Browne & Mohan consultants conducted a survey on what factors constitutes the best workplace or a place where employees would love to work. Findings show three aspects which influence an organisation to move towards being a 'lovable workplace'.
1. Browne & Mohan
Board & CEO Advisors, Management consultants
Lovable workplace: key insights
Amrita Rao, Human Resource Group
** all pictures shown above are proprietary of brand owners.
2. Introduction
What does it take for employees to come back to work Open door policies are much appreciated by the
happily on a Monday morning? What elements of a employees and they appreciate receiving equal and
workplace make an employee to willingly contribute more open information. In an organisational setup,
to her job? These are questions that have always intrigued employees prefer comprehendible communication
organisation theorists and management scholars for years. where they also can give out suggestions and opinions.
The recipe is something that all CEOs and entrepreneurs
dream of getting their hands on. Despite several years of Process refers to the general practices carried out in
research (both autobiographical and multi-organisational the organisations. Such practices make a lot of
surveys), the angelic proportions is a druid game; especially difference in the impression which the employees as
for the small and medium enterprises which face the well as the society have on the organisation. Timely
challenge of attracting brighter resources, higher attrition appraisals and an environment which supports
and engaging the employees in meaningful work. professional growth of the employees tops the list in
the survey which closely is followed by factors like
challenging work content, clear objectives, assigning
Towards filling this gap, Browne & Mohan consultants uniform work load, training sessions, awards given to
.
undertook a study of organisations that we termed as the employees, performance driven organisation and a
“Lovable places to work”. So what constitutes a loveable self-organisation which encourages the employees in
place? Any workplace that characterizes satisfied employees, taking initiatives. One of the lovable employers
wherein employees look beyond the clocks to embellish their commented- ‘Many employee friendly practices at
job content and experience, wherein employees look forward workplace help them maintain a work-life balance.
to improving and innovating their work and organisational
process and finally organisations that have been growing First and foremost factor is ideal team size to ensure
financially stronger and gaining market share is a lovable uniform work load. Other important factors like well-
workplace. defined processes and updated tools to reduce
duplication of efforts, excellent facility and
To manage the human resource in an organisation, it management to ensure employee safety etc.’
becomes important to know what is it that keeps them happy ‘Reviews and feedbacks on work constantly help the
in the organisation, what are the aspects which they love in employee improve. Various events that are organized
their company and those which they don’t. by the cultural committee are run by the employees,
Results hence we get to develop organizing and administrative
skills. These help the employees grow on both personal
Three facets emerge to define a “Loveable workplace”. Those and professional front’ was the response of an
are Communication, Process, Job Design and Infrastructure. employee when asked about the various practices
followed by his organisation for employee growth.
Communication in organisations can be at various levels.
Loveable organisations ensure their employees are constantly Continuous feedback on output delivered,
updated on all the work related information. Employees seek understanding training needs and periodic
good communication rapport between peers/ performance appraisal systems are some of the ‘best
subordinates/managers and also seek timely feedback which practices’ that have to be inculcated in organisations.
helps them improve their performance.
3. Job design had a major impact on how employees perceived News sharing sessions can be held where employees
their organization. In better performing organizations, inform the others in the group on the latest news.
employees were divided between doers, improvisers and Individuals with common interest may come as a group
innovators. Doers mostly followed the directions set, and have group discussions on various topics. This
completed the task with highest adherence to process and helps in bringing together the employees and also
hence preferred objective feedback on their performance. keeps everyone informed about the happenings in the
Improvisers were those who had gained experience on a organisation.
project or process and were capable of improvising the same.
Innovators were employees who could design newer process To best manage the processes in the company,
and products or suggest incremental innovation. Jobs with organisations may try out the recommendations below
challenging work content, clear objectives, assigning uniform
Give continuous/ spontaneous feedback on output
work load across peers, and continuous training sessions
delivered. It gives a clear idea to the employees on
were key to loveable employers. Activities designed to
how to carry forward the work and also on critical
stretch the administrative and managerial talent in an
areas which they have to stress upon to give out
informal set up also contributed to loveable workplace.
optimal performance.
Events where the employees themselves manage the activity
Employers must make an effort to understand
help the employees grow on both personal and professional
training needs for the employees. By providing
front. The key as one of the employee said in “making us do
training to the employees it increases the efficiency
something appear challenging and different in a week draws
of the employee and also give the employee a
out the monotony of the work”.
feeling of professional growth
Employees these days seek more than monetary incentives. Periodic performance appraisals for all levels in the
Some of it may be recognition, status etc. whereas some organisations are necessary. It helps the individual
other factors may be the facilities obtainable in their find their growth potential.
organisations. Gym facilities, sport/game rooms, library are Timely and appropriate actions to be taken on
the some of the facilities the individual seeks apart from the issues and definite weaknesses identified
monetary incentives they are provided with. They see their consistently and systematically at organisational
workplace an as extension of their personality as it is the level
place where they spend most time of the day. Good Identifying Doers, Improvers and Innovators in the
infrastructure in the organisation with ample facilities like organization helps in assigning appropriate roles to.
these ensures general well-being, employee health and also
education in many ways.
Infrastructure too has a major role in creating a loveable
How can you create a lovable place to work? workplace. Some of the infrastructural parameters are
listed below
Installing various intra-organisational online messengers
where employees can keep in touch with their co-workers ‘Good infrastructure’ is a subjective term. What
and managers. may seem like a good infrastructure to one
Multiple channels and opportunities must be used in organisation may not be the same for another. In
order to provide constant information to the employees general, organisations must be designed in a way
and also interact with them regarding various which supports organisation culture and work
issues/opinions. practices. It has to be designed in a way which
Firms where the employees do not have 1:1 computer helps employees in a distraction free work.
facility, may initiate floor meetings where individuals can Facilities like library, gym, sports room, and music
discuss their daily/weekly plans of action or the progress room are some of the attributes which may be
of their on-going project etc. After successful completion installed in workplaces which employs ‘knowledge
of a project, lunch or dinner party may be held to workers’ (which involves analyzing, creating,
celebrate etc. deciding etc.). These recreational activities not only
divert employees from their routine but lessen the
amount of work related stress an employee
undergoes.