Values at work: can you live up to your values at work?

Being in harmony with one's values at work: is it possible? This question is existential for many employees at a time when the quest for meaning at work has never been so intense. Let's immerse ourselves together in this problem worthy of a philosophy exam.
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Values at work: a look at the numbers

For more and more French employees, values in the world of work are of paramount importance. They are a condition of well-being in the company. This is what a study conducted by Opinionway in 2021 tends to prove: 83% of employees think it is important to work for a company that shares their values.

This study reveals some very interesting things in terms of work values:

  • 58% of employees would be willing to leave their current company or refuse a job if their values don't align.
  • 39% of employees believe that values give meaning to their work.
  • 50% of employees would be willing to take a 10% pay cut to work for a company that aligns with their values.

Another study conducted by Satistita shows the proportion of workers who felt pressured to act against their values at work in France in 2020:

  • 12% of respondents strongly agree;
  • 37% rather agree.
  • 33% disagree.
  • 18% strongly disagree.

Thus, 49% of French employees are reportedly in conflict with their values in their professional activity. Conflicts of values at work are a potential source of psychological distress that can lead to anxiodepressive disorders.

How to identify your values?

What is a value?

The Larousse dictionary gives the following definition of the term "Value":

"It's what's considered true, beautiful, and good from a personal perspective or according to a society's standards, and it's presented as an ideal to strive for, something to defend."

There's no such thing as professional values versus personal values. There are just values. For example, let's take:

  • Authenticity: the quality of being genuine;
  • Sincerity: the quality of someone who speaks openly and honestly;
  • Loyalty: the quality of an honest person;
  • Respect for the environment and animal ethics;
  • Commitment to local communities;
  • Etc.

Discover your own values.

Before figuring out if your values align with your employer's company culture, it's important to know what principles drive you. Each person's value system is the foundation for all professional and personal decisions. To identify your values, there are several ways to do it:

  • Doing some soul-searching;
  • Ask people you know;
  • Take a personality test.

Our values come from our culture. They can be characterized by an idea, a representation of the world, that we cherish. They influence our qualities, skills, viewpoints, and behaviors.

Businesses and their values

Companies also want to show their values to the general public. These are communication strategies towards their customers and employees. Through its values, a company seeks to put words to its commitments to create a feeling of attachment from the public. Let's review a few examples:

  • Nature & Découvertes: "Audacity, Commitment, High Standards, Humanism and Commerce are the five values of our company."
  • Starbucks: "To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time."
  • Decathlon: "VITALITY: It's being positive and full of energy. RESPONSIBILITY: It's taking charge and being an actor in your life. AUTHENTICITY: It's being truthful with yourself and others."

Why are personal values important at work?

Knowing your values is essential. Being able to put them into practice in your professional life is even more so! It allows you to be in harmony with yourself.

Going against your values can cause emotional distress and lower your self-esteem. It's important to listen to your conscience to be proud of the work you've done.

Being in agreement with oneself makes it possible to avoid conflicts of values within one's company. It is easier to make strategic choices and support projects whose meaning is in harmony with our way of conceiving social relations, the relationship to the environment, etc.

Our work values guide how we interact with our colleagues and clients. To be happy at work, we need to be in harmony with ourselves and feel proud. It's important to find a company that shares the same values, giving meaning to the work done each day.

Written by our editorial expert
July 2, 2024
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Frequently asked questions

How to find your own values?
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Our values are defined by our personality, personal history, cultural background, etc. To discover your values, you need to do some soul-searching, talk to loved ones, or take a personality test.
What values can be transferred to the workplace?
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Values vary from person to person, but some of them are frequently found in the workplace: openness to others, hospitality, reciprocity, kindness, respect for the environment, authenticity, etc.
What are work values?
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Values at work are fundamental principles specific to each person and expressed in a professional setting. They reflect an individual's personality and allow them to experience professional fulfillment.