Culture So Good Employees Offered to Take a Pay Cut

Workplace culture is the heartbeat of any business. Whether we intentionally create it or not, culture shapes how teams work together, how employees feel and ultimately, how the business performs. Yet, when we don't spend intentional effort on workplace culture, it can become a melting pot of the people we have in our team and often lack harmony and efficiency.

So, how can we create a positive workplace culture?

Dave and Cat McCarthy, founders of McCarthy Plumbing Group, understand firsthand the importance of workplace culture, having had both positive and negative workplace culture experiences.

In Dave's experience as a plumber and construction manager, he noted that "culture wasn't big on the agenda. It was more you used your guys to their strengths, you burn them out, you send them on, you get a new crew." However, founding a business with Cat's background in the not-for-profit sector allowed them to establish a different cultural standard in their plumbing business.

Cat explained that culture is "perpetual. It's not just taking the team paint-balling or go-carting. It's the real little things, the acknowledgment, the recognition for the small things, the traditions." Cat and Dave invest significant time in their relationships and support the personal direction of growth through monthly team meetings, six-monthly one-on-ones, and celebrating milestones. By fostering transparency about the business's situation and direction, they could gain buy-in from their staff, helping the business meet its operational goals.

The strength of their intentional culture became clear during the crisis of COVID-19. "We had guys willing to drop pay or go down on hourly rate just to get us through… We never had to do it, but it was just like, 'wow', they really have our back."

The benefits of investing in workplace culture extend beyond the generous offers of support during times of crisis. This investment is reflected in McCarthy Plumbing Group's high staff retention and many team members actively recommending others to apply for jobs.

Their advice is clear for businesses uncertain about cultivating a positive workplace culture: "It's not just talking about culture. Live the culture of the company and make sure your people are looked after because if you look after your people, they'll look after you."

Building a great culture doesn't require expensive team-building activities or barbeques. What matters most is creating an environment where your people feel cared for and valued every day.

Written by Ashley Belteky