What Makes a Great Workplace? Elements and Characteristics

What is a Great Workplace?

A great workplace refers to a positive environment where you go to work every day. It is a place where you feel respected where your contributions are appreciated and where you enjoy friendly interpersonal relations with your colleagues as well as with your employers.

Elements of a Great Workplace:

A great workplace is a contribution of several elements working together. For most people, a great workplace would consist of:

Safety:A safe space where you can contribute your ideas and thoughts without feeling threatened or anxious.

Good Relationships:Where you can enjoy great interpersonal relationships with your employers, your co-workers and the staff working in the office.

Appreciation:Where you are appreciated for your contributions towards the company.

Protection:Where you feel safe and protected to work.

Pride:Where you feel immense pride in working.

Compensation:Where you are adequately compensated for your contributions.

Recognition:Where you are recognised for your good work and given due credit, you deserve.

Trust:Where you have trust and faith in the people who you are working for.

Respect:Where you feel respected by the staff, your peers and your bosses.Combining these above factors, you can create a great working environment for yourself as well as for your staff.

Characteristics of a Great Workplace:

1. There is open communication:

One of the greatest characteristics of a workplace is one where you can enjoy transparent and open communication.
Do you feel like your words are validated at your workplace?
Do you get a fair chance to share your thoughts, ideas and opinions without the fear of being reprimanded?
Can you go up to those in higher authority and discuss an issue which has bothered you?
If YES, then congratulations, you are working at a great workplace!

2. A good work-life balance:

A great workplace is not just measured by how much you contribute at your workplace. It is also important for you to keep a work-life balance.
This means that you ideally should not be taking your work back home and working on the weekends. Know when to say ‘NO’.
An ideal work-life balance signifies that the office is a great workplace that knows how to take care of their employees’ needs without overburdening them.

3. Practice teamwork, indulge in individuality:

One of the main characteristics of a great workplace is one that imbibes in all their employees a sense of teamwork. You should feel comfortable to work in a team with your co-workers. There should be no feelings of negativity; rather, everyone should work in unison towards a specific goal.
However, a great workplace is also one which allows you to showcase your individuality. Maybe you have a unique idea to contribute towards this team project. If you are working at a great workplace, you will feel comfortable to share this idea with your other team mates.

4. Enthusiasm and team spirit:

Does your workplace have great team spirit amongst the employees?
Does everyone feel happy and positive working with each other in team projects?
These are some of the signs of a great workplace. Everyone at the office is actively working towards the same goal.
You all may have different ambitions, but in order to reach those ambitions, you need to work together as a team to achieve set targets.

5. Fun:

A great workplace cannot be simply characterised by the outputs and profits made by the company. It is also an environment which you look forward to visiting every day.
Being on good terms with your co-workers is one thing, but developing workplace friendships is much more special. You should also know how to have fun at your workplace. If your workplace seems like an ‘all work, no play’ situation, then you should be worried.

6. Great people:

A great workplace is one that is made up of great people. If your workplace consists of all the top workers, hardworking individuals with creative minds and dynamic personalities, you are definitely working at a great workplace.
A good company will hire and retain such people who can outshine in every aspect of their work and their life.

7. Training and development:

A great workplace will actively invest in its employees training and development. The company wants you to continuously upgrade your knowledge and skills to perform to your optimal level at the office.
In order to do so, your company creates the time, effort and opportunity for you to grow and develop your skills. An environment in which you are always learning new things and upgrading your knowledge can be considered a great workplace.

8. Health and welfare:

Your company should be investing not only in upgrading your skills and knowledge, but also in taking care of their individual employees. They do this by investing in your health and wellness by offering you wellness options.
These options make you to inculcate a healthy lifestyle and a great chance to be fit, healthy and positive.

9. Great leadership:

A great workplace is one that is led by great leaderships. If your managers and bosses have great leadership qualities, respect all their employees.
Genuinely take an interest in their welfare and performance. A good relationship between employees and their leaders consist of mutual respect, open communication, honesty and support.

10. Give back to society:

A great workplace can also be characterised by how much they give back to the community. The workplace should inculcate a habit of giving into their employees. They can do so by donating their resources to charity and serving the community by helping those in needs.



Source: /content.wisestep.com