Not to be confused with long-established workplace traditions, workplace traditions are established patterns of thought or action within a company. These traditions help build company culture. While the basic gist of each tradition may be similar within different companies, there is always something that makes it unique to each company.

Building Company Culture Through Traditions

The truth of the matter is that companies need traditions. Aside from leaving legacies within a company, they are also critical to forming and shaping great company cultures.

Traditions help create bonds while simultaneously creating shared history. The continuous practice of these events will help build the foundation of a long-standing tradition that will be a part of the corporate culture in the future. These traditions are easier to keep going as employees look forward to them compared to new initiatives that just don’t seem to stick.

Types Of Important Traditions And Their Impact

Some examples of fun traditions that can be started, whether it be company-wide or just for a department, weekly events can be an easy way to start a tradition within the company. Something as simple as a casual Friday for offices with a uniform helps form long-standing traditions in companies. Team lunches when there’s a new hire could be another fun tradition as it gives an easy way to break the ice with the new staff.

One classic tradition that almost all companies celebrate is the birthdays of their employees. This celebration can be as small as a free meal, a team party, or even as big as a company-wide celebration, but the simple fact of throwing it is a big deal. Now, this doesn’t have to be the tradition you start, as bigger companies may have a problem with this as there could potentially be a birthday every day, leading to a lack of productivity. 

The most significant impact, as mentioned before, is the ability to create a meaningful history that later becomes part of the company culture. Similar to how cultural traditions are seen as a rite of passage for many, company traditions mark an important time. This can be seen during employee regularizations, holiday parties, or any milestone within the company. These traditions serve as symbols that help a group express specific ideas and establish social standards.

The Wrap Up

Don’t overlook the importance of traditions in the workplace. As stereotypical or minute they seem, they serve a bigger purpose: establishing a culture within the company. These repeated events hold a special meaning for all those involved and create a rich history, something for all employees to look forward to. Next time HR plans an event, just look at all those who attend and what it means for them. These traditions strengthen bonds and company loyalty, both of which help improve the bottom line.