Shaping the future: how British values in the workplace drive inclusion and engagement
Discover how embracing British values can foster a more inclusive, engaged and purpose-driven workplace culture
British values – such as respect, tolerance, and a sense of fair play – are the cornerstone of an inclusive, supportive workplace. In today’s increasingly diverse teams, understanding what values matter most to employees is essential. When organisations align their workplace culture with employees’ core values, they not only foster inclusivity, but strengthen collaboration and trust.
Using a British values survey provides a data-driven approach to help organisations define a culture that reflects these principles, ensuring employees feel valued and engaged. In this article, we explore how to design an effective survey to reveal and build a work culture that supports and empowers your team.
What are British values in the workplace and why do they matter?
British values are rooted in five key principles that foster a cohesive and respectful society. When applied in the workplace, these values help create an environment where employees feel valued, respected and supported. Here’s how each core value translates in the workplace:
- Democracy: Encouraging employees to share their ideas and participate in decisions that affect them ensures every voice is heard and valued.
- Rule of law: Transparent policies and fair practices build trust. Clear workplace guidelines help employees feel secure and promote consistency across the organisation.
- Individual liberty: Supporting employees' freedom of expression within a structured framework empowers them to pursue their goals while respecting organisational boundaries.
- Mutual respect: Recognising each employee’s contributions and respecting differences creates a positive, collaborative atmosphere.
- Tolerance: Embracing diversity in all its forms – from cultural backgrounds to personal beliefs – fosters an inclusive and dynamic workplace culture.
By integrating these principles, organisations can align their workplace culture with values that resonate deeply with their teams, laying the foundation for stronger engagement and collaboration.
How British values support inclusivity and engagement
The importance of British values in the workplace is often underestimated. Yet they contribute significantly to creating an environment where employees feel empowered, respected and understood. Beyond mere compliance, these values form the building blocks of a thriving organisational culture, driving inclusivity and employee engagement in several key ways:
Promoting fairness and trust
Transparent policies rooted in respect and fairness build trust among employees, encouraging collaboration and reducing workplace conflicts.
Enhancing employee loyalty
When employees see their values reflected in their organisation’s culture, they feel a stronger sense of belonging and are more likely to remain loyal and committed.
Boosting engagement
Respect and openness in the workplace lead to higher engagement levels. Employees who feel heard and valued are naturally more invested in their roles.
Reducing turnover
An inclusive culture that prioritises mutual respect and tolerance helps retain top talent by making employees feel supported and appreciated.
Practical ways to apply British values at work
Applying British workplace values is about integrating them into everyday actions, fostering a culture that supports inclusivity, fairness and respect. Here are actionable steps to integrate each value into your organisation:
- Democracy: Encourage open communication by hosting team meetings or suggestion boxes. Use anonymous surveys to gather honest feedback and involve employees in decision-making processes.
- Rule of law: Provide regular training sessions to reinforce workplace policies. Enforce these rules consistently and fairly, building trust across teams.
- Individual liberty: Support employee autonomy with flexible work such as remote or hybrid options. Encourage personal goal setting, such as skill development or pursuing personal projects.
- Mutual respect: Recognise contributions through employee appreciation programmes or shout-outs during team meetings. Celebrate achievements with awards or shared team events to show every individual is valued.
- Tolerance: Promote inclusivity by organising cross-cultural events, diversity training or team-building activities that encourage understanding and respect for different perspectives and backgrounds.
The idea is to naturally integrate these values into every day to create a positive workplace culture.
Using a British values survey to understand what matters most to employees
Understanding what employees value most is key to building a work environment that aligns with their expectations. A British values survey is one of the most effective ways of revealing them, helping HR teams strengthen employee engagement and inclusivity.
Why conduct a British values survey?
A British values survey provides employees with a voice, offering them the opportunity to share what matters most to them. For HR teams, it’s an invaluable tool to assess how well the workplace reflects these core values. When employees feel heard and see their values acknowledged, they’re more likely to feel engaged, productive and committed to their job.
By conducting surveys, organisations can identify gaps between company culture and employee expectations, making it easier to create a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Key elements to include in a British values survey
To ensure you obtain balanced results, your survey should address each of the five core British values. Here are some sample questions you can use to guide your survey design:
- Democracy: ‘Do you feel your opinions are valued in decision-making processes?’
- Rule of law: ‘How clear are you on the workplace policies that affect your position?’
- Individual liberty: ‘Does your work environment allow you to pursue personal goals and interests?’
- Mutual respect: ‘Do you feel respected and valued by your colleagues and managers?’
- Tolerance: ‘How well does our workplace support diversity and inclusivity?’
The results are designed to highlight strengths and areas for improvement.
Design tips for an effective British values survey
A British values survey can appear as a mere formality, so it is important to design it in a way that encourages participation. Here are a few key principles to keep in mind:
- Explain the purpose upfront: Start the survey with a short introduction explaining why these values matter in the workplace and how the survey results can be used to improve the employee experience. For example: ‘ This survey helps us understand what values matter most to our team and how we can reflect these priorities to create a fairer workplace for everyone’.
- Ensure anonymity: An anonymous survey encourages honesty, allowing employees to share their true thoughts without fear of repercussions.
- Balance quantitative and qualitative questions: Combine rating scales (e.g., ‘On a scale of 1-5, how valued do you feel at work?’) with open-ended questions that allow employees to elaborate.
- Keep it concise: Aim for a survey with 10-15 well-thought-out questions to avoid overwhelming respondents while maintaining high completion rates.
A well-designed survey helps HR gather effective data to shape an inclusive, values-driven workplace culture that resonates with their employees.
Read more: Human resources surveys
Examples of British values in action at work
Below are some real-world scenarios showing how each core value can be integrated into daily operations, followed by tips for building policies that reflect these values effectively.
Democracy
- Scenario: A company introduces monthly meetings where employees can propose ideas and voice concerns directly to leadership.
- Outcome: Employees feel empowered and involved in decision-making, fostering trust and collaboration.
Rule of law
- Scenario: A retail organisation conducts training sessions to educate employees on health and safety policies, industry-specific legal frameworks and compliance requirements.
- Outcome: Employees understand their responsibilities within the legal framework, and managers can enforce policies consistently. This helps ensure compliance and foster a culture of accountability and trust.
Individual liberty
- Scenario: A tech company implements flexible work options, allowing employees to choose remote, hybrid or in-office setups.
- Outcome: Employees gain a sense of control over their work-life balance, leading to improved satisfaction and productivity.
Mutual respect
- Scenario: A manufacturing firm sets up a peer-recognition programme where employees can nominate colleagues for their contributions.
- Outcome: Employees feel valued by their peers, boosting morale and teamwork.
Tolerance
- Scenario: A marketing agency celebrates ‘Diversity and Inclusion Month’ with workshops on cultural awareness and panels featuring diverse speakers.
- Outcome: Employees gain a deeper appreciation for different perspectives, strengthening workplace cohesion.
Policy building and practices to reflect core values
To truly integrate British values into your workplace culture, your organisation can establish policies and practices that reflect these principles. Here’s how you can align your operations with each value:
Diversity and inclusion policies
Create frameworks that ensure equal opportunities, celebrate diversity and foster an inclusive culture.
Ethical guidelines
Promote fairness and transparency by clearly outlining expected behaviours, such as zero tolerance for discrimination.
Employee feedback mechanisms
Implement channels for employees to voice concerns or suggestions, ensuring their perspectives are heard and valued.
Training and development:
Offer programmes that educate employees about British values, particularly in areas like respectful communication and cultural awareness.
Using a British values survey helps HR teams to determine what truly matters to their employees, helping to build a workplace culture rooted in core values. By embracing principles like democracy, respect and tolerance, organisations can foster an environment where everyone feels valued and included.
Ready to turn these insights into action? With SurveyMonkey, creating and analysing a British values survey is simple, empowering you to drive positive changes in your workplace.
Frequently asked questions
- What questions should be in a British values survey?
- Why are British values important in the workplace?
- How can British values improve workplace culture?
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