Importance of Having a Family-Oriented Company Culture
July 6, 2023
by Michael Wilson
In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the value of having a family-oriented company culture can’t be replaced. A family-oriented company culture fosters employee engagement and plays an integral role in improving employee productivity.
Nurturing Productive Employees through Work-Life Balance
Employees tend to feel like cogs in a wheel if they do not perceive their organization as supportive beyond their professional life. This feeling can lead to decreased morale and reduced productivity. However, when companies communicate clear goals about promoting work-life balance, it increases workforce productivity by making employees feel valued and supported.
The Role of Effective Scheduling
Workforce management software, such as Legion WFM, allows organizations to optimize their scheduling processes, ensuring that employees aren’t overloaded with overtime hours that disrupt their family lives. By using smart algorithms, these tools ensure that each employee delivers optimal performance without compromising on their personal commitments.
Cultivating Engagement Through Company Culture
An engaged workforce is synonymous with increased productivity. A company culture that respects and promotes familial responsibilities leads to happier, more engaged employees who are likely to stay with the organization longer, thus reducing turnover rates while increasing overall output.
Impacts on Employees Without a Family-Oriented Company Culture
According to recent research by Gartner, although 86% of hourly workers believe it is crucial for their employers to view them as individuals rather than just employees, only 33% find it easy to find organizations that share this perspective.
Interestingly, half of the top 10 factors that attract frontline positions are directly related to flexibility in some form. This includes having greater control over work schedules, more stable scheduling, and flexible break times.
It is important for companies to recognize that they have various tools at their disposal to enhance flexibility for this vital segment of the workforce. This is backed up by our findings in Legion’s Seasonal Hourly Workforce Report, referenced below.
Survey Data From Legion’s Seasonal Hourly Workforce Report. Get the full report here.
- Reduced time with family: Working overtime can often mean a person has less time to spend with family members. This can lead to feelings of isolation and strain on relationships. 54% of survey respondents found this to be the greatest impact of their schedule not meeting their availability.
- Increased stress: Working long hours or irregular shifts can be physically and mentally exhausting, increasing stress levels. This can impact people’s ability to relax and enjoy their personal life. 2 out of 5 respondents to our survey indicated that they experience burnout from this.
- Lack of work-life balance: When a person is required to work overtime or has an unpredictable work schedule, achieving a healthy work-life balance is difficult. This can result in less time for hobbies, socializing, and other personal activities. This goes for both parents, and non-parents alike.
- Difficulty managing household responsibilities: When a person is working overtime or has an unpredictable work schedule, it can be challenging to manage household responsibilities such as cleaning, cooking, and caring for children. This can add stress and strain on family relationships — the most important thing you want to avoid with a family-oriented company culture.
- Reduced physical and mental health: Working long hours can hurt a person’s physical and mental health. This can lead to decreased productivity at work and reduced quality of life outside of work.
- Strained relationships with co-workers: If an employer improperly schedules staff, it can result in tension and conflict among co-workers. This can create a negative work environment and impact employees’ personal lives outside of work.
- Inability to attend important events: Working overtime or having an unpredictable work schedule can make it difficult for a person to attend important events such as family gatherings, weddings, or children’s school functions. This can lead to feelings of guilt, disappointment, and missing out on important moments.
- Financial strain: Working overtime may seem like a good way to earn extra income, but it can also lead to financial strain if someone cannot manage their time and resources effectively. This can impact their personal lives and relationships. Schedules not aligning with worker’s schedules causes 1 out of 3 financial strain in some regard.
- Negative impact on mental health: Working overtime or having an unpredictable work schedule can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and burnout. This can impact an personal life and relationships, making maintaining healthy connections with others difficult.
- Reduced productivity: When a person is overworked or has an unpredictable work schedule, it can lead to reduced productivity and quality of work. This can have a negative impact on their personal life and relationships, as they may feel like they are not achieving their full potential or meeting their expectations.
Impacts on Employers Without a Family-Oriented Company Culture
- Decreased productivity: Team members who are overburdened or have an unpredictable work schedule may be less productive and inefficient. This can ultimately impact the company’s bottom line and profitability.
- Increased absenteeism and turnover: Employees who are overwhelmed or have a fluctuating schedule at work may be more likely to miss work or quit due to stress or burnout. This can lead to increased absenteeism and turnover, which can be costly for the employer in terms of lost productivity and hiring and training expenses.
- Negative impact on employee morale: When staff members are overworked or have an unpredictable work schedule, it can lead to a hostile work environment and impact employee morale. This can lead to decreased motivation and lower job satisfaction, ultimately impacting the company’s bottom line.
- Increased risk of accidents and mistakes: Employees who are overworked or fatigued due to an inconsistent work schedule may be more prone to accidents and mistakes on the job. This can be costly for the employer in terms of potential liability and lost productivity.
- Legal consequences: If an employer improperly schedules staff, it can result in legal consequences, including wage and hour violations and other employment-related claims. This can be costly in terms of legal fees and potential damages.
- Reputation and brand image: If team members are overwhelmed or have an unpredictable work schedule, it can lead to negative reviews and feedback online or in the media, damaging the company’s reputation and brand image. This can ultimately impact the company’s profitability and ability to attract new customers or clients.
- Difficulty in attracting and retaining top talent: Top talent generally has higher standards for life (and, thus, work). If employees are overworked or have an unstable schedule at work, it can be difficult for the employer to attract and retain these high-quality team members. This can impact the company’s ability to innovate and compete. Family-oriented company cultures tend to perform better.
- Increased costs: If employees are overburdened or have an inconsistent work schedule, it can result in increased costs for the employer, such as overtime pay and employee benefits. This can impact the company’s profitability and ability to invest in other business areas.
- Legal compliance: Employers must comply with labor laws and regulations, including those related to overtime pay and work schedules. Failure to comply can result in legal consequences, as well as penalties and fines.
- Decreased customer satisfaction: If employees are overworked or have fluctuating work schedules, it can impact their ability to provide quality customer service. This can decrease customer satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately impacting the company’s profitability and growth.
In Conclusion
There’s no reason to fight the trend of adopting a family-oriented company culture. Reap the positive benefits of this by choosing a workforce management software that puts your people first — without sacrificing any business needs. Schedule a demo today with our team to discover how our retail WFM solution can benefit you.