How to foster a supportive culture at work

Culture refers to a collective of people with shared ideals, behaviours and beliefs. This can be seen across nations, regions and organisations. In reference to a workplace, culture is often noted as the defining feature. Recent studies haves shown that 82% of employers believe that workplace culture drives behaviour, innovation and a provides a key competitive edge.

The impact of workplace culture cannot be emphasised enough. Organisations are only as efficient as their workforce, and if employees aren’t motivated by the culture in their place of work, they are less engaged and less productive. Supportive workplaces generate greater results due to the fact that even the most inexperienced team members are encouraged to succeed and gain the necessary skills to drive success.

What is workplace culture?

The term ‘organisational culture’ is often incredibly vague and unclear. Despite this, organisation leaders wholeheartedly commit to their belief in it and consistently emphasise it’s value. The reason leaders and management stress the importance of culture is because they understand that it is what inspires and motivates employees, and it is up to them to establish this culture.

Workplace culture is typically identified as a collective of attitudes, ideals and behaviours that define an organisation and it’s working environment. The beliefs and practices of a workplace are entirely defined by the culture permeating them. If organisations and their leaders establish a supportive environment, employees will collaborate and assist each other with various problems, understanding they are working towards a shared goal. The inverse of this however is that a negative singular attitude will deter collaboration, internal competitiveness and a lack of engagement with the aims of the business.

Whilst the culture of a workplace is defined by the collective, it is also dependent on the individual. If the wellbeing of employees is not considered and nurtured, feelings of negativity towards an organisation can begin to spread throughout a workforce and generate a sense of apathy that damages rates of productivity.

How to create a positive workplace culture?

Cultivating the positive atmosphere and culture required to drive organisational growth is managed by the head of the organisation and is maintained by employees following the set standard. Positive and supportive workplace cultures are dependent on a multitude factors. Like any environment, each individual factor has a direct impact and effect on other elements. Here are just a few factors to consider when creating or improving workplace culture:

Recognising employee efforts

It is incredibly simple to overlook simple gestures in fast-paced, stressful work environments. Losing high-level talent and high-turnover rates can be extremely detrimental to positive workplace attitudes. In a survey from 2022, it was discovered that just over a third of new employees would leave their organisation withing he first 90 days as the workplace culture was not what they expected. Often, employees feel their efforts are undervalued and they may be better appreciated elsewhere. Ensuring employee efforts are recognised not only motivates the individual to maintain high standards but it also energises other employees to achieve the same benchmark and receive the same praise.

Organise regular one-to-ones to support employee development

One key factor to consider when cultivating a supportive workplace environment is consistency. When employees are supported consistently, they feel more valued and understand how to better develop into their roles. This support will prevent staff turnover, and keep employees in place who understand the organisation, it’s goals and will be committed to achieving them. As the business grows with employees learning and developing, they will impart knowledge on to new starters, creating a self-sustaining support network.

Encourage a healthy work-life balance

Creating a supportive culture is about more than actions and behaviours in the workplace. To support employee’s wellbeing, they need to be given the space and freedom to focus on themselves. Encouraging the workforce to stay beyond their contracted work hours, or work through their lunch will breed resentment, stress and have a negative impact on their mental health. When professional matters begin to bleed into someone’s personal life, they will feel less supported as they are dealing with workplace stress without other colleagues or management to assist them.

Clear and measured communication

All support begins with communication. It may be trite, but communication is and always will be key. If someone is struggling in the workplace and they do not feel comfortable expressing their concerns, then productivity will be negatively impacted. Establishing that employees can speak to each other and to management and emphasising that they will receive the relevant support when the require it will only further develop your workforce. This culture makes it clear to employees that they will be supported, encouraged to grow and innovate, and this will result in them making efforts maintain this culture.

Workplace culture – what not to do

No leader sets out with the intention of creating a toxic working environment. However, whether it is due to practices they encourage or the stress that staff experience, they can inadvertently create a working environment that people do not want to be a part of. Negative workplace cultures result in diminished returns and increased costs through increased absences and presenteeism. There is a multitude of ways in which a negative environment could be cultivated but there are specific pitfalls that can be avoided.

Don’t limit workplace opportunities

New employees will come to an organisation eager to learn, develop and eventually progress their career. Studies have shown that 53% of Gen Z value workplace learning to progress in their roles and 70% of workers say learning opportunities with a company improve their connection to an organisation. These opportunities aren’t simply requirements or novelties. Employees are eager to develop their current skills and learn new ones. This desire comes from wanting to achieve the best results in their current roles, or to be able to grow into a new role within the structure of an organisation. It is predicted that within the next two years, a growing skill gap will become apparent amongst employees, estimated to affect 6 in 10 employees. Creating a culture of support and developing your workforce could provide your organisation a competitive edge.

Keep employees engaged

Keeping employees engaged with your organisation and the work they are carrying out will naturally generate a culture of support and positivity. When your workforce understands the goals they are working towards, they are prepared and willing to help others where they can. This culture of support helps to alleviate stress and burnout, keeping every team member committed to their own professional ambitions. When employees are operating in a negative environment, they will naturally breed more negativity. They may bemoan workloads, the aims of management, consider new opportunities and encouraging colleagues to do the same.

Create a natural environment

The importance of a supportive workplace is evident to most organisations. The primary pitfall arises when decision makers attempt to cultivate this environment through unnatural means. Creating and maintaining a positive working environment is an ongoing process and does not happen overnight. Employees cannot simply be told that they will be supported or see repeated messaging alongside unachievable incentives. The support needs to be tangible and accessible. When employees are understanding of the values of an organisation and feel their efforts will be supported, they will extend this support to others. Taking the concerns of a workforce into account and making efforts to improve the surrounding culture will produce a naturally supportive environment that decreases stress and promotes productivity.

How an EAP can help?

Supporting employees and generating a positive working environment is essential to organisational growth. Maintaining it however depends on individuals. Concerns on a micro level can snowball and have a negative impact on overall culture. Using Health Assured's Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides the necessary support, allowing employees to thrive. Using our EAP, when employees are dealing with feelings of stress and a decline in their mental health, they can access a free 24/7 helpline with our expert counsellors. Through our helpline, employees can access legal and financial information, relationship advice and mental health support all year round.

Related article: Why you need an EAP

Conclusion

Working cultures are key to how an organisation is perceived. If employees feel unsupported and undervalued in their workplace, it is more than likely their productivity levels will decrease. Ensuring employees are effectively supported leads to greater employee commitment and engagement. Focusing on their development and wellbeing can only benefit the growth of an organisation as everyone is understanding of how to uplift each other to achieve their potential.