Clifford Chance
Corporate and workplace culture have become important themes in recent times, whether in academic circles, amongst regulators or in the broader press. But what does it mean for your business? Is there a single standard "right culture"? How can you engage staff to instill the appropriate culture in your business?
Regulators, the press and stakeholders have focused on allegations of "bad culture" within businesses in recent times. There is no single "right culture" for all businesses. Identifying the appropriate culture should start by understanding the drivers and behaviours that a business wants to promote and the risks it needs to mitigate, and then implementing this through staff at all levels. Our corporate and workplace culture team can guide you through this area of growing importance.
Be clear on corporate culture
5 questions to ask yourself
What is the right culture for our business and our workplace?
There is no single correct culture to suit all businesses. Factors which will affect a business's culture will include its appetite for risk, its preference for process over discretion and its emphasis on individual decision- making. However, there is increasing pressure from the press, stakeholders, regulators and staff to maintain a culture of diversity and inclusion, freedom from harassment and oppressive behaviours (#metoo), remuneration that doesn't encourage bad behaviour and a culture that allows staff to speak up. Businesses should consider whether the approach by staff to these issues is consistent with what it considers the right culture.
