In the modern world of work, work values are more relevant than ever. Companies are not only interested in a candidate’s experience or technical knowledge; what really matters during the recruitment process is whether the candidate’s work values align with those of the company.
Understanding and prioritising ‘work values’ is essential to creating a positive and productive work environment where every team member feels valued and motivated to reach their full potential.
Therefore, understanding this term and its importance facilitates recruitment and staff management processes, ensuring greater cohesion and long-term commitment, ensuring that the company’s objectives are met effectively and harmoniously.
What are work values?
Work values are the fundamental principles that guide the behaviour and decisions of individuals in the work environment. These values influence how people perceive their work, how they interact with their colleagues and how they align with the company’s mission and vision.
These work values are often based on universal moral values, so among the most common are: integrity, commitment, responsibility, innovation and collaboration.
Within the field of work psychology analysis, these values are considered essential because they have a direct impact on employees’ job satisfaction and mental health. In fact, research highlights the importance of aligning organisational values with employee expectations and needs, as a high level of job satisfaction is associated with lower employee turnover.
This statistic makes sense, as a work environment that respects and fosters work values can improve motivation, performance and talent retention, which is especially crucial in companies experiencing rapid growth, where individual well-being translates into significant collective impact.
The importance of work values in organisational strategy
Work values are important at the individual level and are fundamental to organisational strategy. If we assume that work values can impact how people work and their personal goals and aspirations, then it is valuable to consider them when developing a corporate strategy.
Companies that align their corporate values with their employees’ personal values tend to be more successful in achieving their professional goals. This alignment fosters a sense of belonging and commitment among employees, which is reflected in higher productivity and lower turnover.
In addition, current trends in human resources highlight the importance of work values in attracting and retaining talent. New generations of workers, especially millennials and Generation Z, are looking for companies that share their personal and social values.
Therefore, organisations that strive to define, communicate and live their work values will have a competitive advantage in today’s labour market.
Work values as a key to the professional growth of teams
Setting clear career goals is essential to career development and often influences an individual’s work values. For example, employees who value innovation will likely seek roles that allow them to explore new ideas and lead development projects. In contrast, someone who values stability and security may aspire to positions that offer greater long-term stability.
For this reason, it is crucial for leaders and managers to recognise these values and support their teams in setting career goals that not only align with the company’s objectives, but also with the personal aspirations of each employee. This approach increases motivation and commitment, promoting sustainable and satisfying career development for both the employee and the organisation.
Javier Sordo Gómez, Head of People at ifeel partner Thoughtworks, shared his views:
“Ensuring professional and, if possible, personal well-being is absolutely critical. I personally could not work in a place where this was not a priority”.
How to promote work values in the work environment
Fostering work values in the work environment requires a strategic and conscious approach. Here are some effective strategies:
- Open and honest communication: Establish clear communication channels where employees can express their concerns and expectations regarding work values.
- Ongoing training: Offer development programmes that reinforce company values and help employees align their personal values with those of the organisation.
- Recognition and reward: Implement recognition systems that value behaviours aligned with the company’s work values.
- Exemplary leadership: Managers must lead by example, demonstrating in their daily behaviour the values that the company upholds. A manager with the skills to be a good leader recognises the importance of congruence between personal and professional values and, therefore, promotes a healthier, more creative, and collaborative environment, essential to the company’s success.
- Taking care of mental health in companies: Respecting and understanding employees’ values is key to their well-being and motivation. An environment that ignores these values can cause stress and burnout, negatively affecting the work climate.
Types of work values
Below, we will explore the different types of work values that can influence the work environment. Understanding these values, both personally and collectively, is critical to building strong teams, fostering a positive organisational culture and achieving the company’s strategic objectives.
| Type | Example | Description |
| Personal values | Utility | Motivation to help and assist others. |
| Achievements | Seeking recognition, focusing on personal and professional success. | |
| Salary | Focus on financial stability—motivation to be compensated for efforts made. | |
| Autonomy | Valuing the freedom to make decisions. | |
| Enthusiasm | Passion and dedication to the job, showing enjoyment in what you do. | |
| Team values | Reliability and trustworthiness | Importance of trusting the team to achieve shared goals and objectives. |
| Communication | Valuing honest and effective communication. | |
| Loyalty | Commitment and dedication to the team, demonstrating reliability in achieving common goals. | |
| Fairness | Equity in responsibilities, opportunities, and participation in decision-making within the team. | |
| Integrity | Ethical and honest behaviour of team members, fostering a safe and efficient working environment. | |
| Company values | Transparency and accountability | Ability to admit mistakes openly and take corrective action. |
| Social responsibility | Commitment to social responsibilities beyond the workplace. | |
| Diversity and inclusion | Appreciation of diversity and inclusion in recruitment and internal policies. | |
| Innovation | Commitment to change and continuous learning, encouraging new ideas and innovative solutions. |
Unlock your team’s potential
At ifeel, we know that work values are more than just a statement in a corporate handbook; they are the lifeblood of an organisation. In an increasingly competitive and globalised world, where all trends point to the importance of mental well-being and personal development, companies that invest in understanding and fostering work values will be better positioned to achieve long-term success.
To assist in this process, our team of psychologists specialising in mental well-being has developed a mental well-being program for companies aimed at helping companies enhance employee engagement and boost productivity.
This collaboration allows HR managers to receive personalised, data-based advice on the most effective measures for detecting employee mental health issues and assessing the workplace climate. It’s the best way to understand their needs.
Moreover, ifeel’s mental well-being solution offers employees a structured mental health care solution tailored to their needs at any given time.
We hope you found this article on work values interesting. If you want more information about our mental well-being solution for companies, simply request it, and we will contact your team soon.
