How to identify an ideal work environment

Your work environment plays a huge role in how successful you get to become in your career path. It is also capable of ruining your progress, as it includes all the elements that could affect your growth and productivity as a whole. But how do you know when you’ve found a job with an ideal work environment?

The ideal work environment is one whose business structure, core values, and physical features are favorable to an employee’s development and functionality in their respective line of work. 

An organization with a positive work environment ensures that employees feel safe, be more productive, have healthy workplace relationships, and explore their full potentials without discrimination or threat to their physical and mental well-being.

Since we now live in a fast-paced business era, it is only right that we become a part of an organization that makes it possible to keep up with that pace.

• The 3 major elements of an ideal work environment

• 1. Physical environment

The physical environment includes the building structure, workspace, size, layout, and all the attached fittings and fixtures. The physical environment is the first observable element that every employee gets to see as soon as they walk into the organization.

It ranges from the walls' color to the level of comfort each piece of furniture brings, and back to how appealing your workstation's view is. The physical environment is also the first deciding factor that’ll help prospects determine if a workplace feels a lot like home.

2. Company culture

The company culture describes the mode of operation a company has chosen to adopt. It refers to the policies and regulations that govern how employees interact with each other, especially when carrying out tasks. This element directly influences the way employees, customers, and other organizations perceive your company.

The corporate culture of an organization will help employees determine how well they can survive in a company. It also helps them see if the company's core values in question are in line with their personal values. 

As a matter of fact, this element gives them a clearer view of their future at that company, as it draws a line between what they can or can’t condone. 

3. Woking condition

The work condition refers to the agreement made between employer and employee on the terms of work. It is a reflection of how well the company appreciates the input of its employees. The work condition includes salaries, benefits, work hours, training programs, and promotion structure of an organization. 

This element consists of all initiatives and activities that display an organization’s effort to create a healthy workplace for its employees.

Why an ideal work environment matters

Boost up productivity levels

You are able to perform better when you’re generally comfortable and happier at work. In the right environment, tasks are done more effortlessly, for the most part. 

Generally, an ideal work environment possesses the necessary tools needed to complete tasks in a quick and result-driven manner. 

Foster positive attitude towards work

In a positive work environment, undoubtedly, you will feel more motivated to do your jobs. The ideal work environment serves as a mood booster, as you are more excited to be at work than expected. Even more, the cheerful spirit of your surrounding colleagues will eventually rub off on your negative feelings and thoughts.

Enhance collaboration in teamwork

Working together as a team becomes easier in a work environment where you are respected and treated equally. You are also more expressive and eager to build healthy work relationships in a company that discourages discrimination and encourages open communication across all departments.

Avoid job hopping and uncertainty in your career path

At a certain age, you will find it important to dedicate yourself to a company for a long time, instead, change jobs frequently. We all know that when you work for a company, for example, in more than 5 years, you get much more benefits and rewards compared to newbies in the company. Hence, an ideal work environment is one of the decisive factors to drag you back and work with them for a lifetime value.

• Steps to finding your ideal work environment

1. Pay close attention to every detail in the job description

The hint to each work environment element is unintentionally hidden in the job description. So, you must read line-by-line. In the job description, you’ll get an idea of the mode of operation, atmosphere, and the level of physical comfort the company has or is willing to offer. You can also predict what the company culture is like depending on the employer’s expectations and demands stated in the job description.

2. Gather resources about the company online

These days, most companies are focused on building an online presence. You can quickly get to know their history, mode of interactions, mission & values, and company events through social media, a review website, or their official website.

There is also a possibility that you’ll find images of the physical environment and see if it’s the right fit for you.

3. Use the interview session to your best advantage

Do not hesitate to ask questions at the interview, it is the only way to get honest answers to your questions without having any first-hand experience. While doing your research online, you need to highlight areas that bother you or seem unclear and then present them as questions to your interviewer. Not only do you get an interactive interview session with this approach, but you also get notable insights into their business operations, available tools, and reactions to employee inconvenience.

4. Take a tour around the physical office and converse with other employees

After a series of interviews, some employers offer to give their prospects a peek at what it’s like working at their company. You should, without a second thought, accept that offer, as it will give you a clearer view of what the company is really like. 

Meeting with some employees is also critical to this tour. It makes it easier to tell if the employees are actually happy at their workplace.

5. Read online review

Just like buying a product, you can read reviews from past employees to see if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Keep in mind the negative reviews, it’ll help you analyze how well the company’s work style meets your expectations.

6. Read through your employment contract and introductory documents

Once you’ve been shortlisted and the company proceeds to send you an offer letter, ensure you review the introductory documents that indicate the conditions you’ll be working under. Included in these documents are your pay rate, work hours, and duties, you’ll also need to review these details and see if they tally with previous discussions and agreements.

You also need to read the company handbook to understand the policies that govern the company’s operations. If there are any unclear terms and conditions in your offer letter, you should raise it up to the HR in charge before putting in your signature. 

7. Pay attention to how the onboarding process makes you feel

Your experience as a new recruit for the first couple of weeks can help you determine if the company’s work environment suits you. According to an onboarding survey by BambooHR, 68% of employees left their jobs after three months, and the nature of the onboarding process impacts these numbers. So, observe how comfortable you are and how well you’re treated for the first week or month before giving the company your full dedication. 

• Increase your success rate with a positive work environment

The ideal work environment positively impacts and increases your chances of becoming successful in your industry. From work flexibility to a competitive salary, working in a positive work environment motivates you to be the better version of yourself. 

However, you must know that what we all know as an ideal work environment is subject to change over time according to your age. Sometimes, you can know if this company culture is matching with your expectations in the first week or the first month. Listen to your heart!.