Culture – foster fairness, trust and teamwork

Workplace culture is about “how things are done” in an organisation. It includes the values, behaviours and expectations that shape people’s experiences at work. Culture has a powerful influence on wellbeing at work and in a lot of ways ties together the other themes we’ve explored. But what makes up a good workplace culture?

First, it is important for staff to feel appreciated. People are likely to experience positive wellbeing at work when they feel valued, respected and supported. Feeling appreciated for what you do can help make work feel more meaningful and rewarding. It can also strengthen people’s sense of belonging and connection to their team and organisation.

Fairness is another important part of a healthy workplace culture. People need to feel that they are treated with respect, that expectations are reasonable, and that decisions are made fairly. When people feel they are treated fairly at work, they are more likely to experience better wellbeing and less stress.

Trust is equally important. Feeling able to trust your organisation, managers and colleagues can help reduce stress and lower the risk of burnout. Trust grows through positive relationships, good communication and consistent support, which is one of the reasons why strong connections at work matter so much.

The culture of a workplace is reflected in the day-to-day work environment. The way people interact, collaborate and support one another can have a significant impact on wellbeing at work. Positive work environments are often characterised by cooperation, respect, fairness and a shared commitment to supporting one another, and everyone has a role in shaping this.

While it is important for the workplace culture to be steady and reliable, it doesn’t need to be rigid. People’s needs change over time and may differ depending on their role, experience and circumstance. The strongest cultures provide a clear sense of shared values while remaining flexible enough to respond to those changing needs.

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