Imagine a workplace where everyone looks forward to going to work every morning, collaborates with co-workers they truly appreciate, and works towards a common objective. This objective cannot be met in the absence of a positive workplace environment. Your workplace culture shouldn’t cause you more stress than it already does, even when your work may occasionally be difficult, stressful, or demanding.
6 Rays Of Positivity
The idea of waking up early does not sound really bad if you find yourself enjoying your time at work. Here are signs that you are in a positive working environment.
1. People Take Vacations
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People who work in good environments make the most of their flexible work schedules to relax and recharge. Flexible work schedules and paid time off foster trust between employers and employees. The freedom provided to complete tasks however that best suits the employees’ style reduces pressure among the employees. Regardless of whether they have any work to do, employees should feel free to take paid time off and secure enough to work when and where they are most productive.
2. Office Friendships Exist
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Imagine walking into your office with the sole reason to complete your work. Depressing, no? The key to staying happy in life is to make good connections with the people around us. The same concept applies to the working culture. When employees feel safe to make friendships flourish at work, those connections strengthen the positive culture. Not only low productivity but also absenteeism could be avoided in an organization.
3. Everyone Voice Out Their Concerns
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People feel comfortable discussing their personal life at work when there is a positive company culture. Employees are probably going to feel more at ease bringing up personal issues if a company values a sense of acceptance and belonging as well as a work-life balance. For some people, the workplace is their only place to socialize. It would be extremely beneficial for employees to be able to address their worries, whether work-related or not, with their colleagues.
4. Toxic Behavior Is Called Out
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Even in environments that appear to be positive on the outside, toxic behavior can still occur. Toxic behaviors such as gossip, bullying, discrimination, gaslighting, and micro-aggressions are never accepted in positive workplace cultures. Normally, we would not engage with toxic employees. However, in a positive workplace environment, those people will always be called out. Leaders should take the initiative to encourage their employees to report any misconduct to ensure peace in their workplace.
5. Meetings Are Efficient & Quick
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In an organization, meetings are necessary to keep everyone informed, but only if the time allotted for them is well-used. Over the past few decades, there has been a steady growth in the number of meetings held. A positive work environment can be created by showing respect for employees’ schedules and time. Hence, during meetings, avoid small talk and focus only on important details that need to be attended to.
6. Everyone Has Flexible Working Hours
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Benefits offered by the employer—such as flexible scheduling—are the most reliable indicator of a company’s positive work environment. Flexible working hours allow employees to do their work at times when they are most productive. This shows that the company trusts its employees to be responsible for their work and fulfill the assigned working hours regardless of when they start doing their work. As a result, work stress or burnout among employees could be avoided.
It is normal to be stressed with work. Sometimes, the workload, fear of failure, and pressure of performing well can get the best out of us. However, the culture of the workplace should not be one of the reasons for one’s work stress. Employers should at least cater to the need to make their organization a good place for their employees to ensure a positive and productive workplace environment.
