Practical solutions to cultural problems: that doesn't work!

In the course of their work, Labor and Health Advisors frequently encounter organizations using practical solutions to problems arising from an unhealthy organizational culture. These practical solutions not only cost an organization time, money and energy but also almost never produce the desired results. Many employers and managers are very solution-oriented: they see a problem and a solution is found immediately. Even without first properly investigating the problem. Questions such as "Where is the cause of the problem?", "Who is involved in the problem?" and "What are the possible consequences of different solutions?" are often skipped.

An example is an organization where employees perform a lot of physically demanding work. The combination of heavier work, aging population and employees' physical complaints is causing the organization concern. Rightly so! What happens then is that managers immediately shoot into solution mode, without giving enough attention to the problem and thoroughly investigating the causes. Training sessions are procured where employees are taught how to perform their heavy work, posters are printed with lifting instructions, and employees are urged to perform the heavy work with two or three co-workers if necessary instead of alone.

But if we dig a little deeper into the problem, we come across causes that are a bit more complicated than lack of employee knowledge. For example, it may be that employees are constantly directed to perform their work faster, which causes employees to not have time to adopt proper posture to perform their heavy work safely. Or perhaps co-workers are afraid to ask each other for help with the heavy work because it is seen as a sign of weakness. Thus, there are numerous possible causes that are often more hidden and intertwined with a particular organizational culture.

If you want to solve these problems, you cannot expect easy and practical solutions. A change is needed in the organizational and/or departmental culture. These are not quick or simple actions you can just do, this is a process that often takes several months, and always requires attention. There are many theories about changing organizational cultures, but what is always important here is patience and consistency. This is also how you maintain that positive organizational culture in the long run.

If you find that practical solutions are not helping to solve a problem, look further into the root causes of the problem. De Arbodienst s Labor and Health Advisor can look at the problem with you and spar with you about possible causes and solutions. For more information about the Labor and Health Advisor , visit our website and read more about our services