How important is a company’s culture to an employee?  “Culture” according to Wikipedia is “the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group”.    When looking at a new opportunity do we consider the culture of a company or do we focus more on what salary and company benefits are offered?

How do you know if your prospective company has the attitude, values, goals and practices that you are looking for? Do you look at the company’s employees or their clients?  Regardless of how you look at it initially, a company’s culture is just as important as the salary you are paid.  You are going to spend a considerable amount of your waking hours at work, so your work life is as important as your personal life.   You want to know that your career direction is aligned with those of your company. It is crucial that you and your co-workers share values and goals in order to have a positive culture regardless of what industry you are in.   Have those who are unhappy at work considered that maybe their company culture doesn’t fit them?

For me as an employee, our company culture provides an environment that is respectful, collaborative and career growth minded with a focus on work life balance.  I am confident that my peers will agree that these are just some of our shared sets of values. A company culture that is in sync with individual expectations is vital to a positive work environment.