What makes a respectful work environment

Those who are not respectful to others are unprofessional and a threat to the health of their company. Always treat people the way you want to be treated—with respect. Recognize that, like you, your coworkers , reports, and superiors have rights, opinions, wishes, experience, and competence.

They also make mistakes, which are simply lessons to be learned. They have similar concerns and insecurities and share the common goal of wanting to perform their jobs successfully. Respect in the workplace breeds a healthy work environment. A professional, respectful work culture encourages productivity and growth.

The staff works optimally knowing they are valued and respected for their ideas as well as their role within the company. Respect can be heard in a person's tone of voice, in their nonverbal communication , and in how they address you. It can be observed by how your coworker or supervisor listens to you and asks questions to make sure they understand your point of view.

You judge respect by the way your organization, superiors, and coworkers treat you. It is apparent in how your organization establishes new rules and policies and introduces them to employees, and how they compensate, recognize, and reward you. Respect can be determined by how often workers ask your opinion, consult you about any changes that could affect your job prior to implementing them, and delegate meaningful assignments to you.

Ideas for demonstrating respect in the workplace include:. Respect is a requisite for a healthy, professional workplace where employees feel valued performing work that is meaningful to their organization. A healthy work environment can increase employee retention and boost an organization's reputation as a great place to work.

They are environments where employees work well together and recognize that. Respectful behaviour displays personal integrity and professionalism, practices fairness and understanding, demonstrates respect for individual rights and differences and is accountable for one's actions. A respectful workplace has these advantages:. Inclusive language is language that is free from words, phrases or tones that reflect prejudiced, stereotyped or discriminatory views of particular people or groups.

It is also language that does not deliberately or inadvertently exclude people from feeling accepted. The use of inclusive language plays an important role in promoting respectful workplaces and demonstrates our commitment to public service values. The responsibility for building and maintaining a respectful workplace is shared by everyone in the BC Public Service.

There are policy statements regarding workplace behaviour and conduct which require all employees to behave respectfully, collaboratively and in ways consistent with the BC government's corporate values. These policy statements and collective agreements include. These policies provide specific standards and responsibilities for everyone and lay out a complaint process for misconduct and harassment. The Learning Centre offers a variety of courses for building and maintaining respect in the workplace.

Learn more about respectful workplaces. The BC Public Service Agency provides employees with information, tools and services to help identify, assess, manage, and support respect in the workplace. Get available resources when you need them. Building and maintaining respect in the workplace means understanding disrespectful behaviour or conflict can impact employee health.

Be aware of these potential health concerns, as well as the resources available to address them. Learn how to make the connection.

Speaking with a person directly is the ideal way to resolve a conflict. Learn how to communicate for success. Get the tools you need to have an engaging and productive conversation about respectful workplaces. Resources for managers and employees are available on MyHR. Workplace culture will be that edge and one of the key cultural variables will be respect. One local company is leveraging this better than most.

It helps our businesses grow. It starts with leadership. Leaders in respectful organizations encourage employees to intentionally engage those who are different; to institutionalize the curiosity to explore differences and to refrain from damaging, judgmental and exclusive behaviors. Fostering respect is not a program or project. It is a way of life that must be clearly defined, communicated and modeled from the top down. As with any other change, a shift in organizational values and behavior patterns takes skill, determination and clear communication.

Creating a culture of respect must start with a plan. Assign timelines and resources. Include tracking and measurement tools. The creation of a workforce that encourages respectful behaviors toward people who are different is not merely a project, initiative or program de jour — it is a long-term shift in organizational values and behaviors. And while respect as a concept is simple, institutionalizing it typically takes a long time and is not accomplished solely through slogans on coffee cups and banners or employee contests.

It can, however, be achieved through commitment, stamina, crystal-clear communication policies and leaders who walk their talk. These are great tips on making sure your workplace is one where workers are respected. Thanks so much for sharing this! How do we define a respectful work environment?