Work culture of an organization is born out of the organization's strategic intent and values. The employees and management are key factors in creating a productive work environment. Before deciding a job a prospective employee usually looks into the work culture of an organization with a view to better align him into it. It helps in further defining his role in the organization and relations with the management. Diagnosing an organization's work culture is thus, an important decision making process.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India had sent a 13-member delegation comprising students from across the country to Karachi to explore the work culture in Pakistan. Around 750 students took part in this exchange program. A commendable sensitizing effort. Another work culture avenue that these students might instantly shy away from is that of a government office in India. Most government officers are perceived as notoriously lethargic. Seeped in bureaucracy the average Government office is known to make many an average citizen shudder in his or her shoes. The prospect of going to the local post office may even make a man or woman with the countenance and temperament of Attila the Hun actually cry.
American work culture is known to be more relaxed as there is no apparent hierarchy between managers and sub ordinates. The culture involves a lot of meetings which are viewed as discussions. Ideas are discussed, views are exchanged and objections are raised in an informal environment. The average American employee is very particular about time-management. They rarely work late or on weekends but they come to office early and leave on time. Employees are polite and friendly but do not tolerate any interference into their private lives. Schedules are flexible and getting work done is the most important thing.
If you are planning to move to France then you might be very happy to know that The French implement a 35-hour work week and allow generous vacations. But that also means you have to work harder and finish duties in a shorter time period. Furthermore, their minister is seriously looking into the benefits of allowing a nap on the job. Employees do their work with passion and integrity and are pretty efficient. The custom in some companies is to start the day by shaking hands with everybody in your office! That means the first ten minutes of each day are spent in shaking hands with everyone and exchanging banalities. Personal relations transcend business relations. People who retire or resign are invited to company parties and events even after they leave.
Vibrant at work: A commendable work culture should:
- Be stimulating not imposing: Should encourage imaginative thought and action.
- Be free from bureaucracy and unfounded control: Should be effective and maintain a balance between control and autonomy.
- Be relaxed and engaging: Should be fun and at the same time focus on complex business issues.
- Be sensitive: Understand the differences between disparate cultures and achieve uniformity of purpose
- Be flexible: Should be agile to adapt to changing business situations.
Our work provides us with a sense of responsibility and purpose, and money to fulfill our material needs. Apart from the duties involved and the remuneration, work environment is the third most important factor an employee considers to assess his job. A work environment conducive to productive work is hence, of great importance to the organization and the employee. Work culture stems from the general culture of the people themselves. The work environment is undoubtedly created by the employees and management of the organization.