What Does a Respectful Trusting Workplace Look Like?

A respectful workplace is one where all employees are valued, recognized, treated fairly, have clear expectations, and work harmoniously. It is an inclusive environment where ideas are acknowledged and celebrated, communication is open, conflicts are addressed early and resolved, and where there is a shared mindset around the organization’s values and policies.

Tips to Create and Maintain a Positive and Respectful Workplace Culture

A respectful workplace culture is key for building on a company’s success and brand. A positive workplace where employees treat one another with respect and courtesy is far more likely to operate at high levels of productivity. A workplace where employees feel disrespected is likely to experience high rates of turnover, low levels of productivity and engagement, and decreased morale. Employees who experienced rude or disrespectful behavior at work intentionally decreased their work effort, spent less time at work, decreased the quality of their work, and are less committed.

5 Tips to Create and Maintain a Respectful Workplace Culture

Creating a culture of respect and respect starts at the top. Leaders must define, communicate, and model the types of behaviors that their organization embraces, as well as articulate those it will not tolerate. Shifting the current culture and behaviors of a workforce is not something that will happen overnight, therefore, it’s important that you have a clear strategy in place to build a respectful, harassment-free culture. Here are Five effective steps to build a culture of respect in your workplace.

1. Define the Culture

Step one in building a respectful workplace culture is to define it. Determine the core values, valued behaviors, and engagement levels you desire in your organization, as well as those you will not tolerate. Once the desired culture is outlined, you will need to assess your current work culture to identify the gaps. Knowing what your culture looks like today is necessary to develop an action plan to cultivate the respectful workplace culture you desire.

2. Lead by Example

Leadership has a strong influence on how people behave. As a leader of your organization, you need to model and encourage the behaviors you seek as well as act when inappropriate conduct occurs. Love the quote “you cannot, not communicate”.   Leaders are always communicating by example.

3. Involve Your Employees

Culture is shaped by the beliefs and behaviors of the work force. While leadership sets the tone, employees contribute to the organizational culture. When employees feel valued and included, they are more engaged, productive, and committed.

Involve your employees by sharing plans and asking for their feedback. Provide opportunities to share what’s most important to them in a workplace environment, how they want to be recognized and rewarded, and how they prefer to communicate. This will promote a transparent and open culture which allows you to understand how your employees view your culture and can bring to light issues you may not be aware of. Engaging your employees in the culture shaping process goes a long way in earning their trust as a leader.

4. Provide Training

Educate employees on identifying and preventing harassment in the workplace, seek out additional training opportunities that focus on creating a culture of respect in your workplace. The purpose of training is to equip all levels of employees with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to cultivate a civil and respectful workplace.

5. Check in Regularly

Your culture is a living, breathing part of your organization that develops and changes over time as your business grows. To maintain a positive culture, your organization’s core values need to be lived day in and day out by everyone.  It’s essential especially with new employees entering your company to keep an active pulse on the behaviors, perceptions, and concerns of everyone in the organization to ensure you’re maintaining a positive workplace culture. Regularly send out employee surveys, allowing employees to anonymously provide their feedback and opinions.

By implementing these tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a respectful workplace where everyone feels they are an integral part of the company and are committed to the organization, its values, and goals.

If honesty, integrity, and respect were built, practiced, and strengthened in every aspect of our lives, we would experience the core practices needed for repairing broken trust in our world. Looking at ideas and stories through a theological lens helps us to trust God and others.