By Samuel Jones

Australia has some of the most detailed and intricate workplace regulations in the world, spanning from the National Employment Standards to the Fair Work Act (2009) (FWA) and a variety of industrial instruments such as Modern Awards. The subsequent expectations and requirements set on employers can often feel overwhelming, and result in extreme anxieties within company management.

In the effort to meet all the legal expectations set out in these legislative documents, employers tend to forget an important factor that isn’t in these pages, that can often make or break a business – culture!

Despite its absence in legislation, the creation of excellent organisational culture drives decision-making from the top down and is one of the most effective ways to ensure compliance and employee welfare within any business.

But what exactly is workplace culture, and what are some ways we can create and maintain it?

The culture of an organisation includes every aspect of that business; from the people, the work, the office space, and even the goals of the company. It sets out the values and standards for the entire body of an organisation and what will be tolerated by management.

By establishing a culture that promotes fairness and acknowledges employee happiness and satisfaction without compromising the importance of productivity, businesses have a solid framework from which all internal workplace relations decisions can be made. By making decisions that align with the framework, outcomes are much more likely to be compliant, both in terms of legislation and overall employee well-being!

Here are some tips to focus on when establishing and maintaining a positive and compliant workplace culture:

1. Your people and values

Employees within your business are without a doubt the key to creating and maintaining a positive culture. It’s the people that define an organisation and its values. Hiring and keeping people that maintain the values of your business is the best first step! Additionally, in the post-COVID world, it’s more important than ever to listen to employees and their needs. Companies should ensure they have a structure in place where employees feel heard and can reach out if they’re struggling.

2. Leadership starts at the top

Culture starts at the top. Ensuring the business has leaders that truly exemplify the values of the company can have a major impact on employees. In addition, it’s even more important in recent times to have leaders who understand employees’ needs and who can work to keep the employees happy and productive.

3. Moving in one direction

Whilst staff and leadership can promote the values of an organisation, the mission of the business and the core qualities it represents need to be there for people to refer to. This will establish the values within the business that employees can aspire to demonstrate.

4. Communication

In a world of ever-changing technology, our communication methods have shifted from primarily face-to-face to virtual. The way employers present these options to employees is vital. It’s important to nurture an environment of open and honest communication that not only maintains compliance but also builds trust.

5. Policies and procedures

Putting the expectations and values of a business in print is the best way to ensure every employee is on the same page. It’s also a great way to ensure compliance with modern awards and other legislative requirements and provides a framework for employers to fall back on.

Protect yourself, your business, and your people: how HR Assured can help?

Good workplace culture and compliance go hand in hand. To help you with any workplace compliance questions you might have, we’d like to offer you a FREE HR Health Check for your business. Our experts will complete a thorough evaluation of your HR that’ll help uncover any hidden risks before they become problems.

If any information in this article has raised any questions about workplace culture or you have another matter you need advice on, please reach out to our experts via our 24/7 Telephone Advisory Service.

Not an HR Assured client? If you’d like more information about the benefits of becoming an HR Assured client, contact us today for an informal chat.

Samuel Jones is a Workplace Relations Advisor at HR Assured and assists a variety of clients via the 24/7 Telephone Advisory Service. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychology (Honours).