A happy and healthy work environment is an important goal all employers, job seekers and the currently employed should strive for. Here are 6 signs that you are lucky enough to be a part of a healthy company culture, and what to do if you aren’t.

If you are lucky enough to be someone’s employer, then you have a moral obligation to make sure people do look forward to coming to work in the morning- John Mackey, Whole Foods Market

 

There’s a low turnover rate

In human resources context, turnover is the act of replacing an employee with a new employee. If employees are leaving the company left and right voluntarily within a certain period of time, you have a high turnover rate. However, if you notice most employees have been around for years and have stayed happy in their positions, you are probably looking at a healthy company culture. People should be waiting in line to join your team. Not just because of the pay and how it could benefit them financially but because they’ve heard such great things about your company culture and would do anything to be a part of it.

Your employees are happy

It’s more than just a job to them. They feel valued and know that they are more important than the task at hand. Employees should feel accepted and have their friends in the office. Funny emails being sent around the office, snack bars, free lunches and employee appreciation days are just a few of the endless ways employees feel happy at work. However, there is more to company culture than just free snacks so look around your office and observe how people get along with each other, how they work together and communicate and how many people are continually smiling in the office.

There are opportunities for advancement

As an employee, you should be able to grow in a healthy work environment. Promotions and raises are given where credit is due and employees feel that they can continue on an upward scale. If an employee has been doing the same thing for multiple years without their hard work being acknowledged by raises or more responsibility, you’re probably looking at a not so healthy company culture.

There is an absence of fear

In a healthy culture, people take responsibility for making decisions because they have no fear of being ambushed. Employees don’t worry about saying the wrong thing in front of the wrong person in fear of being terminated. There is a mutual understanding that all voices will be heard and everyone has a right to an opinion and the ability to express that opinion in the office without fear of repercussion.

Change is welcome

The company has the ability and willingness to adapt. There’s a high tolerance for change and adaptability in a healthy company. Certain industries call for change monthly or even weekly so a company must go with the wind and not fear change but embrace it.

Goals and definitions of success are clearly defined

There is a streamlined process for most office operations and there is a unanimous understanding of the goal and the general direction of the company. There should be no confusion!

So…what do you do now?

If you feel like you’re stuck in an unhealthy company culture, it’s not too late to fix it.  You have the power to change the culture by taking it one day at a time and striving to work towards the above 6 signs. In the end, your company is only as good as its employees so make sure you provide them with an environment that they can feel proud to be a part of!