What are values-based workplaces (and why should your workplace become one)?
What are values-based workplaces (and why should your workplace become one)?
What are values-based workplaces (and why should your workplace become one)?
The term “values-based workplace” has become a bit of a buzzword in the HR space. But like a lot of business owners, you might be wondering: what exactly is a values-based workplace?
A values-based workplace is essentially one that has strong organisational values in place. By values, we mean what the company believes in or sees as being important. These values will define who the business is as a company, and govern everything they do on the day-to-day. This includes everything from their operations and business activities to how they interact with customers and how their employees are expected to act and behave in the workplace. You might like to say that these employees “live and die” by their values.
The specific values that define a values-based workplace can vary from company to company. This is because every business will have different views when it comes to what they believe in or see as important. To give you a general idea though, examples of common values held by companies include things like inclusivity, diversity, fairness, integrity, honesty, innovation, collaboration, respect, or passion.
From a HR perspective, values-based workplaces are highly effective. This is because they have a large number of benefits for businesses, from small businesses to bigger corporates. These include:
- That they improve employee engagement by promoting a collaborative workplace culture where all employees feel “heard” and have a say in decision making
- That they improve employee wellbeing by creating a workplace culture and environment where all employees feel safe, supported, and secure
- That they can help you to attract the best people (as most employees will want to work for a company whose values align with their own)
- That they foster clear and transparent communication within the organisation by making sure that all employees have a clear idea of what the company values or sees as important
- That they help to make employees truly passionate and enthusiastic about their work and what the company does (which will result in them doing better work than someone who sees their role as “just a job” and does not value the company)
Having a values-based culture also has a range of other benefits outside of the HR space. For example:
- It sets you apart from your competitors, and gives you a competitive edge (as many customers prefer to use companies whose values align with their own)
- It promotes good business practices (such as honesty, integrity, and fairness)
- It helps to build better stakeholder relationships at all levels within the organisation
- It increases customer satisfaction by promoting efficiency and productivity
- It sets a clear and stable path for your company’s growth (which in turn motivates employees by showing them the “end goal”)
There are several steps that you can take to start becoming a values-based workplace. The first step should be to communicate with your employees and stakeholders, and identify the values or beliefs that are most important to your company, customers, and people. From there, you can start developing a values statement, and incorporating the values you have identified into your company’s policies and procedures. The key here is to make the process of developing a values-based workplace a collaborative one, and involve your people at every stage of the decision-making process.
If you’d like to become a values-based workplace but are unsure of where to start, we can help. At MMCHR, we have a proven track record of working with companies of all sizes across a diverse range of industries to develop a values-based culture. For more information, get in touch with us today at hello@mmchr.com.au or 07 4243 5977.