Values
in the Workplace
Nancy
Hatch Woodward
Pick
up any newspaper and you'll probably find a story about another
company involved in some kind of scandal. If it's not the
mortgage debacle, it's hiding the negative side-effects of
clinical drug trials or some other unsavory business practice.
Most
of us want to work for a company that has a moral compass,
which is why more and more companies are clarifying their
values and using them as a guide for doing business. There
are solid business reasons for doing so.
First,
the workplace is changing rapidly. Employees are exposed to
more information than ever and sometimes have to make snap
decisions. A strong value system can provide guidance for
making these decisions. The workplace is more diverse than
ever; having shared values strengthens the bond between people.
In addition, having a statement of values will help to build
employee morale and trust.
What
are your values?
The
first step is identifying which values are important to your
organization. Talk to employees and executives to find what
values they share.
Once
you've gathered everyone's ideas, write a value statement.
Make it broad enough to cover most aspects of the business,
while not making it so detailed it's hard to follow. Specifically,
the values should consider:
- How employees
should be treated
- How business
is conducted
- How customers
are treated
- How the company
translates its values in the community
The
statement should list four or five values and how they are
translate to the workplace. For instance, if you list “Integrity,”
it should be followed with a statement, such as: Employees
are expected to do their best work, be honest, and uphold
the values of the workplace.”
Incorporating
values into the workplace:
- Not only educate
employees about the value statement, but also how these
statements guide their work-life.
- Review the
day-to-day realities of the workplace to see what changes
may need to be made.
- Train managers
on how to model the values of the organization.
- Make
sure your rewards encourage adherence to your value statement.
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Reproduction
of this article cannot be accomplished without the expressed
consent of Human Resource Staffing. Don Schmitz is a popular
speaker and writer on all aspects of HR and CEO of Human Resource
Staffing. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration
and Human Development.
Contact Don@HumanResourceStaffingInc.com
952 854 6040
