How to Develop an Effective Workplace

by Matthew Schieltz, Demand Media

For a company to stay efficient as well as competitive within its industry and in the eyes of its employees, it needs an effective workplace. An effective workplace goes beyond the structural and hierarchical supports that serve an organization and focuses more on developing the people who make it up. For example, two important principles include communication and relationship-building. Developing this type of company atmosphere takes time, but both small and large companies can reap the rewards an effective workplace provides.

Step 1

Hire individuals who match the organizational culture. Administer personality tests during the recruiting and selection process to determine whether candidates make a good match for your company. Personality testing attempts not to discriminate against job candidates, but to tell you the work preferences and attitudes of the people you're about to hire. For example, it may help you identify individuals likely to exhibit deviant behaviors, such as theft. Administering such tests may also reduce your turnover rate.

Step 2

Develop workplace ethics training programs for employees and management. Create real-life scenarios that demonstrate what constitutes discrimination, sexual harassment and prejudice in the workplace. Focus your training program not only on applicable laws and rules, but also on workplace values, such as the benefit of diversity and principled behaviors.

Step 3

Teach managers and supervisors how to become transformational leaders in the workplace. Managers and supervisors who offer support, encouragement and motivation help develop employees' creative performance on the job, according to a 1996 article by Oldham and Cummings in "The Academy of Management Journal." For example, supervisors can offer social and emotional support, take time to listen and understand employees' feelings, allow employee involvement in decision-making and offer freedom during work activities.

Step 4

Focus on team-building in the workplace. Gather personality test results to figure out each person's communication style, preferences, strengths and weaknesses. Structure your team according to the communication styles of each team member. For example, some people interact more as leaders, some as motivators and some as achievers. Build your team by matching one person's weakness against another's strength.

Step 5

Create workplace rules aimed at improving communication among employees. Teach employees about the differences and how to understand and accept others' way of communicating. For example, employees who are introverts communicate differently than those who are extroverts. Some people use logic and reason when making decisions, while others use a value system and all points of view to make decisions. Teach strategies for dealing with workplace conflicts and misunderstandings.

Step 6

Institute human resources management policies the support the practice of a flexible workplace. Flexible work arrangements help employees juggle the responsibilities of both work and personal obligations and can lead to more satisfied, dedicated employees, according to 2002 research by the Families and Work Institute. Flexibility in the workplace includes allowing employees to work from home, take time off during the workday to address family matters, have substantial control over work hours and work part-time or full-time.

Step 7

Design an employee wellness program that targets all aspects of your employees' health needs. According to the Wellness Council of America, designing a comprehensive wellness program helps reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and lower employers' costs for health insurance premiums. Assess the needs of your workplace by reviewing health claims, absenteeism rates and disability data, and by asking employees to participate in an interest survey. Build a program centered around these needs and interests. For example, you can subsidize gym or fitness center memberships, sponsor health fairs, and offer free health screenings, self-help materials and incentive programs to encourage and reward employees for healthy behaviors.

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