Creativity and lack of gossip are keys to a happy workplace, according to poll

Space to be creative is especially important

Valuing employees more than profit, being trusted to do the job and not gossiping are among the key ingredients to a happy workplace, according to a poll.

An examination of workplace culture explored the attitude of employed adults towards their working environment and identified what makes for a positive one.

Space to be creative was especially important to those polled, as was having time to reflect on things and having an approachable boss.

A workplace which empowers all members of staff to make a difference - no matter what their role is - also helped make for a happy environment, people said.

Strong leadership and hard-working colleagues were also said to be vital ingredients for a positive workplace.

Perkbox, a company that sells worker wellbeing benefits to employers, commissioned the study of 2,000 employed adults to explore workplace culture.

Saurav Chopra, co-founder and chief executive of Perkbox, said: “As our research shows, we’re clearly making strides when it comes to consciousness around creating great workplace cultures in the UK.

“Culture reveals a lot about a workplace - with different sectors having very different workplace cultures."

The study also found six in 10 workers were satisfied with the levels of effort their employers put into making their working environment a positive one.

And half thought their employers had shaped a positive culture outside of the daily grind by arranging regular activities away from the workplace.

However, 72 per cent said they believed it was the entire workforce’s responsibility to create a positive culture and not just management's.

It also emerged 70 per cent of employed adults actually looked forward to going to work rather than dreaded it.

Three-quarters considered their rolea to be rewarding and 82 per cent enjoyed their job, while almost two-thirds believed they worked in a happy and supportive environment.

For 77 per cent, this may in part be because their bosses positively encouraged them to perform to a high level.

Three-quarters said they "have to work hard" in their job - but 52 per cent believed the recognition they got for doing so made all the effort worthwhile.

The Perkbox poll carried out through OnePoll also found seven in 10 considered their workplace to be accepting and tolerant – meaning open to different approaches and viewpoints.

Other words to describe workplace culture among those polled include "welcoming" (27 per cent), "collaborative" (24 per cent), "goals-driven" (13 per cent) and "risk-conscious" (11 per cent).

SWNS