{"id":19265,"date":"2020-08-14T09:00:29","date_gmt":"2020-08-14T13:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.benefitscanada.com\/news\/editorial-company-culture-in-the-age-of-coronavirus-148789"},"modified":"2020-08-14T09:00:29","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T13:00:29","slug":"editorial-company-culture-in-the-age-of-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lifeinsurance-orleans.ca\/index.php\/2020\/08\/14\/editorial-company-culture-in-the-age-of-coronavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"Editorial: Company culture in the age of coronavirus"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jennifer Paterson<\/span> | August 14, 2020 <\/p>\n

C<\/span>ompany culture is a common term, but what does it actually mean?<\/p>\n

Though it\u2019s one of those non-tangible concepts that can be difficult to put into words, company culture is generally recognized as an integral part of how employees view and value their employer and their workplaces \u2014 and that\u2019s never been more true than in the current climate.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt we\u2019re all facing challenges as the coronavirus pandemic takes a toll on our professional and personal lives. But I\u2019ve also noticed how difficult it is to instil and reinforce a team and a company culture when I don\u2019t see my colleagues face to face every day. Emails and text messages can be misconstrued, tones misunderstood and, with all the added pressures, it can be difficult to actually realize that a colleague may have too much on their plate.<\/p>\n

Read: Employees favouring company culture, career progression over pay: survey<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

I believe the way leaders recognize and approach these challenges is directly related to company culture. Company-wide town halls, weekly team check-ins and regular one-on-ones \u2014 even though they\u2019re virtual \u2014 have never been more important. Whether formal or casual, these types of touchpoints can have a significant impact on how employees are feeling right now, helping them feel supported in their roles and less isolated than the inevitable stress, anxiety and uncertainty accompanying our current working-from-home environments. And consequently, they\u2019re also likely to feel closer to their employer and more closely aligned to the culture of the company.<\/p>\n

Numerous surveys have boasted about the importance of company culture. Indeed, a 2018 survey by Robert Half Canada found 40 per cent of Canadian workers wouldn\u2019t accept a job that was a perfect match if the corporate culture clashed and 90 per cent of employers said a candidate\u2019s fit with organizational culture is equal to or more important than their skills and experience.<\/p>\n

When I interviewed the human resources director and communications leader at Corteva Agriscience Canada, it was very clear how important culture is when an organization is essentially building itself up from scrap parts. In this issue\u2019s Employer Strategy<\/a>, the agriculture company shares its creation, from the merger of Dow Inc. and DuPont to its spin off into a standalone public company.<\/p>\n

Read: How Corteva Agriscience Canada transformed its culture after a merger<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

All that intensive change is bound to be complicated and confusing for employees. And, as Corteva learned \u2014 and as I\u2019m learning as well \u2014 it ultimately comes down to two-way feedback and communication.<\/p>\n

In the midst of any massive change \u2014 and indeed, during the current pandemic \u2014 it\u2019s so important for employees to feel connected to, and supported and protected by, their employer. This will lead to a sense of well-being and safety, but these feelings are also integral to infusing a sense of company culture into a workforce.<\/p>\n

Jennifer Paterson<\/a> is the editor of <\/em>Benefits Canada.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read the full article at BenefitsCanada.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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