Nobody likes to work in a negative, crappy environment. Not only is it not enjoyable in the slightest, but it’s difficult to excel, stay motivated and envision a future there. According to statistics, only 12% of workers leave their jobs for more money (via Forbes) – the majority leave due to some level of unhappiness in their present jobs. You may recall an article we wrote in the past titled “What Are The Signs Of A Toxic Work Environment?“. Today we’re talking about the antithesis of this – in this article, we’re exploring our top 10 signs of a positive work environment and what to look out for.
Signs Of A Positive Work Environment: Our Consolidated List
If you’re looking for a quick list, here’s our top 10 signs of a positive work environment to look out for. We’ll go into a bit more detail for each point in the following sections, click to jump ahead!
- Managers Actually Care About Your Growth & Success
- Everyone’s Voice Is Heard
- Responsibilities & Job Duties Are Clear
- Jokes & Laughter Are Allowed
- Upper Management Leads From The Front
- Employees Get Together Outside Of Work
- Protocol & Systems Are In Place
- Arguing, Fighting & Smack Talk Are Frowned Upon
- The Path Towards Promotions & Raises Is Straightforward
- People Actually Get Work Done
1. In Positive Work Environments, Managers Actually Care About Your Growth & Success
You know you’ve found a positive work environment when your boss actually wants to help you grow. Companies that want to grow themselves must also make sure their employees are getting exposed to training, experience and furthering their knowledge. Plus, management at good companies usually care about how their employees are doing – inside the workplace and out.
Read Next: What Qualities To Look For In A Boss? The Things My Favorite Boss Did
2. Everyone’s Voice Is Heard
We hear this corny-but-true expression all the time these days – “I treat the janitor and the CEO with the same respect”. This is a good thing of course, but how many people actually practice it? How many companies practice this?
A positive work environment provides the room for employees of any type to voice their concerns and provide their unique input. Whether this is done via one-on-one interviews or an open forum, it’s a sign of an open-minded workplace that’s always looking to improve.
Read Next: Being Direct In The Workplace, Without Being A Jerk: 10 Simple Steps
3. Responsibilities & Job Duties Are Clear
A surefire sign of a bad work environment is when employees are clear on what is or is not part of their job description. While there’s always going to be a little bit of grey area, an organized workplace will have a system in place to denote exactly who is responsible for what. This can take the form of a detailed job description, status bulletin or progress meeting.
When responsibilities and job duties are NOT clear, there will be confusion at a minimum. When mistakes occur, there will be blame, frustration and more. Job duties should always be as clear as possible.
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4. Jokes & Laughter Are Allowed & A Big Sign Of A Positive Work Environment
If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry. At least this is true for stressful and frustrating situations. When working in a positive work environment, humor, joking and camaraderie aren’t frowned upon – they’re usually encouraged. This positivity and optimism is the glue that holds a team together when times get tough. Negative work environments just get worse when it’s pedal to the metal.
Read Next: How To Stop Being Too Nice At Work: 12 Simple, Quick Techniques
5. In A Positive Work Environment, Upper Management Leads From The Front
Does the expression “rules for thee, not for me” apply to bosses? Do you hear a lot of “you need to…“s from upper management, yet they never deliver on their own responsibilities? This is a sign of crappy management that probably has a revolving door of employees working for them.
A strong sign of a positive work environment is when upper management is leading the charge. C-level executives at great companies clearly state their visions and company goals for all to see. Upper-level managers take ownership of their responsibilities and team. No one feels forgotten, abandoned or ignored when it comes to their individual position.
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6. Employees Get Together Outside Of Work
In negative work environments, employees are practically staring at the clock until it’s time to leave. As soon as the day is done, they just want to get out of there. In positive work environments, people don’t feel the impulse to sprint for the hills the moment they can. In fact, great workplaces often cultivate a bond between employees that makes them want to get together outside of work. Whether it’s to celebrate hitting a goal or just to unwind, socializing between employees outside of work is a sure sign of a positive work environment.
Read Next: How To Relax After Work: 10 Easy Ways
7. Protocol & Systems Are In Place
A well-run organization may not always be a fun place to work, but it at least functions well. Just as the military relies on standard operating procedure to guide decisions, tasks and processes, an efficient workplace relies on protocol and systems to operate smoothly.
Signs of a well-run workplace include a company manual, flowcharts, responsibility matrices, neatly organized files and scheduled meetings/deadlines. There are many more, but the point is clear – positive work environments are much more likely to flourish within an organized framework.
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8. Arguing, Fighting & Smack Talk Are Frowned Upon
If an office is full of yelling, gossip and chaos, it will not be a positive work environment. These behaviors usually stem from the top and are even encouraged in particularly nasty workplaces. While some don’t mind this, they’re the minority. The rest of us want to show up, do our jobs and go home in peace.
In positive work environments, these behaviors aren’t tolerated or accepted – they just to jibe with the the culture. These people don’t last long and are usually given an ultimatum – change or go.
Read Next: Is My Boss Manipulating Me? Here Are 12 Signs Of A Manipulative Boss
9. The Path Towards Promotions & Raises Is Straightforward
Following up section no. 1, a positive work environment will include a clear path towards promotions and raises. Nobody likes to do their job poorly, and most of us are interested in promotions and the raises that come with them. A good company will have a system for it’s employees to follow in order to achieve these things. Performance reviews are conducted regularly and feedback is given.
Working at a place with no clear future opportunities is anxiety inducing and not exactly motivating. It’s best to stay away from those workplaces when possible.
Read Next: Going To The Office On The Weekend: 5 Situations When It’s Beneficial
10. People Actually Get Work Done
Positive work environments actually allow people to get real work done.
First off, employees won’t be spending hours on useless meetings or redundant tasks – that in itself is a timesaver.
Positive work environments also provide motivation to employees. People who are happy at work actually want to get work done, especially if they have some passion and interest in what they’re doing.
Negative work environments are not inspiring – they’re depressing.
Read Next: How To Be More Efficient At Work: 8 Easy Practices
Signs Of A Positive Work Environment: In Summary
We spend over 2,000 hours per year at work, on average. That’s a lot of time! For this reason alone, it’s best to seek out a good workplace. By following the tips in this article, you’ll be able to spot the signs of a positive work environment right away. Thanks a lot for reading and I hope you’ve enjoyed.
