16 Company Culture Trends to Know in 2023

As we stand at the midpoint of 2023, it's clear that the corporate world is in the midst of a cultural revolution. Businesses are rewriting traditional models of office culture, and forward-thinking employers are leading the charge, innovating to meet the shifting needs of their employees. 

Employees seek more than just a paycheck; they want purpose, flexibility, inclusivity, and a sustainable, compassionate workplace. So, what are these surprising company culture trends defining 2023 and beyond?

In this article, we delve into the insights from industry leaders at the heart of these changes. Let's look at the most surprising company culture trends of 2023 and what to expect in the coming months. We promise it will be a fascinating ride!

The Rise of Culture-as-a-Service

According to Jarir Mallah, Human Resources Manager at Ling App, the most significant trend has been the rise of Culture-as-a-Service (CaaS). "There's been a huge trend in accessing quantifiable company culture data. With all these quiet quitting and mass resignation movements, it's more important than ever for companies to have their finger on the pulse of their company's culture." 

Software solutions offering CaaS should gain momentum well into 2023 and beyond, providing valuable insights to help organizations navigate and optimize their culture effectively.

Shift from Perks to Purpose

Meanwhile, a profound shift is taking place in how companies view their culture, emphasizing purpose rather than perks. Ranee Zhang, VP of Growth at Airgram, observed, "Companies are attempting to create a culture of alignment, with a greater focus on how their day-to-day activities contribute to their ultimate goal and how their personal development plans can address this gap." 

In 2024, she will keep an eye on how companies develop ownership cultures and encourage trust among colleagues, potentially leveraging technology to foster more connected workforces.

Work-Life Balance and Integration

Many companies are innovating to meet the rising demand for work-life balance. Normand Chevrette, President and CEO of CME Corp., noted, "In 2023, we are surprised by the notable rise in the demand for work-life balance within our company culture. We have seen employees prioritize their personal lives and well-being more than ever."

Looking forward to 2024, Chevrette sees a transition towards work-life integration, where employees blend work and personal life more seamlessly, with the company supporting their ability to pursue personal commitments alongside work responsibilities.

Social Impact On Recruitment

Marc Hardgrove, CEO of TheHOTH, pointed out the surprising significance of social impact during recruitment. "Candidates feel strongly about a company's green/environmental policy. If it's not satisfying, they are willing to give up a job, even if they fit the qualifications." 

The coming year might shift towards overall well-being, though sustainability will likely remain a priority.

Holistic Employee Well-being

Josh Amishav, Founder and CEO of Breachsense, commented on the rising importance of holistic wellness programs. "Focusing on employee well-being has become a significant company culture trend this year. Holistic wellness programs that address mental, emotional, and social aspects and physical health have certainly been surprising." 

Organizations have recognized the importance of flexible work arrangements, mental health days, and unique well-being benefits, leading to a more supportive and productive work environment.

Emphasis on Upskilling, Reskilling, and Employee Development

Bruce Mohr, Vice-president of Fair Credit, has emphasized the necessity for continuous learning. "The need for firms to invest in their employee's education and training to keep up with quickly developing fields is something that I feel is widely acknowledged in 2023," says Mohr.

As a result, companies are increasingly aligning with online learning platforms and educational institutions to equip their employees with the most current skills, a strategy that is mutually beneficial for individual employees and promotes the overall growth of the organization.

This commitment to employee development represents a significant shift in company culture. The days when company loyalty was paramount are fading, and the focus has now pivoted toward individual growth potential. The younger demographic in the job market tends to view their career paths differently than previous generations, often without a long-term commitment to one company. Instead, they are drawn to opportunities for skill enhancement, job advancement, and the potential for increased remuneration.

This cultural shift demands adaptability and a clear strategy for company employee development. New hires need to be presented with tangible paths for career growth from the moment they join the organization. Absent clear development opportunities, the incentive to stay diminishes. It is crucial for companies to provide their teams with future growth prospects - because, without a compelling reason to stay, employees won't hesitate to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Proactive Calendar Blocking

Trevor Ewen, COO of QBench, mentioned a practical trend of people taking more control over their schedules in a fully remote context. He says, "As of 2023, more people in our company have been proactively blocking time on their calendars for focused initiatives." 

This practice emphasizes personal productivity and effectiveness in the era of remote work.

Growth of Unlimited Time Off

Marco Andolfatto, Chief Underwriting Officer at Apollo Cover, noticed the growth of unlimited time-off policies, where companies let workers take as much vacation time as required. "This strategy strongly emphasizes trust, adaptability, and work-life balance," Andolfatto said. 

This innovative approach to vacation time reveals a dedication to employee satisfaction and efficiency.

Virtual Team-Building Activities

Edward Mellett, Co-founder of TestHQ, highlighted the value of employee engagement and team development. "Virtual team-building activities like online games, virtual happy hours, and team challenges are the new norm." 

These activities foster a sense of belonging among remote teams, keep communication lines open, and keep staff engaged.

Transparency

The upper-level decision-makers of companies simply cannot get away with the gatekeeping of important information anymore. If decisions can affect others in the organization, it's not only expected but demanded that employers share with complete transparency. 

The second employees feel as though they're being taken advantage of or lied to, they will leave, as they should! 

Make sure to keep the communication channels as open as possible between levels of your organization's hierarchy so your team feels trusted, valued, and in the loop.

Amplification of Employee Voices

This point is sort of an extension of transparency. Letting your employees know what's happening and being honest with them is the bare minimum. The next step is to listen to what your team says about what's happening. The people within your company are your core. Nothing happens without them. That's why their thoughts, feelings, and feedback mustn't only be heard and acted upon. Again, keep communication channels open and encourage your team to speak up about anything they want to address without fear of negative repercussions.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

It's no secret that professional opportunities are often unfairly distributed. Things like DEI initiatives and lessons are necessary, but at the end of the day, those translate into something other than monetized opportunities for marginalized people. It's time to put your money where your mouth is literally. If you boast about your DEI policy, that needs to be reflected in your hiring and compensation practices.

Relationship Building

The last thing new hires want to encounter at their new jobs is workplace toxicity. A good relationship with your manager and team can and will make or break the new hire experience, ultimately deciding whether they will stick around or leave. That said, we have to live in reality and realize that people have varying personality types and working styles, some of which get along better than others. 

However, across the board, there needs to be a foundation of respect within your company, regardless of differences in professional opinions. Having positive, healthy, and uplifting relationships with our teammates makes us want to go out of our way for them and the organization due to mutual respect and the fact that we just like working with the people around us. 

Without that respect, professional relationships can quickly become strained, and trust shows in your work. Listen to your employees and emphasize building bonds to create a workspace that people are excited to be in!

Balancing a Remote Team

We've reached the practically indisputable conclusion that we can be just as productive, if not more, from our homes. That's why remote work isn't going anywhere. Instead of trying and failing to bring your employees back into the office, focus that energy on a new strategy to manage hybrid or completely virtual teams effectively. 

What job-seekers prioritize right now is flexibility, which ties into our previous point about work-life balance. Identify the benefits of remote work, such as the lack of distance constraints, increased comfort, and safety from COVID, and capitalize on them! As it has been for the past couple of years, the key this year is adaptability. 

Prioritization of Mental Health

We are finally reaching a point where mental health is being seriously considered in the professional world and implemented into benefits packages. 

This is a significant and necessary first step. However, it's also time to prioritize mental health in your workday. We've all experienced how overwhelming life can get these past few years. 

Do what you can to reassure your team that their mental well-being comes first. Be understanding of their needs. Offer help when you can. In more dire situations, reprioritize work objectives, if possible, to put your employee first. This effort will be noticed and very appreciated.

Focus on Employee Development

The big thing used to be company loyalty. Now, it's individual growth potential. Younger people in the job market tend not to plan to stick with one company for the next 35 years. Their primary interests are job opportunities, skills growth, and pay increases. 

This is another cultural trend where adaptability needs to be implemented. You need to ensure your new hires are given clear paths for career development as soon as they join your organization. Or else, why stay at all? Give your team something to look forward to - if there's no reason to stay, they won't.

Final Thoughts

As we survey the landscape of the corporate world midway through 2023, it's undeniable that we're in the throes of a transformative shift. Old paradigms of office culture are being dismantled and replaced by dynamic new models shaped by visionary leaders attuned to their employees' evolving needs.

Grasping these shifts and adapting to them is crucial for companies to create work environments that foster engagement, satisfaction, and productivity. This, in turn, sets the stage for sustained success in the future world of work.

We must remember that these "trends" are not fleeting fads—they're significant shifts, markers of an enduring cultural evolution. The key to thriving in this shifting landscape is adaptability and fluidity, keeping people—your greatest asset—at the core of your business strategy today and well into the future.