What Are Workplace Values?
Workplace values are the principles, priorities and standards that influence how people believe work should be done and how they expect to behave within a work environment.
They can include values such as integrity, respect, excellence, collaboration, autonomy, accountability, innovation, fairness, service, learning, stability and transparency.
Values exist at multiple levels
Workplace values can exist at both the individual and organizational level. An employee may personally value autonomy and flexibility. An organization may strongly value structure, consistency and close supervision.
Compatibility matters
Neither preference is automatically wrong. The important question is whether there is enough compatibility for the person and organization to work effectively together.
Values are more than words
An organization may say that it values innovation. But if employees are punished whenever they experiment, the lived workplace experience may communicate something different. This is why workplace values should be examined through behaviour, decisions, policies, leadership and everyday practices.
Why they matter to individuals
For an individual, understanding workplace values can help answer an important career question: "Is this environment compatible with the way I want to work and what matters to me?"
Why they matter to organizations
For organizations, understanding workplace values can help with talent attraction, retention, engagement, leadership and workplace fit.
Discover the Values That Drive You
Penagix helps you identify the core values that shape your ideal workplace environment.
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