How to Know When You're in an Employee-Centric Workplace — 6 Things to Look Out For

In 2021, Salesforce launched its “Success from Anywhere” model. The initiative was based on two years of internal employee feedback — the tech giant had sought to find out what its employees really wanted from their employer. 

“Work has now shifted from a place we go to, to what we do,” said Zahra Bahrololoumi, EVP and CEO of Salesforce in the U.K. and Ireland. 

Collaboration and flexibility are the centerpiece of the new model. Employees prize connection, Salesforce found, leading the company to redesign its ways of working — and landing it a spot on all five of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work in 2022 lists, which cover the U.S., the U.K., Canada, France and Germany.

Salesforce has embraced the concept of an employee-centric workplace, and many other organizations are eager to follow suit. Of course, workers, too, want to work for an employer that genuinely values them and seeks to engage and support them. So, how do you know if your employer or prospective employer is truly employee-centric?

1. Communication is smooth and frequent.

Communication is the foundation of strong connections in a wide variety of settings, from romantic relationships to friendships to work relationships. You have many channels to communicate with your coworkers and managers, and you know which one to use if you need to contact someone. Your manager is open and available to you. At the same time, you don’t feel overburdened by your boss contacting you at all hours of the day — they respect your boundaries.

2. There are opportunities to provide feedback.

Internal feedback is abundant. And it’s not just managers delivering praise and constructive criticism — they welcome feedback from their reports, too. You have ample opportunity to make suggestions and offer ideas, whether it’s about their individual performance or the overall direction of the company.

3. Employee growth is a priority.

A company that prioritizes its employees wants to see its people grow. They set them up for success, giving them ample opportunities, including career pathing and mentorship. Employees have plenty of resources to help them advance in their careers. This offers the employer something in return: loyalty and better retention.

4. There is camaraderie — not competition.

It’s natural to want promotions, but an environment that pits colleagues against one another is not conducive to success or employee wellbeing. An employee-centric environment is one where coworkers support one another, rather than compete. They believe in shared goals and a common mission, recognizing that they are all working toward the same objective.

There is teamwork and camaraderie — you want one another to succeed and are happy when you do.

5. Employees enjoy a solid work-life balance.

Yes, this is work, but your managers recognize that you have a life BEYOND the office — and they take strides to ensure that they respect the balance you need. There are initiatives in place to ensure that you and your coworkers have a strong work-life balance, such as strict sign-off times and ample PTO.

6. Leaders are transparent.

Many of us have been with employers who don’t keep us in the loop. This is frustrating and anxiety-provoking. While we know we won’t be privy to absolutely everything that happens internally or externally, shouldn’t we be able to trust that the leaders of our organization will inform us about important goings-on?

At an employee-centric company, leaders are transparent. No, they probably won’t share every little detail, but you can rest assured that you will be kept informed about important information. There is no air of secrecy or distrust.

Does this sound like your workplace? If so, congratulations — your workplace is truly an employee-centric one, a place that makes you feel valued and respected.

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This article reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of Fairygodboss.

Laura Berlinsky-Schine is a freelance editor and writer based in Brooklyn with her demigod/lab-mix Hercules. She primarily focuses on education, technology and career development. She has worked with Penguin Random House, Fairygodboss, CollegeVine, BairesDev and many other publications and organizations. Her humor writing has appeared in the Weekly Humorist, Slackjaw, Little Old Lady Comedy, Flexx Magazine, Points in Case, Jane Austen's Wastebasket, and Greener Pastures. She also writes fiction and essays, which have appeared in publications including The Memoirist and The Avalon Literary Review. View her work and get in touch at: www.lauraberlinskyschine.com.