In the oil and gas industry, a significant percentage of workers feel like outsiders at work and do not consider their workplace to be a community, according to a recent report by O.C. Tanner. The 2023 Global Culture Report collected the perspectives of more than 36,000 employees, leaders, HR practitioners, and business executives from 20 countries worldwide, including 186 oil and gas workers. Of those surveyed, 19% of oil and gas workers stated that they felt like outsiders at work, while 29% did not consider their workplace to be a community.
However, the majority of oil and gas workers (72%) stated that they wanted to feel a strong sense of belonging at work. The report identified eight key factors that provide a workplace with a strong sense of community, including shared goals, commitment, communication, feedback, camaraderie, trust, adaptation, and unity. Oil and gas workers ranked camaraderie/relationship with team members as the most important aspect for nurturing belonging, cited by 84% of respondents.
“Thriving cultures have a strong sense of community that brings and holds employees together,” said Georgia Portwain, Culture and Engagement Strategist from O.C. Tanner. “Employees who feel that they belong will stay at the company for longer, will be more resilient to change, and are more likely to deliver great work.”
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The report also found that organizations that score high on the ‘community index’ are 100% more likely to have employees that produce aspirational levels of great work, with a 58% lower probability of their employees actively looking for another job.
Despite the compelling reasons to build a workplace community, only 66% of oil and gas workers believe that creating a community is a priority for their organizational leaders. Portwain emphasized the importance of leaders recognizing that a strong and sustaining workplace community is the foundation of organizational success. Therefore, they must find ways to bring their people together and create an environment of trust, unity, and appreciation.
O.C. Tanner is a global leader in software and services that improve workplace culture through meaningful employee experiences. Its Culture Cloud is a suite of apps and solutions, including recognition, service awards, wellbeing, leadership, and celebrations that help people thrive at work. O.C. Tanner provides these and other services for thousands of the most respected companies in the world. For more information, visit their website at www.octanner.com/uk.
In conclusion, creating a sense of community in the workplace is crucial for the success of any organization. The oil and gas industry is no exception. The O.C. Tanner report highlights the importance of building camaraderie and trust among team members to nurture a strong sense of belonging. As leaders in the oil and gas industry prioritize creating a workplace community, they will see higher levels of employee engagement, productivity, and retention. Ultimately, a strong and sustaining workplace community is the foundation of organizational success.
