment. Half of the respondents believed that their employers had shaped a positive culture outside of work through regular activities. However, 72 percent believed that creating a positive work culture was the responsibility of the entire workforce, not just the management.

The research found that 70 percent of employed adults actually look forward to going to work, considering their role to be rewarding. Furthermore, 82 percent enjoy their job, and almost two-thirds believe they work in a happy and supportive environment. Recognition for their hard work was considered worthwhile by 52 percent of respondents.

The study, conducted by OnePoll, also found that seven out of 10 workers consider their workplace to be accepting and tolerant, open to different approaches and viewpoints. Words used to describe workplace culture by those surveyed included “welcoming,” “collaborative,” “goals driven,” and “risk conscious.”

Alexandra Sanpera Iglesias, head of communications at Perkbox, highlighted the importance of workplace culture and encouraged businesses to join in the week-long celebrations of #WorkplaceCultureWeek. Several companies, including Beam, CV-Library, Yapster, and PensionBee, have already pledged their participation.

Top 10 Ingredients for a Positive Workplace Culture:

  1. An encouraging atmosphere
  2. Strong leadership
  3. Valuing employees as much as profit
  4. Empowering all staff members to make a difference
  5. Hard-working colleagues
  6. Understanding bosses
  7. Trust
  8. Space for creativity
  9. Time for reflection
  10. Lack of gossip
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