An employee seeking transition doesn’t need to be scary. Whether employees are transitioning to a new profession, or upgrading their skills to advance, the work environment is critical to their success. Want to retain your best people and attract top talent? Transitioning careers can be a vulnerable move that demands courage, support, and the appropriate atmosphere to succeed. Let's explore what constitutes an ideal work environment for career transitions and compare it to a hostile one, using best practices, policies, and examples from top companies.
What’s an ideal work environment look like?
An ideal work environment is the one in which individuals feel supported, respected, and motivated to achieve their professional goals. It is critical for both the company and the job seeker to align in values to create an ideal work environment – so much so that 73% of respondents to a Glassdoor survey stated they wouldn't even apply to a company unless its values matched their own.
Key features of a positive work environment include:
1. Supportive leadership
- Managers and leaders are accessible and open to talk about career objectives.
- Holding regular one-on-one sessions to discuss professional goals and growth strategies.
- Providing mentorship programs to help employees navigate career transitions.
2. Positive culture
- Promoting a culture of continuous development and learning.
- Recognizing and honoring the accomplishments of employees in their new positions.
- Promoting cooperation and information exchange among team members.
3. Access to resources
- Providing workshops, training courses, and upskilling/reskilling programs.
- Granting users access to internal training modules or online learning environments like PowerUp, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and others.
- Promoting participation at industry conferences and networking gatherings.
4. Inclusive policies
- Putting into action policies and practices that support inclusion and diversity.
- Equalizing job development possibilities for all people, regardless of their identity or background.
- Establishing underrepresented community support through employee resource groups (ERGs).
5. Open lines of communication
- Employees and employers alike benefit from maintaining open channels of communication.
- Realizing employees that are able to vocalize their opinions and thoughts openly has a positive impact on the organization, and can dramatically enhance employee morale.
- Helping employees feel validated, fulfilled, and satisfied.
Download our Guide for Supporting Career Pivoters & Recognizing the Value of Transferable Skills
Best practices for fostering growth
“Across the countries we surveyed, it’s clear that job seekers are seeking more meaningful workplace experiences,” Christian Sutherland-Wong, Glassdoor President and COO.
1. Personalized development plans
- Assist employees in developing personalized development plans that align with their professional objectives.
- Establish attainable goals and schedule regular check-ins and updates on their progress.
2. Job shadowing and rotations
Job shadowing is a type of on-the-job learning in which interested employees closely follow, observe, and occasionally replicate the responsibilities of another person, usually in the desired role they’d like to transition to.
- Allow employees to shadow colleagues in their desired roles to gain firsthand experience.
- Implement job rotation programs to give employees exposure to different departments and functions.
3. Mentorship and coaching
- Assign employees to mentors who may offer direction, advice, and support.
- Offer coaching sessions to assist staff in acquiring the skills required for their new positions.
4. Flexible work arrangements
- To support learning and growth, provide remote work choices or flexible work schedules.
- Allocate time off for training sessions or professional development.
Comparing between positive and hostile work environments
A hostile work environment can cause discomfort and intimidation through unethical behavior, harassment, and discrimination. Needless to say, this has a severe impact on employees' mental and physical health, resulting in greater stress and decreased productivity.
Let’s look at a hypothetical situation in which a seasoned worker indicates that they would like to move from marketing to sales.
1. Positive work environment
- The manager is accommodating and schedules a meeting for discussion about the goals of the staff employee.
- The employee is provided with resources such as sales training programs and mentorship from experienced sales team members.
- The organization supports the worker's development and acknowledges their decision, providing ongoing assistance during the process of transition.
2. Hostile work environment
- The manager dismisses the employee’s aspirations, stating they should focus on their current role.
- The employee feels underappreciated because they are not given any resources or assistance during the transition.
- Employee’s motivation and morale drop, potentially leading to resignation and greater turnover.
The business case for supporting career transitions
Businesses benefit greatly from creating an ideal work environment, including:
1. Increased employee engagement
- Employees who have prospects for growth are more engaged and motivated.
- Greater engagement leads to higher productivity and greater business results.
2. Higher retention rates
- Employees who feel supported and valued are more likely to remain with the organization in the long run.
- Low turnover decreases recruitment and training costs, resulting in significant savings.
3. Enhanced reputation
- Companies that provide career growth attract top talent.
- A positive reputation as an ideal work environment improves employer branding.
4. Diverse skill sets
- Encouraging career transitions contributes to a broad skill set inside the company.
- Employees from diverse backgrounds contribute new perspectives and innovative concepts.
Importance for underrepresented communities
Providing a positive work environment is especially important for employees from historically underrepresented groups. These folks frequently confront additional obstacles in their professional lives, and creating a nurturing atmosphere can make a significant difference. Inclusive policies, mentorship programs, and ERGs can assist these employees thrive, resulting in a more diverse and equal work environment.
Need a boost?
Keep more employees and attract incredible employees by transforming your workplace into an ideal setting for employees to grow and accomplish their career goals. Schedule a demo with PowerToFly today to learn more about our innovative training programs and services that help businesses support career transitions and foster a positive work environment.
In addition to being good for workers, creating an ideal work environment is also a smart business decision. Companies have the opportunity to create a productive, inclusive, and energetic work environment where everyone has the chance to advance and thrive.
