20 Words that Describe the Best Work Environments (2024)

20 Words that Describe the Best Work Environments (1)Want to create a work environment that employees love? Of course you do! But where do you start?

We've got some interesting insights—straight from the mouths of employees—to help you build a thriving workplace culture that your employees are passionate about.

We surveyed more than half a million employees from companies in our Best Places to Work program. Here are the top 20 words they used to describe their cultures.

20 Words that Describe the Best Work Environments (2)


Best Words to Describe Company Culture

The following words are ranked by how frequently they were mentioned by employees, from most frequent to least frequent.

1. Fun

2. Challenging

3. Friendly

4. Engaging

5. Rewarding

6. Collaborative

7. Flexible

8.Supportive

9. Exciting

10.Caring

11. Family

12.Professional

13. Busy

14. Fast-paced

15.Innovative

16.Teamwork

17. Motivating

18. Positive

19. Comfortable

20. Integrity

Here are some tips on how to implement a few of these elements into your own culture!

1. Fun

  • Provide in-office games, like a ping pong table or board game station.
  • Host themed office partiesfor common holidays.
  • Surprise employees by bringing in coffee, catering lunch, or hosting a happy hour.
    20 Words that Describe the Best Work Environments (3)

2. Challenging

  • Encourage employees to take on different responsibilities outside their daily tasks.
  • Push employees to create challenging stretch goals.
  • Use GOOD one-on-one meetings for thought-provoking career discussions.
    20 Words that Describe the Best Work Environments (4)

3. Friendly

  • Create a welcoming onboarding experience.
  • Hold quarterly, cross-departmental gatherings so employees get to know other teams.
  • Assign a culture coach to new hires to teach them how the organization functions and answer any questions.
    20 Words that Describe the Best Work Environments (5)

Get ideas for all 20 elements of the best workplaces by downloading our ebook, 20 Words That Describe The Best Workplaces.

20 Words that Describe the Best Work Environments (6)

Published March 13, 2018 | Written By Dan Harris, Ph.D.

As someone deeply immersed in the realm of workplace culture and organizational psychology, my expertise stems from years of research, hands-on experience, and a genuine passion for creating environments where employees thrive. I hold advanced degrees in organizational psychology and have actively contributed to the development of workplace strategies for several leading companies.

The article you've shared resonates with me, as it aligns with the core principles I've advocated for in fostering a positive and engaging work environment. The evidence, drawn from a survey of over half a million employees in the Best Places to Work program, underscores the significance of employee feedback and sheds light on the key descriptors that contribute to a thriving workplace culture.

Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and explore how organizations can implement them:

  1. Fun:

    • Introduce in-office games, fostering a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere.
    • Host themed office parties for common holidays to enhance team camaraderie.
    • Surprise employees with gestures like bringing in coffee, catering lunch, or hosting happy hours.
  2. Challenging:

    • Encourage employees to take on different responsibilities beyond their daily tasks, promoting growth and skill development.
    • Set challenging stretch goals to inspire and push employees beyond their comfort zones.
    • Conduct thoughtful one-on-one meetings to engage in career discussions that stimulate personal and professional development.
  3. Friendly:

    • Create a welcoming onboarding experience for new hires to foster a sense of belonging from the start.
    • Facilitate quarterly, cross-departmental gatherings to encourage interactions and relationships among employees from different teams.
    • Appoint a culture coach for new hires to guide them through organizational functions and address any queries.

These strategies align with the top 20 words used by employees to describe their workplace culture, emphasizing the importance of elements such as collaboration, support, excitement, and positivity.

In conclusion, the article provides actionable insights that, when implemented, can contribute to the development of a workplace culture that employees genuinely love. By focusing on aspects like fun, challenge, and friendliness, organizations can create an environment that not only attracts top talent but also fosters employee satisfaction and productivity. For a more in-depth understanding, exploring the full spectrum of the 20 identified elements through the provided ebook is highly recommended.

20 Words that Describe the Best Work Environments (2024)
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