U.S. Employees Signal Workplace Culture Has Changed, Says Report

Workplace cultures have changed dramatically for 35% of U.S. employees, according to a research report released by Quantum Workplace, a leading provider of comprehensive employee engagement and performance software as well as the leader in data collection for the nationally recognized Best Places to Work Programs.

The company’s latest research report, Unpacking Organizational Culture in a New World of Work, provides a new perspective on the important role company culture plays in organizations – including the impact of remote and hybrid perceptions of culture. The study also highlights areas where leaders need to invest most across their enterprises to attract and retain top talent.

Key highlights of the research, which surveyed more than 32,000 individuals, include:

• 35% of employees stated the culture at their organization has changed dramatically over the past two years.
• Only 28% of employees indicated they felt culture most strongly in the physical workspace.
• Employees felt culture most strongly in their organizations’ mission or values statement, recognition and celebrations, and approach to employee performance.
• Highly engaged employees were 4.5 times less likely to say their company culture has declined or worsened in the past two years compared with those who are not highly engaged.
• Remote and hybrid employees were more likely to report their company’s culture has improved – onsite or workplace-only employees were most likely to say their company culture has declined in the past two years.

“It’s no secret that work has changed amid COVID-19. With the rise of remote and hybrid work, teamed with a tight labor market where there are millions more job openings than unemployed people to fill them, executives are understandably concerned about their company cultures. Our research shows that organizational cultures can greatly impact employees’ engagement and willingness to stay in their current jobs. Companies will need to be more intentional with company culture to keep their employees engaged, retain key talent, and be competitive in attracting new workers,” explained Quantum Workplace Lead Researcher Shane McFeely.

Since the global COVID-19 pandemic, workplace culture has continually changed as new ways to work evolve and organizations pivot business strategies. Employees directly speak to the ways in which their workplace cultures changed — for better or worse — in the report.

The research is derived from Quantum Workplace’s Best Places to Work national contest. The company conducts an opt-in, independent research panel spanning more than 32,000 individuals who are asked to share their workplace experiences.

Read more about organizational culture in Quantum Workplace’s 2022 Organizational Culture Research Report.