What really makes up good company culture in a PR agency? Is it the ping pong table in the middle of the office, the occasional free lunch, the coffee bar? Let’s think about it. Those things don’t really matter when you’re feeling sick or when stuck in traffic for an hour on your way home from work. All of this combined with not being able to take time off and truly unplug can take a toll on your mental health, your physical health, and your productivity. Finding a job with a good company culture is much more than what’s on the surface and these so-called “perks.” Ping pong tables don’t mean anything when you can’t leave work guilt-free to deal with real life.
Employees want to work for a company with a good culture, plain and simple. Company culture is one of the most important aspects for candidates in the job market. The pandemic allowed us all to reassess our priorities, and through that process most people decided that they didn’t want to spend 40 hours a week working for a company that doesn’t make them feel valued and important.
Not only does having a good company culture make work more enjoyable, but it can actually attract more talented individuals. I like to think of it like going back to grade school with the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. The same thing applies to the employer-employee relationship.
Here are three things employers should focus on that will ultimately attract talented individuals:
#1: Care About The Wellbeing of Your Employees
We are all human. We go on vacation. We get sick. We break bones (a few of us Cracklers are really good at this one). Companies can preach work-life balance all they want, but what really proves they care is how they respond when real life emergencies pop up. Does your employer allow you to step out when life calls for it?
Companies benefit in a few ways by prioritizing their employees. According to Gallup, employees who strongly agree that their employer cares about their overall wellbeing are:
- 69% less likely to actively search for a new job
- 71% less likely to report experiencing a lot of burnout
- 5x more likely to strongly advocate for their company as a place to work and to strongly agree they trust the leadership of their organization
- 3x more likely to be engaged at work
- 36% more likely to be thriving in their overall lives
Sounds like a win-win to me!
One of the best things about working at Crackle is that we get off at 1 p.m. every single Friday. This extra time before the weekend allows us to get some errands done before the weekend, spend time with friends and family, and just get out and enjoy the sunshine.
#2: Trust Your Employees
A workplace built on trust is key to any healthy work environment. Employees feel valued when they’re trusted at work. According to Deloitte, 79% of employees who highly trust their employer feel motivated to work.
Companies that prioritize trust create a culture where people lift each other up, depend on each other, and have a strong sense of unity within their team. High-trust environments also encourage workplace collaboration and team cooperation that can lead to new ideas.
At Crackle, we don’t micromanage each other with time sheets or daily updates of every task we complete. We trust that we’ll all get our work done and meet deadlines.
#3: Let Your Employees Work Where They Want
As our founder Parry Headrick once said, office cubicles are so 2019. While working remotely isn’t for everyone, employees should have the option, if possible. Giving employees flexibility to choose where they work is very desirable post-pandemic. A Zippia report stated that the number of fully remote workers grew 4x larger from 2018 to 2021, and 81% of workers expect their employer to continue supporting remote work. Allowing remote work is a sign of an adaptable employer who values and cares for their employees.
Several studies have shown that remote workers are more productive than office workers. ConnectWise reports that 77% of hybrid workers who work remotely at least a few times per month said that remote work made them perform at a higher level.
Here are just a few benefits of being able to work remote:
- Higher productivity
- More time saved
- Healthy work-life balance
- No commute
How does all of this attract talent?
I only touched on three main factors of strong company culture, yet there are tons of workplace benefits. Higher productivity rates, less turnover, better work-life balance, less burnout, and increased employee satisfaction are all things that can be accomplished by improving just a few small components of company culture. Treating employees as real, valued people is mutually beneficial for both the employer and employee.
Talented people want to work for organizations with strong cultures because they know their worth. Company culture is closely linked to brand image, and a positive culture will help to enhance your brand’s reputation.