By Bill Swan, Principal Consultant
The Question That Says It All
If you’ve done much interviewing, you’ve probably heard this question more times than you can count.
What’s it like to work here?
Your answer is important, but so are the perspectives of your colleagues in the room. Together, they create a fuller picture of your company’s culture.
If handled well, these responses reinforce what’s working and highlight areas that need attention. They offer a chance to build on what employees value and address concerns before they quietly damage the workplace culture.
What Defines a Strong Workplace Culture?
Positive responses reflect strong leadership, well-structured policies, and fair treatment of employees. When a company’s vision is clear and its people believe in it, engagement thrives.
On the other hand, concerning responses can reveal key areas for improvement, whether it’s strengthening communication, enhancing employee recognition, or supporting work-life balance. Employees want to feel informed, recognized, and able to maintain a healthy life outside of work matters. If these elements are missing, they become real concerns that must be addressed.
Engagement Is the Key to Retention
Ideally, employee responses will reflect an engaged workforce. Their answers serve as a valuable measure of workplace culture. Engaged employees are more productive, more creative, and less likely to leave.
But when engagement is absent, the employer-employee relationship becomes purely transactional:
“I work here, and the employer pays me. Nothing more.”
That kind of culture is fragile, and there are likely other significant concerns underlying the lack of engagement.
How FIT HR Can Help Improve Everyday Work Life
At FIT HR, we help organizations uncover what’s working, what’s not, and where fresh thinking can drive meaningful change. If you’re ready to ask your team, “What’s it like to work here?” we can help you build on the positives and address the challenges.
Contact us today to start the conversation and create a stronger, more engaged workplace.