Results of Recent Deloitte Survey

New Study Reveals Workplace Divide

Deloitte, a 2012 FORTUNE Best Company to Work For®, recently released its results on Culture in the Workplace. Over a thousand U.S. employees and approximately 300 executives were surveyed on a number of questions related to workplace culture.

The most significant finding was a wide gap between management and employees on what affects workplace culture:

Executives reported financial performance (65%) and competitive compensation (62%) as the most important elements that impact culture. This belief that employees are mostly motivated by money was quickly rebuffed in the same study; employees were asked the same question, however they ranked those factors at the very bottom. Less than a quarter of employees surveyed believe that financial performance affects workplace culture.

Instead, employees say they need regular and candid communication (50%), employee recognition (49%), and the ability to speak to management (47%) in order for them to thrive in a successful workplace culture.

These insights show a gap in views between employees and their leaders. However, armed with these facts, management can begin bridging that divide, and they can do so by building a culture of trust. Find out what your employees are thinking with the Trust Index© Employee Survey, the most extensive employee survey in corporate America and the primary research tool for assessing and rating organizations that appear on the annual FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list.

Kelli Marjolet is the Marketing Manager and a blogger for Great Place to Work®.

Kelli Marjolet