Why a Positive Workplace Culture Matters in HVACR

In an industry where the workforce is shrinking, building a positive workplace culture might not seem like a priority. You might find yourself struggling just to staff up with anyone willing to do the work.

However, the benefits of improving company culture are worth the time and effort. Here’s what you stand to gain.

What makes a positive workplace culture, anyway?

You can find a variety of definitions of positive company culture out there, but here’s our favorite:

In a positive workplace, there is trust, cooperation, respect, safety, accountability, equity and the opportunity for employees to grow.  

Positive workplace culture: benefits for employees

Attracting new talent is only half the battle when it comes to building a strong staff. You also need to retain the employees you already have. Creating a positive workplace culture and environment helps you do both. 

Here’s how your employees benefit from working in a positive environment:

More job satisfaction.  They are empowered and supported in their jobs, so they tend to be more satisfied and stay with the company for the long term.

Less stress.  Workplace conflicts that happen in toxic environments can cause so much stress that they impact not only work performance but also other areas of employees’ lives.

More learning.  Employees in a positive environment are more likely to learn from one another, whether that’s specific technical skills, troubleshooting tips, customer service skills, or even how to stay cool under pressure. 

More career growth.  Employees who get the support they need from their coworkers and superiors are more likely to achieve their career goals faster (which makes them even more valuable to you).

Customers also benefit when you nurture a positive workplace culture

Without a doubt, happy employees make happy customers. Here are just a few reasons why:

They treat customers better. Let’s face it, it can be tough to deal with frustrated customers day in and day out, and that’s what many HVACR employees must do. When the employees are treated with kindness, respect, and support, they tend to pass along the same treatment to customers.

They make fewer mistakes. According to Inc. magazine, employees who hate their jobs check out mentally long before they actually quit, causing them to make careless mistakes. 

They are better problem solvers.  People who like what they do tend to show more patience and persistence when working through problems. That’s particularly valuable for HVAC & Refrigeration technicians because they can diagnose and repair problems faster and more accurately. You’ll experience fewer callbacks for the same problem, and your customers will be happy about that, too. 

Workplace culture impacts the bottom line, too 

When your employees get along and feel appreciated and supported, over time things begin to work like a well-oiled machine. You’ll find that you can complete more jobs in less time. You’ll keep your loyal customers. You’ll be able to attract the top job candidates to work for you. And the employees you have become more productive and valuable. 

All of those factors contribute to bringing in more revenue, keeping costs down, and driving profits up. 

So, if your workplace culture needs improving, how do you go about creating change? We’ll address that subject in next week’s blog: Changing Workplace Culture: Tips to Strengthen Your Business. Don’t miss it!

More operational advice for HVAC & Refrigeration companies

One of our goals here at HVACR Career Connect NY is to provide educational resources for HVAC and Refrigeration companies to help you succeed, grow, and be an asset to the industry. Check out our resources for HVACR employers.

HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.