What is workplace culture and why is it important?
Workplace culture is the way in which a company can express and highlight its values, goals and attitudes that make up an organisation. This guide explains company culture, the benefits of a good one and strategies to implement better culture practices within your company.
What is the meaning of workplace culture?
Workplace culture represents the personality and values of a company. It enables employees to align the company and work they do with the values they hold personally. Company culture can encourage employees to think positively about where they see themselves within the organisation, and how they will work to get to that point.
Why having a healthy workplace culture is important
In 2021, Headspace found that work stress had become one of the top three concerns for all people. This shines a light not only on the mental health struggles employees encounter at work, but the growing need for a workplace culture to help reduce that stress.
With a strong workplace culture, productivity and satisfaction levels improve, which heavily influences a business’s overall success. When employees are productive and satisfied, they’re more engaged, committed, and motivated to perform at their best. In fact, Deloitte found that 94% of executives and 88% of employees believe a distinct workplace culture is important to business success.
In the same study, 55% of employees said that “clearly defined and communicated values and beliefs” substantially contribute to a company’s success. This way, everyone can pull in the same direction and see the bigger picture in what they’re doing.
With it being clear how important company culture is to employees, it’s essential to nurture a strong one. One way to improve the culture overall is to introduce a coffee culture in the workplace, and here’s why.
Introducing a coffee culture
Coffee has long been a staple in offices worldwide, providing employees with a quick and convenient opportunity for a break during the working day. But the importance of having good coffee at work goes far beyond simply providing employees with a comforting hot beverage. It can also help improve a workplace culture. Here’s how:
1. It boosts morale
A good cup of coffee can go a long way in boosting employee morale, whether it’s high-quality coffee from a café or self-serve machines that cater to different tastes and preferences, or a simple tin of their favourite instant coffee. 69% of ‘unhappy’ employees say that ‘not feeling valued’ by their employer is the main reason for their unhappiness. By providing a selection of quality coffee solutions, employers can show they care about the wellbeing and happiness of their team.
2. It creates a sense of community
Coffee break areas can really help foster an inclusive work environment and a sense of community. In a recent study, 45% of workers agreed that ‘lack of contact time with their immediate team’ could impact their mental health in the workplace. These areas can be specifically designed to encourage collaboration and conversation, with comfortable seating and a relaxed atmosphere in convenient areas.
3. It helps maintain creativity levels
Encouraging employees to take coffee breaks throughout the day can help to improve productivity, reduce stress, and maintain creativity in the workplace. How? Coffee breaks tear down ‘corporate’ barriers and improve the exchange of ideas and information. In Nespresso Professional’s study, ‘Beyond A Beverage’, 53% of UK employees who drink high-quality coffee at work said they’ve had a creative idea during a coffee break.
4. It helps to retain talent (and attract more!)
60% of workers who feel cared for plan to stay with their current employers for three or more years, compared to only 7% who said they don’t feel cared for. What’s more, is that if potential employees see an employer cares about their team’s wellbeing at work (more than their current one), 59% of workers would take the job.
Coffee is a simple and cost-effective way to boost employee engagement and satisfaction in the workplace. By giving employees access to high-quality coffee, comfortable break areas or ‘Coffee Corners’, and an open platform to communicate, businesses can create a positive culture that puts wellbeing at the forefront. And this can lead to improved business outcomes.
