A guide to building workplace culture

Discover if your workplace culture is on the right track, and learn about the ways you can improve it.

This guide helps you to recognise what:

your workplace might look, sound and feel like when there is a great culture in place
some of the warning signs might be if your workplace culture needs improving.

Last updated: 21 July 2023

On this page

What is a positive workplace culture?

A positive workplace is a productive and great place to work. Workplace culture refers to the values, attitudes and beliefs that people in your workplace share. These shared values will have usually existed in the business for a long time and will influence the attitudes and behaviour of your team. Your workplace culture is heavily influenced by your leaders and managers.

Whilst every workplace is different, there are some things that workplaces with a positive culture have in common.

Use this guide to notice when your company culture is on the right track, and to learn about more ways you can build it.

Signs of a good workplace culture

When the company culture is good, you may notice these things:

Low employee turnover and low absenteeism

If people love where they work, they don’t want to leave.

What does it look/sound/feel like when it is going well?

People stay at your company for long periods of time.
There are low levels of absenteeism – generally staff show up for work when they are scheduled to do so.
People use their leave appropriately – i.e., take sick leave and annual leave as needed.
Offboarding interviews are conducted and actioned.

What are some of the warning signs?

People don’t stay with your organisation for very long, so you are always having to fill roles.
People don’t spend time getting to know one another as they don’t think it’s ‘worth it’ as people may not be around for long.
You don’t have a clear idea of why staff are leaving and what is making them unhappy.

High levels of engagement

Engaged people are motivated and feel connected with their work and workplace.

What does it look/sound/feel like when it is going well?

People are talking to one another whilst they are at work, and not just about work-related things.
People feel proud to work for your company. They talk in a positive way about where they work to people outside of the business.
Wins and achievements, big or small, are celebrated and recognised.
Opportunities to provide feedback such as staff surveys are conducted and actioned.

What are some of the warning signs?

People do not want to engage with each other, apart from when it is necessary for work reasons.
People are not talking with each other.
There is a ‘tense’ feeling in the workplace. It does not feel relaxed.
Team members do not recognise or celebrate others’ success.

Tips for building good workplace culture

Here are things you can do to build a good company culture, and how to tell if you’re
on the right track:

Promote clear company values

Company values are the beliefs and behaviours that define and drive your business.

What does it look/sound/feel like when it is going well?

Every member of staff knows what the company values are and how to act in line with them.
The values are advertised, for example on posters in the break room, or on the walls of the office.
New team members are introduced to the values during induction.

What are some of the warning signs?

People do not know what the values are.
People do not operate in line with the values.
People do not feel part of a team that share the same values.
Reports of bullying or discrimination are lodged.

Invest in people / opportunities for growth

Great workplace cultures support the growth of staff.

What does it look/sound/feel like when it is going well?

Relevant training for people in all roles.
Staff grow new skill sets and gain promotions within your business.
There are clear career development pathways for roles.

What are some of the warning signs?

People complain about lack of development opportunities.
Staff are operating outside of their skill level as they have not been provided with basic training for their role.
People leave to pursue career growth and development elsewhere.

Practice good communication

Good communication is an essential element of a positive workplace culture.

What does it look/sound/feel like when it is going well?

Managers give frequent feedback on performance.
Team members communicate with each other in a clear and courteous way.
People share ideas openly.
Managers are approachable and actively seek feedback and input from staff.
Feedback is welcomed and taken on board with different channels available e.g. surveys, access to HR, meetings between staff and higher levels of reporting.

What are some of the warning signs?

Staff ignore one another or engage in mean-spirited competition.
People do not share important information, meaning others cannot do their roles effectively.
People are quiet and don’t engage with others.
Outcomes are not achieved or take longer than planned.

Make opportunities for connection

Formal and informal connection helps to provide support for your staff.

What does it look/sound/feel like when it is going well?

There are morning teas, lunch time get-togethers and celebration events that people participate in.
Staff take the initiative to organise and plan these events and most people want to and do attend.
Staff know what formal supports are available and utilise them e.g., EAP, mental health resources and tools.
Managers talk to their team members about wellbeing on a regular basis.

What are some of the warning signs?

There are few or no social events, or they are poorly attended.
Staff are unaware of the supports that are available to them.
Managers feel ill-equipped to have wellbeing conversations with their team members, and possibly avoid these types of conversations.
There is a sense that people ‘don’t’ care’ about each other e.g. staff eat lunch at their desks or alone.

Create an environment of inclusivity and respect

Everyone should feel involved, safe and equal at work.

What does it look/sound/feel like when it is going well?

There is a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for bullying and harassment. The policy is called out and acted on with a clear process for reporting and investigating incidents.
People ‘get along’ and tend not to have ongoing disagreements.
Conflicts are minimal and are dealt with before they escalate.
People feel safe to speak up, raise concerns or ask for help.
People feel they can ‘be themselves’ at work.

What are some of the warning signs?

There is a divided workforce and ‘cliques’.
People don’t trust each other, and so are not open and transparent with each other.
Staff feel left out or isolated. People may even feel anxious about being at work.
Whispering, side glances and passive aggressive comments.
Bullying or harassment is reported.

Demonstrate good workload balance

Workload balance allows employees to have a healthy balance between work and other aspects of their lives.

What does it look/sound/feel like when it is going well?

People take breaks and generally go home at the end of their day or shift on time.
People can mostly complete their work within the timeframes expected.
Flexible work is supported.

What are some of the warning signs?

People work through their breaks.
People often come in early and leave late.
Complaints are made about workloads.

Create a safe physical environment

A safe and pleasant physical workplace contributes to a positive culture.

What does it look/sound/feel like when it is going well?

Fixtures and fittings are safe and well maintained.
Lighting is adequate and at the level needed for the type of work required.
There is a dedicated break area which is equipped with reasonable facilities e.g. tea/coffee making and a fridge to store food.
People like spending time in the work environment.
There is a WHS policy in place which includes reporting incidents and near misses.

What are some of the warning signs?

There are physical safety hazards.
There are physical safety incidents.
People do not use breakout or meal areas.
People leave the premises as much as possible.
People do not feel physically safe at work.

Next steps

Continue to monitor good or bad workplace culture through having effective 1:1 conversations, employee surveys, staff turnover data, staff exit interviews and feedback from new staff.

You can encourage changes that support good workplace culture and work towards addressing bad workplace culture with these next steps: