Work culture - Rau's IAS

Work culture is the total of an organization’s values, beliefs, and principles on one hand and orgaorganation’s ideologies and principles on the other.

Factors affecting work culture

History,
Product,
Market,
Technology,
Strategy,
Employees,
Management style, and
National culture.

An organisation is formed to accomplish specific goals and objectives by bringing people together on a common platform and motivating them to perform at their highest level. Employees must enjoy themselves at work to develop a sense of loyalty to it.

Workplace culture is critical in bringing out the best in employees and keeping them with the company for a longer period. The organisation must provide a positive environment for employees so that they can focus on their work rather than interfering with one another’s.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY WORK CULTURE (Generic)

Seven Constituents of healthy work culture by O’Reilly, J. Chatman and DF Caldwell

Innovation and risk-taking
- Attention to detailOutcome-orientedPeople-orientedTeam orientedAggressiveness

Other features of healthy work culture

Interpersonal relations
Timely work
Impartiality and objectivity
Participative decision making
Three-way communication
Punctuality
Cordiality and responsiveness
Performance evaluation and rectification
Motivated workforce
Productivity
Skill upgradation and career advancement
Conducive work environment
Quality service delivery
Stability and security.

Features of poor work culture

Inefficiency
Lack of accountability
Poor grievance redressal
Improper behaviour
Conflicts
Nepotism and favouritism
Low morale and motivation
Elitism
Red-tapism
Status-quo
Corruption and rent-seeking
Apathy
Work as burden

Reasons for poor work culture

Lack of performance evaluation
Job security
Process orientation
Lack of performance accountability
Seniority syndrome
Resource crunch
Poor training
Bureaucratic apathy

Ways to improve work culture

Pre-entry and mid-career training
Sensitive training
Public hearing
Feedback
Public service guarantee
Performance-linked pay
CCTV surveillance
Private sector participation
Leadership
Recognition
Accountability

Recent administrative reforms to improve work culture

360-degree performance evaluation
Performance management system
Biometric attendance
Gender empowerment
Citizen charter
e-governance
Lateral entry
Civil services award day
New India Manthan
PRAGATI (Proactive governance and timely implementation)

Some success stories

Ahmad Nagar-DC Anil Kumar ensured a single window system and scientific record keeping

ISRO

Passport seva Kendra’s

Google– Wholistic healthy work environment for its employees as it provides freedom in the workspace, resting area, free cafeteria

Bengaluru: Deputy commissioner of the southeast division in Bengaluru, selected nine police officials for best performance and awarded holiday packages.

Ways to Promote a healthy work culture

1. A positive work environment leads to happier employees and higher productivity.

2. Employees must treat one another with respect. Workplace conflicts and nasty politics provide no benefit to either.

3. Avoid partiality among employees as it results in demotivating employees. Employees should be judged solely based on their work. At work, personal relationships should take a backseat. Don’t give someone special treatment just because he’s a relative.

4. It’s critical to recognise and reward top performers. Praise your employees and tell them that you expect good work from them all of the time. Give them a hug and a pat on the back. Make them feel as if they are indispensable to their company. Instead of criticising those who did not perform well, ask them to pull their socks up for the next time. Instead of firing them right away, give them another chance.

5. Encouraging workplace debates is a good idea. Employees must talk about problems amongst themselves to come to better conclusions. Everyone should be free to express their opinions. Team leaders and managers must communicate with their subordinates regularly. Transparency is necessary at all levels for better employee relationships and healthy workplace culture. Manipulation of data and data tampering is strictly prohibited in the workplace. Allow the information to flow in the desired direction.

6. Employee-friendly policies and guidelines are required by the organisation. It’s simply unrealistic to expect an employee to work until late on his birthday. Employees should benefit from the rules and regulations. Employees are expected to maintain the organization’s decorum. At work, it’s critical to maintain a high level of discipline.

7. Avoiding Hitler’s approach (dictating juniors) rather bosses should act as mentors to their subordinates he should serve as role models for their subordinates. Superiors are expected to give employees a sense of direction and to guide them when necessary. The team members should be able to get to their boss’s cabin quickly.

8. Encourage employees to participate in team-building activities to strengthen their bonds. Conduct training programmes, workshops, seminars, and presentations to help employees improve their current skills. Prepare them for the difficult times ahead. They should be prepared in the event of unforeseen circumstances or a shift in the workplace culture.

Merits of healthy work culture

Creation of a unique identity of organisation-ISRO
1. Motivation to employees
1. Prediction of employee’s attitude

Demerits of work culture

Deep-rooted work culture may prove irrelevant in the changing scenario top-down approach is losing its relevance.
It can be a barrier to change for example resistance to change in bureaucracy.
Discourage members who may not fit into the work culture of the organisation to resign from Kannan Gopinathan.

How healthy work culture can be created

Seeds are sown by the founder or head
Reward/punishment
Periodic assessment of the skills of the employee
Outdoor activities
A balanced mix of formal and informal bonding among employees

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDIAN AND WESTERN WORK CULTURES

Parameter	Western	Indian
The Importance of Time	perfect work-life balance. They are very conscientious about their work schedules. They are punctual in their arrival, departure, and return to their personal lives.	In India, we are accustomed to arriving late to work and having to sneak into our offices and work until late at night to compensate.
The Colleague Relationship	A professional relationship is not only expected but also maintained. The office culture is strictly professional; only when they leave the office is a casual atmosphere observed	We quickly become friends in India. As a result, there is a level of interaction that goes beyond professionalism. As a result, India has not yet achieved that level of professionalism
The Break Routine	At offices in the West, health is regarded as a top priority. They believe that a positive work environment and proper mental health are essential for increased productivity. In the offices, psychological evaluations and group development activities are conducted regularly. Offices are rewarding their employees with yearly trips or fitness vouchers, promoting a healthy work-life balance. Creating a pleasant and productive work environment. This not only keeps the employee but also promotes the company through word of mouth.	• A one-hour lunch break is mandatory in India. This long break allows for long walks around the grounds. A 15-20 minute tea/smoke break has also been added to this, providing a space for mini gatherings between all employees either inside or outside the office building. This culture has its own set of benefits. It creates a work environment that lifts everyone’s spirits and lightens the competitive atmosphere.
Hierarchy	In Western countries, authority is rarely respected. A young person with the right knowledge can be promoted to the company’s highest positions. superiority will not be displayed, and everyone is expected to learn	In India, there has always been a hierarchy. Organizations, on the other hand, are now moving toward a more flat structure. There is no hierarchy here, which leads to increased efficiency. This creates a more welcoming atmosphere. Employees are also pleased because they are treated equally regardless of their position. Everyone works together in a dignified manner.
The Office Environment	At offices in the west, health is regarded as a top priority. They believe that a positive work environment and proper mental health are essential for increased productivity. In the offices, psychological evaluations and group development activities are conducted regularly. Offices are rewarding their employees with yearly trips or fitness vouchers, promoting a healthy work-life balance. Creating a pleasant and productive work environment. This not only keeps the employee but also promotes the company through word of mouth.	India is catching up to the advancement of the office environment. Indian businesses place a premium on team-building exercises.