One of the findings highlighted by workplace survey and analysis specialist JRA (NZ) in its analysis of data collected from more than 200 organisations and 37,000 New Zealand employees in 2008 was that while "best workplaces" were not only achieving higher levels of productivity and were typically numbered among the top-performing organisations in their sector, their staff were also reporting nearly 30 per cent lower levels of stress and 15 per cent higher levels of satisfaction with "work/life balance".
More evidence of the "win-win" benefits of building a great workplace, according to JRA general manager, Heather King. "One of the characteristics we see in all of our 'best workplaces' is the presence of a strong performance culture. High standards of performance are the norm, but this hasn't been achieved by managers standing over people with a big stick. On the contrary, these standards are sustained by the teams, and individuals within those teams themselves."
King sees this culture being reinforced constantly, starting from the recruitment of people into the organisation. "Right from the start 'standards', 'performance', and 'individual responsibility' are emphasised. These values are then reinforced during induction and orientation, again during training and development programmes, and of course recognised and rewarded constantly. Best workplaces have also created a very flexible and supportive culture - one where there's 'give and take' around work patterns, and where assistance is willingly offered if someone needs help. This helps greatly in terms of stress levels and balancing the pressures of work and life after work."
Analysis of the differences between "best workplaces" and "the rest" in JRA's database is revealing. With a proportion of "engaged" employees nearly double and "disengaged" employees half that of "the rest", "best workplaces" are rated highly by their people on performance culture indicators.
"Not only are employees rating these organisations much higher on things like feedback on performance and the fairness of that process, the recognition and celebration of performance, and rewards for outstanding performance, it's interesting to note that people in 'best workplaces' also give their employers the thumbs up for the way they manage poor performance," says King. "Managing poor performance is something most organisations seem to struggle with; however, 'best workplace' scores were around 50 per cent higher than the rest on this measure alone."
JRA is running the JRA Best Workplaces Survey in association with the Herald. The survey is available June 1 to August 31, with registrations being taken now.
Take part in the Best Workforces survey 2009 The JRA Best Workplaces '09 survey is run in association with The New Zealand Herald
