The role of workplace culture in attracting top talent

Findings from a Robert Walters survey of over 1,000 professionals and hiring managers across the UK, focusing on "The Role of Workplace Culture in Recruiting Top Talent", found the aspects of company culture that have the greatest impact on staff satisfaction and productivity. It also explores the strategies employers can use to identify and attract candidates who will thrive in their company’s culture.

A positive company culture can offer employers a significant advantage when looking to attract top talent, but employers face the challenge of identifying which aspects of company culture matter most to professionals.

Key Findings from the Research

• 90% of employers believe it is very important to find a candidate who is the right cultural fit.
• 82% of professionals have disliked the culture of a business they worked for at some point in their career.
• 73% of professionals have left a job due to experiencing a poor cultural fit.

Professionals place a heavy importance on the cultural aspects of the company they work for. The research found that the level of collaboration, remuneration packages, and transparent decision-making by management are the top three factors professionals value most at work.

However, employers often misjudge which aspects of workplace culture matter most to workers, with many focusing on performance measurement and career development opportunities, rather than what employees actually prioritise.

A positive company culture can offer employers a significant advantage when looking to attract top talent, but employers face the challenge of identifying which aspects of company culture matter most to professionals.

What can employers do?

By encouraging employees across all levels of seniority to share their thoughts about the organisation’s culture, employers can then gain valuable insights into which areas require their attention to attract top talent. 

The research findings recommend that employers:

• Recognise the importance of cultural fit and make it a priority in recruitment and retention strategies.
• Identify who drives company culture and ensure all staff feel empowered to contribute.
• Understand what matters to candidates by regularly seeking feedback from employees.
• Communicate your company’s culture clearly and honestly during recruitment and onboarding.
• Give potential staff the chance to experience your company culture first-hand.
• Ensure staff feel free to discuss company culture and raise any concerns.

Recognising the importance of a good cultural fit, identifying what matters to candidates, and ensuring that strong information about company culture is communicated to potential employees are all crucial steps to improving workplace culture and retaining top talent within an organisation. To discuss your talent attraction and retention strategy, get in touch with your local Robert Walters team.