Human Resources’ Role in Corporate Culture

Employee Recruitment and Onboarding is Key

Human Resources (HR) plays a key role in maintaining an organization’s culture, beginning with recruiting. In a recent article by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) discussing developing and understanding an organization's culture, HR “develops orientation, training, and performance management programs that outline and reinforce the organization’s core values and ensures that appropriate rewards and recognition go to employees who truly embody the values.”

What is corporate culture? Inc. Magazine says it best: “Corporate culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that characterize members of an organization and define its nature. Corporate culture is rooted in an organization’s goals, strategies, structure, approaches to labor, customers, investors, and the greater community."

During the recruiting process, it is imperative as an HR professional to keep organizational core values at the forefront. Each organization’s core values differ, and that is what makes the recruiting and interview process so vital in maintaining them. There are, however, some core values that are central to most organizations that should be a part of the recruitment, onboarding, and employee orientation process. Here is a general list of values and behaviors that you may want to consider when developing HR recruitment and onboarding formats, and employee orientation and education to support corporate culture.

Flexibility

It is good to understand how prospective employees may handle an unexpected situation. This will provide clues about how they react when encountering difficulties. Are they quick to adjust when things don’t go as planned, or when mistakes are made by coworkers or themselves? Their ability to be okay with change shows their flexibility, and willingness to be adaptable: skills that are necessary in any industry.

Integrity

Doing the right thing is imperative to a company’s culture. How are things handled when situations are in a gray area? Learn whether a prospective employee would speak up when they suspect something amiss. Transparency and trustworthiness are core values that exist in any great employee.

Knowledgeable

Are they up-to-date on industry standards, professional practices, skills, and certifications? Employees who are committed to constant learning and improving are most likely to keep up in a competitive workplace and world.

Authentic

Employees can sense when leadership is honest about the business and themselves. Put simply: When a culture is viewed as authentic, employees feel their leaders are being “real” with them. Conversely, employees should be confident in speaking honestly, while being respectful of coworkers and leadership. Another important piece of an authentic workplace is that professional and personal successes and milestones are recognized and celebrated.

Ambitious

Does a candidate have the ability to bring solutions? Do they have an “it’s only up from here” mentality? Employees who dream of moving on to bigger and better things within their company are people you want to keep around. Lofty goals for themselves mean advancements for your business, too.

According to a study by Deloitte Development, 94% of executives and 88% of employees believe that workplace culture is crucial to a business’ success. One way to make sure you are recruiting future employees who become a part of your organization’s success is to use a software solution like LightWork® Recruit and Onboarding. It is a powerful and flexible applicant tracking and recruiting software with a quick and easy set-up and implementation. Attracting and hiring top-level talent has never been easier or more efficient than with LightWork Recruit and Onboarding. To learn more about the value of a centralized recruit system click here.