The company does not have to choose between increased profit or the well-being of its employees. Often, by prioritizing one, the organization achieves both.

The organization’s culture is formed through the shared beliefs of every member, from management to the staff. It is dictated by the behavior of the leaders and then communicated to the rest of the workforce. Culture is present in most companies, regardless of their size or industry. Google has one, and so does Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, and the top companies around foster strong workplace cultures.

Learn in detail regarding how a people-oriented culture can benefit your organization for business growth and sustainability.

How company culture impacts employees?

Not a lot of people wake up in the morning, excited to go to work. One global poll found that 85% of all full-time workers are unhappy with their jobs. Only an abysmal 15 percent actually enjoy what they do. There are various reasons why people dislike their jobs. Some may not be passionate about their profession and are only doing it to earn a living. Others may feel that they are overworked and underpaid. Many are just stressed and tired because of long hours of grueling work.

There are, however, who are unhappy with their company culture. People in toxic working environments are likely to experience higher levels of stress, which impacts their life outside the office. Moreover, a toxic working environment has consequences on the productivity of workers and the quality of their output. It leads to burnout, lack of motivation, absenteeism, and a high employee turnover rate.

That is why companies should strive to foster a people-oriented culture within the workplace.

What does people-oriented mean?

When an organization is people-oriented, the management understands that treating employees with respect and showing appreciation for their hard work can lead to better outcomes. They make the well-being of their staff part of the priority, not an after-thought. Moreover, workers are considered to be valued members of the team.

There are many ways an organization can develop and emphasize the importance of people. They create opportunities for employees to grow professionally and move up the corporate ladder. Employees in people-oriented companies also enjoy generous benefits and compensation. Some companies have introduced a paid mental health leave of absence.

It is also reflected in how leadership treats employees. Here is one real-world example. Singapore’s Seah Moon Ming, current SMRT Chairman, has gained a positive reputation among staff and the people he has encountered through his job. He is known to be a very disciplined boss who is early to appointments. Moreover, he is kind to workers. He never hesitates to talk to them about issues within the organization. He respects everyone, regardless of title or position.

This kind of treatment motivates SMRT employees. It makes them feel that their hard work is valued by the organization they spend most of their waking hours toiling for. And, it trickles down. It creates a company culture that is kind, respectful, and overall positive.

How a people-oriented culture can benefit your organization?

There are various benefits for doing so. Young Singaporean workers are highly educated and globally competitive. Many of them are also looking for new opportunities to switch careers.

One survey from a few years ago revealed that 79% of Millennial workers are looking for another job. Moreover, they are not exactly looking for higher pay. While a decent income is important, it is not what is motivating them to stay in an organization.

Taking care of employees is a more effective way for employers to convince skilled young workers to stay. The company should offer them learning opportunities that will allow them to grow personally and professionally. Providing them a clear and rapid way to move forward with their career will also help companies gain employees’ loyalty.

Therefore, a people-oriented organization will see a lower rate of employee turnover, which will save time, resources, and money in the long run. According to experts, a company spends an average of US$1,252 (about SG$1684) on finding, hiring, and training a new employee. If employees leave frequently and the organization has to constantly fill a role, the expenses pile up. Moreover, it means losing a significant amount of time and productivity by keeping a position empty for too long while the company searches for a worthy replacement. It is cheaper and better for the company to try to retain the workers they already have.

If you work for a company or have a business of your own, you can wear enamel pins with nicely printed company or business names and pined it on your work clothes. Most companies offer custom pins to their employees to let other people know what company or business they represent, employees’ job departments, and names or the honorary title their team received in the company.

You can choose soft enamel pins or hard enamel pins, whose differences can be found on EnamelPins.com. Go visit it and make your own!

Employees who feel valued come to work to do their best. They begin to work toward helping the company reach goals and expand. They care about their job not just because they need the money but also because they understand the important role they play in the organization’s success.

All organizations across all fields and sectors must strive to be people-oriented. It leads to better outcomes. Moreover, workers remain happy and motivated because they are treated humanely.