Nearly every employer agrees: culture is a priority. But maintaining it? That’s the challenge.
In early 2025, the Top Workplaces Research Lab conducted a study to uncover what employers really think about workplace culture and its challenges. The results show that while most organizations see culture as a team effort, few believe they have fully achieved the culture they want.
Culture is a priority for most organizations. We also know, from leadership shifts to remote work struggles, culture is evolving. Some takeaways from our research: • Nationwide, 84 percent of employers aren’t fully happy with their current culture and say it’s tough to maintain.
• Also, 80 percent of employers agree that everyone shares responsibility for shaping culture, not just one group.
• Only 36 percent of employers believe the desired culture can realistically be achieved without adjustments.
• Growth and leadership changes are the primary forces behind culture shifts.
• Remote and hybrid work remain a challenge for building and maintaining culture.
• Communication and leadership alignment can be obstacles to building a strong culture.
Every organization’s culture is unique, so building and maintaining it will look different depending on where you are.
Here are some tips to help get started.
1. Make communication clear and transparent: Keep employees in the loop about company goals, values, decisions, and changes through town halls, newsletters, meetings, emails, message boards, and more. When employees feel well-informed and understand the “why” behind changes, they are much more likely to embrace them. Clear communication helps everyone stay aligned and set up for success.
2. Regular check-ins with employees: Use feedback channels such as surveys, pulse checks, and focus groups to stay connected with teams. Listening to employees makes them feel valued and helps ensure their needs are being met while providing insights to help adapt and improve culture.
3. Celebrate employees and their achievements: Recognize employees through platforms, awards, celebrations, and social events to highlight their successes. Peer-to-peer recognition and spotlighting actions that align with company values also strengthen culture and reinforce positive behaviors.
4. Prioritize employee well-being: Supporting employee well-being shows the value of people, which helps them bring their best to work. Offering flexible schedules, generous PTO, and benefits with wellness and mental health resources creates a positive, healthy environment for everyone.
5. Offer opportunities to connect: Culture thrives through employee interactions, so create spaces for people to connect and build relationships. Encourage social events, interest-based groups, and friendly competitions to help employees bond across teams and locations.
6. Lead with leadership: Leaders are key to shaping culture, so keep them visible and engaged with employees through events like CEO roundtables and one-on-ones. Invest in training to equip leaders with the tools they need to foster a positive, inclusive environment and support employee growth.
7. Get involved in community: Supporting your community can strengthen bonds both within and outside the organization. Encourage volunteering, donations, or organizing charity events — these efforts create a sense of purpose and connection for employees.
Job seekers are doing their homework — they want a real look at what it’s like to work at an organization to make an informed decision. That’s why shaping and promoting culture is key to attracting the best talent. It’s all about making sure culture shines through at every step of the process.
Bob Helbig is media partnerships director at Energage, a Philadelphia-based employee survey firm. Energage is The Denver Post’s survey partner for Top Workplaces. To nominate your company as a Top Workplace, go to denverpost.com/nominate.