The dos and don’ts of building a great workplace culture by Geoff Mutton

A large and growing body of research demonstrates that a positive work culture will lead to dramatic benefits for employers, employees and the bottom line.

Such a culture is essential for employee satisfaction and affects customer satisfaction. The benefits just keep adding up – better teamwork, increased productivity, reduced staff turnover. Employees prefer workplace wellbeing to material benefits.

Here are three dos and three don’ts to help cultivate a thriving workplace culture.

1. Do encourage continuous learning and development

One of the most effective ways to foster a positive workplace culture is to invest in the continuous learning and development of your team. Automotive technologies and repair techniques are constantly evolving, and the growth of EVs and hybrids will ensure that trend continues.

Some staff might need encouragement to attend training courses. It pays to spend time with staff to talk about the courses and the benefits that can accrue personally from acquiring additional skills.

Face-to-face training is the ultimate, but if there is a time issue, there are many online courses and webinars available across multiple subjects.

Encourage your team to share their knowledge with each other. After attending a training session, a team member should be invited to run through what they’ve learnt at a workshop session. This not only

transfers knowledge but will build stronger working relationships within the team.

2. Do promote open communication

Open communication is vital for a healthy workplace culture and absolutely critical in staff retention. When employees feel that their voices are heard and their opinions matter, it fosters a sense of belonging and trust. Encourage your team to share their ideas, concerns and feedback without fear of retribution.

Hold regular team meetings to discuss ongoing projects, address any issues, and celebrate successes. Create an open-door policy where employees feel comfortable approaching management with their concerns.

And most importantly, if you sense something is not right, address it quickly. Workplace issues rarely solve themselves and when left to fester can be the catalyst for employee turnover.

3. Do recognise and reward hard work

Recognising and rewarding hard work are essential for maintaining morale and motivation. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to go above and beyond in their roles and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

Implement a recognition program that celebrates employee achievements, whether it’s through verbal praise, bonuses, or other incentives. Make an effort to highlight individual and team accomplishments in team meetings. This not only motivates recognised employees but also sets a standard for others to strive toward.

1. Don’t tolerate negative behaviour

Negative behaviour, such as bullying, harassment, or gossip, can quickly erode workplace culture and create a toxic environment. It’s crucial to address negative behaviour promptly and take appropriate action.

Don’t ignore complaints or dismiss negative behaviour as ‘just part of the job’. Allowing such behaviour to go unchecked can lead to internal bickering and, ultimately, staff turnover.

Employee/workplace agreements should outline role expectations and the consequences of negative behaviour. If these are breached, it’s imperative that procedures are followed promptly to address any negative behaviour.

2. Don’t overlook work-life balance

In the fast-paced world in which we live, it’s too easy for business owners and employees to become grumpy and irritable. This just leads to decreased productivity, workplace mistakes and internal disagreements.

Business owners and employees need to take regular breaks and use up their annual leave throughout the year. Allowing employees to accrue excessive annual leave is not good practice. Where possible try implementing flexible scheduling options to accommodate personal needs and commitments. Some workshops have also successfully implemented a 4-day working week or 9-day fortnight.

3. Don’t micromanage your staff

Micromanaging is detrimental to workplace culture as it often lowers employee morale and can lead to a lack of trust. Business owners who scrutinise every detail of their team’s work are stifling creativity and taking away an employee’s ability to make decisions. This constant oversight can lead to increased stress, as team members feel they can never meet the high expectations set for them.

Trust your staff and allow them to do the job you employed them to do. If they make a mistake, point out where they went wrong and how they could have done it differently – but do it in a positive frame of mind. Sometimes it’s better to sleep on really big mistakes before taking action with the employee. In other words, take the anger or frustration out of it and a good result will be far more achievable.

Creating a great workplace culture in your workshop requires a proactive approach and a commitment to continuous improvement. By encouraging continuous learning, promoting open communication, and recognising hard work, you can foster a positive and productive environment.

Conversely, by not tolerating negative behaviour, not overlooking work-life balance and not micromanaging, you can avoid the common pitfalls that can undermine your efforts. By following these dos and don’ts, you should be able to create a workplace culture that benefits both your employees and your business.