Chief executive officers (CEOs) of companies are more likely to consider workplace culture than chief human resources officers (CHROs) whilst hiring candidates.
Research conducted by Hibob, an HR tech platform found that 78 per cent of CEOs think workplace culture is important when taking on new staff where as 70 per cent of CHROs think the same.
Hibob feels this reveals the tension between the CEOs and other C-suite decision makers like the chief financial officer (CFO) and chief operating officer (COO) on the importance of workplace culture.
More than three-quarters (76 per cent) of CEOs discuss culture at board level, with 91 per cent of them believing it is a ‘make or break’ factor for the business.
Hibob also found that 94 per cent of CEOs and the majority of CFOs believe HR has a clear influence at board level. The research discovered that workplace culture is not just a priority at board level but is being discussed far more across most large UK businesses.
Joel Farrow, EMEA managing director at Hibob, said:
We are seeing a step shift in many sectors on the value placed on culture in the workplace. It is understandable that the CEO has become the champion of culture, after all this can only be driven from the top. However, this research shows the opportunity the HR function has to play a greater role in influencing, measuring and advising the C-suite.
The future value of HR professionals will be demonstrated not by focusing simply on the traditional administrative elements of their role, but by playing a key part in generating business value. Their people and culture expertise is critical as competition for talent increases and people change jobs more frequently. Modern, forward thinking HR professionals that embrace this responsibility will be able to influence positive cultural change and demonstrate their impact on the bottom line.
Hibob commissioned Censuswide, the survey consultants, to conduct an online survey of 300 C-level executives in UK companies with more than 500 employees.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.
