An organisation is either successful or fails based on its culture. As far as company culture is concerned, employees want to believe in the claims their business makes.
According to a recent survey by Cezanne HR, consisting of 1,000 UK and Ireland employees, 85% of respondents said that they felt company culture was important to them. However, despite a big amount declaring its importance, only 57% of employees felt that their company had a stated culture.
Of those who did say that their company had a stated culture, 26% stated that their company’s culture was not at all reflective of what their company claimed their culture would be like!
These are quite remarkable statistics, though, it is important to acknowledge some of the reasons why company culture might not be reflective of what some companies claim theirs to be like.
7 Red Flags That Your Company’s Culture Might Not Be What It Seems
If you’re not happy with your current situation or feel like something is off, it might be time to consider leaving. Here are seven warning signs that your company’s culture might not be what it seems:
1. Your employees are not feeling comfortable
If your employees can’t be themselves at work, then the culture isn’t completely healthy. Good company culture should be supportive, non-judgmental, and allow you to bring your whole self to work.
If they’re feeling like they have to put on a persona or wear a “mask” while at work, it’s likely that the culture isn’t as great as it could be. This can lead to all sorts of problems down the line, including mental health issues, poor performance, and even leaving the company altogether.
2. Hesitated Behaviour of Your Employees
Do your employees feel like their opinions and ideas are valued? Or, do they feel like their voices are never heard? If it’s the latter, then that’s an alarming sign as some companies can claim that they very much have an open door policy of communication, yet that couldn’t be further from the truth.
This can lead to a feeling of powerlessness and frustration, which can eventually lead to employees leaving the company. If they don’t feel comfortable speaking up, then the culture probably isn’t as open and inclusive as it could be.
3. High Employee
One of the most telling signs that something is wrong with your company culture is high turnover. If you’re constantly having to replace employees, it’s a sign that something isn’t working.
High turnover can be a result of many things, but it often comes down to culture. If your employees don’t feel like they fit in or they’re not valued, they’re much more likely to leave. This can be extremely costly for your business, so it’s important to nip the problem in the bud before it gets out of hand.
4. Your employees are unhappy
Are your employees happy? Do they seem stressed or overworked? That indicates that the company’s culture may not be as positive as it could be.
Happy employees are productive employees. If your employees are constantly complaining or seem to be dreading coming into work, that’s a tip-off. This is often a sign that they don’t feel valued or appreciated, which can lead to all sorts of problems.
A company’s success depends on how much talent they have available, so it is important to keep your workers feeling valued and engaged in order for them to be at their best potential. If they’re not, it’s time to evaluate the culture and determine what needs to be changed.
5. Your company is all about the bottom line
Is your company more concerned with profits than people? It’s a warning: While it’s important to be profitable, companies should also be focused on their employees. If your company is only concerned with the bottom line, it can lead to a number of problems.
For example, your employees may feel like they’re just a number or that their job is expendable. An experience like this can result in feelings of anxiety and insecurity, which can eventually lead them to leave the company.
If your company is too focused on one or the other, it’s time to take a closer look at the culture.
6. High Competition than Cooperation
Is your company more focused on competition than cooperation? If so, that could be a problem. While it’s important to have some healthy competition, it shouldn’t be the only thing that’s emphasised.
If your company is too focused on the competition, it can lead to a number of problems. Alternatively, employees may feel competitive rather than working together. This can lead to a feeling of mistrust and insecurity, which can eventually lead to them leaving the company.
7. You’re not living the culture you claim
If you’re not living the culture you claim, that’s a wake-up call to track down things. If your company says it values teamwork but you’re constantly putting employees in competition with each other, that’s a problem.
It’s important to practice what you preach. If your company says it values employee happiness but you’re constantly putting profits ahead of people, that’s a problem. If you want to create a positive culture, you need to make sure you’re living up to your own standards.
Conclusion
No doubt, a company’s culture is the soul of the organization. If your company culture is suffering, it’s important to take a close look at the problem and see what needs to be changed.
If you see any of these warning signs in your company, it’s time to take a closer look at the culture. Leaving these problems unattended will only make them worse. Address the issues head-on and make the necessary changes to create a positive culture that will lead to a successful business.