A guide to navigating company cultures in temporary positions

To be a success in the world of temporary work, you have to be adaptable: adaptable to change, adaptable to new systems and processes, and adaptable to each company’s individual culture, which can vary greatly from one organisation to the next.

We’ll discuss, further on in the post, just what a company culture is and how best to describe a company culture, but at a basic level, it’s a company’s ethos; their values; their way of doing things. This could encompass anything from communication styles – the way in which employees talk to one another – to specific working practices, to uniforms/style guides, to reward and recognition systems, and so on. It’s what makes up the very fabric of a company – its essence… and very often the reason why someone would or wouldn’t choose to work there.

Getting to understand company culture in temp jobs can be difficult initially, as, unlike permanent employees, who’ve had time to gradually immerse themselves in that culture, temporary workers need to hit the ground running and adapt quickly, to be ‘one of the crew’.

But by actively seeking to understand what makes a company unique – its specific ethos – you’ll transform yourself from something of an outsider into a valuable asset: a person that the  company, and its permanent staff, want to work with time and time again.

The process of adapting to a company’s culture and values starts from day one on the job, with careful observations of those around you. Make sure you pay close attention to how colleagues interact with one another, the level of formality in all communications (whether spoken, written, in meetings), their dress code, and how senior leadership behave around those they manage (and, in return, how those staff respond to their senior leaders).

Have a think: is the environment fast-paced and aggressive? Collaborative and understanding? Is there a clear hierarchical structure or is it more of a flat structure, where peers perceive one another as equals?

Taking all of this in, and making the effort to understand the dynamics of your new workplace, will enable you to embed yourself into the company culture far more quickly.

For example, in a formal environment, concise and professional communication is key – aim for brevity and maybe even talk in ‘industry terms’ at times. In a more casual setting, you might adjust your communication style to be more approachable or even chatty.

And when navigating company cultures, think beyond these initial observations about styles of communication and dress codes. What principles decide the company’s decision-making process? Are they bold and driven by innovation or are they slightly risk-averse? Do they actually have a set of values available to read, perhaps alongside a mission statement on their website, or on the walls in a communal area?

Understanding these core values will allow you to fit in much more quickly and work out what their priorities are, as a company. And, as a temporary worker, you have the benefit of a fresh perspective on things – a different viewpoint than those who’ve been with the company for a number of years. This means you can offer new insights into how things could be done; a new system, process, or piece of software that’s helped you in other working environments, perhaps. This allows you to contribute in a positive way, almost from day one, and shows you to be a potential long-term asset to the company.

Ultimately, adapting to company culture as a temporary worker will only stand you in good stead, being a strong soft skill that you can take from place to place. It shows you to be a true professional, allows you to embed yourself into your new team quicker, and enables you to have an almost immediate impact… which means that particular employer will be much more inclined to use your services again. This speedy adaptation to new company cultures is also more likely to lead to glowing references from management, helping you to land future opportunities.

Read on, as we’re now going to dive a little deeper into just what a company culture is and why it matters, its role in worker performance and satisfaction, the challenges you might face in adapting to a new company culture, and some practical hints and tips on adapting quickly.

What is company culture?

Company culture is, effectively, the lifeblood of any organisation. It’s not something that can necessarily be seen – it’s not tangible, as such – but it’s the force that shapes how employees think, feel, and behave on a day-to-day basis.  It can be as big as how that company projects itself publicly or as small, and seemingly insignificant, as how each and every employee answers the phone. It can cover a whole host of elements, such as:

• Values: The core principles that guide the company’s decision-making, behaviour towards both customers and staff, and their overall approach to business. A company’s values define what they believe to be important and what they don’t.
• Mission and vision: this relates to the overarching goals and aspirations of a company. Each company should have some sort of ‘mission statement’ (usually on their ‘About Us’ page, on their website), which defines the purpose of that company (why it exists – what it’s here to do) and where it aims to be in the future.
• Communication styles: This refers to how information is shared within the company – is it formal or informal, top-down or collaborative, conversational and short and concise – even brisk? Does the company prefer to communicate via email, in meetings, or through instant messaging? Do their emails start with ‘Hi’, ‘Hello’ or ‘Dear’? Do they sign off with ‘Thanks, ‘Best wishes’, or ‘Kind regards’? Is important information heard ‘through the grapevine’ or is it clearly communicated to all staff at all levels?
• Work practices: This includes how tasks are assigned, deadlines are met, and projects are managed. Are processes rigid and hierarchical, or is there more flexibility and autonomy for individual employees? What systems and processes are in place to get the work done? Does the company have a set way of working? Do they embrace new technology or do they prefer to stick to older, tried and tested ways of doing things?
• Behaviours and cultural norms: This refers to the unwritten rules and expectations that guide employee conduct. Does the company have a casual dress code or a more formal one? Is there a focus on work-life balance, or is there an expectation that employees work long hours? Are people expected to behave and interact in a certain way during meetings? Do senior leaders and more junior staff members freely mix and communicate, or is there a clear line between the two?
• Shared beliefs and attitudes: This about the overall sentiment and outlook within the company. Is it a fast-paced and competitive environment, or is it more collaborative and supportive? Is innovation and originality of thought encouraged or is it preferred that employees stick to set ways of doing things? Does the company know its place in the market: for example M&S would know themselves to be a luxury food/grocery brand, whereas Aldi would see themselves as a budget brand.
• Rituals and traditions: Slightly less serious than the other things on this list, but does the company put on regular social events and team-building activities to build a sense of community – a sense of belonging. For example, do they offer company retreats or annual celebrations, such as summer and Christmas parties.

So, that’s what a company culture is usually made up of, but what about why it matters – just why is company culture important?

Why does company culture matter so much?

Well, the overarching reason is because it can have a huge impact on an organisation as a whole: staff turnover, brand perception, customer service, reputation (both as an employer brand and a consumer-facing brand), and so on.

Here are some of the main reasons why company culture, and getting it right, is so important:

• Employee engagement and productivity: simply put, employees who feel valued, respected, and aligned with the company’s values are more likely to be engaged and productive. They’re more likely to want to work hard for that company not just because they have a job to do, but because they actually enjoy working there. A positive company culture creates a sense of belonging and purpose among staff, leading to higher morale and motivation.
• Talent acquisition and retention: A strong company culture attracts top talent, although probably more so if that company is known for being forward-thinking and collaborative in its approach, rather than rigid and authoritarian. People are drawn to companies with values that resonate with them, and a positive and stimulating working environment where they feel valued and motivated to work hard. This usually translates to a lower employee turnover rate and a more stable workforce – both in terms of permanent staff and regular temp workers or contractors.
• Innovation and creativity: A company culture that encourages open communication, collaboration, and risk-taking allows for creativity and innovation. It encourages free thinking and a mentality that ‘there is no wrong answer – only different’. It frees employees from fear, so they   feel empowered to share ideas and work together to develop new solutions – both in terms of internal working practices and for customers/clients.
• Enhanced brand reputation: A strong company culture can also contribute to a positive brand image, which can be worth as much as any big, bold advertising campaign. Companies known for their positive work environment and ethical practices attract both talented employees and loyal customers, as word of mouth spreads. They become a company where people actively look to work and customers actively look to purchase from them.
• Customer satisfaction: A positive company culture often results in much better customer service, right across the board. Think about it: employees who are happy and engaged in their role, and feel valued, are far more likely to go the extra mile for customers, as they genuinely care about the company and achieving success for it. This in turn leads to greater customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. As Richard Branson is famously quoted as saying: ‘Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.’
  

Challenges faced by temporary workers

In coming into a new company culture as a temporary worker, you can be faced with a number of different, and somewhat unique, challenges. One of the main issues is the time it takes to settle into a new company culture and the fact that, by the very nature of the role, temporary work can be short term, not allowing for that time.

Operating within a limited timeframe, can certainly hinder efforts to integrate yourself into company culture, as short assignments make it more difficult to fully immerse yourself in it and truly get to know your colleagues. In short, navigating company culture as a temp worker is all about adapting quickly to become a productive member of the team.

The need for a speedy onboarding process, to get a temp worker on the job as soon as possible, may not allow for full integration into a company culture either. They might not get the full welcome and the same level of training that a permanent member of staff would, so may miss certain things. This, in turn, can lead to uncertainty about expectations, communication styles, and standard behaviour or company norms.

And, of course, it’s more difficult to build strong working relationships with people and feel like a valued member of the team, if you’re only going to be with a company for a short while, which could make you feel like something of an outsider. Unless you’re a particularly outgoing and gregarious individual then you might feel slightly isolated or excluded from social activities or team bonding exercises. This all depends on your colleagues though, and how friendly a bunch they might be.

On a related note, there’s the view from the other side. The permanent employees themselves may well see you as an outsider, affecting whether you feel accepted into the team or not. With that in mind you may not build the strong relationships which are often essential when it comes to fully understanding a company’s culture.

Bouncing from role to role can also present challenges when it comes to immersing yourself into a company culture as a temp worker. Temporary workers often take on back-to-back roles, with different employers, which would require them to constantly adjust to new company cultures and working environments. Sometimes it’s simply not possible to adapt to an entirely new company culture in as short a period as, for example, two weeks.

Something else to factor in is whether, as a temporary worker, you’re sticking to one industry or one type of role. There can be huge differences in company culture from industry to industry. The cultural norms, dress style, manner of speaking, and management structure would be completely different in the hospitality sector to the industrial sector. It would be the same if you were to move from a young tech startup to an established financial institution – the differences are likely to be significant.

Finally (although it should be noted that this list is not exhaustive, and there are other reasons why it might be difficult for a temp worker to settle into a new company culture), there may well be a sort of cultural overlap, where you carry over expectations and habits from previous workplaces that don’t quite fit in with the new company’s culture.

So, those are the challenges you might face, but what about some useful strategies for navigating new company cultures and making the most of your time at a new workplace?

Strategies for navigating company cultures

While there’s no doubt that learning to navigate different company cultures is no walk in the park, particularly if you’re quickly moving from company to company, there are some things you can do to understand and adapt to a company culture, including a little groundwork in advance. Here are just a few strategies that might help you out:

Ahead of your first day:

• Research the company: before accepting a job, have a look at the company’s website and social media channels, to get a sense of what they’re like to work with and their general ‘vibe’. Look for information on their mission, values, and company culture (usually in an ‘About Us’ section). Doing these things will give you a head start on understanding their approach to work.
• Ask the agency: temporary employment agencies often have insights into different company cultures, as they work with the companies in question on a regular basis. Ask your recruiter about the work environment, dress code, and communication styles you might encounter.
• Word of mouth: if you know anyone who currently works for the company you’re about to join, or has worked there previously, then see what information you can glean from them in terms of how they expect to work, act, and dress, from day one.

Day one:

• Observe the workplace environment: pay attention to the physical workspace – is it formal or casual? How do people dress? What procedures and protocols do they follow? Being mindful in this way, will give you an understanding of the overall culture much more quickly.
• Listen carefully: actively listen to how colleagues interact during meetings and in general conversation, and observe the tone of any emails that are sent and any messages on instant messaging channels, if they use those. Are your new colleagues direct, reserved, or lighthearted and jovial? Is there ‘workplace banter’ or is it a more serious environment? Listening and watching will help you to adjust your communication accordingly.
• Identify the Information flow: This is similar to the point above, but less about how things are said and more about preferred methods of communication across the organisation. Observe how information is shared – is it mainly via emails or are there regular team meetings? Or is it more a case of having a quick, informal chat then getting on with the job at hand? Understanding preferred methods of communication will allow you to integrate more smoothly.

From day one onwards:

This could be perceived as slightly vague, as the ‘onwards’ bit is entirely dependent on how long your contract with a company is, as a temporary worker. If it’s, for example, three months, then you definitely need to pay attention to this next bit…

• Ask, ask, ask: don’t be shy in asking questions about the company’s values, goals, and work practices. Supervisors, team leaders, and managers appreciate a genuine interest in their company and will simply see it as you attempting to ‘learn the ropes’.
• Face challenges head on: temporary work often means working on a diverse range of projects, involving different systems and processes, including those with which you may not be familiar. Approach new tasks with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new processes or work with new software. This will come in handy in helping you adapt to other roles in future.
• Work to the best of your abilities: regardless of the company culture, focus on delivering the best work you can and meeting all deadlines. This makes a positive impression right from the start and means you’ll be viewed as a reliable temp worker, who can be called upon again.
• Build relationships with your workmates: make an effort to connect with your colleagues, both within your team and across other departments. Strike up conversations where you can, whether it’s just about the work itself or something you have a personal interest in (within limits, of course). Small talk will help you to feel like one of the team, as well as providing insights into the company culture.

• Become the ‘go-to’ person: You can quickly build a good reputation, even if only working for a company for a short time, by being helpful, professional, and generally getting stuck into tasks. A good reputation as a temp worker can, again, lead to repeat work and glowing references.
• Get involved, socially: If the company organises social events or team lunches, try to make it to them, if possible. This will strengthen your bond with your new workmates, and, ultimately, helps to build healthy working relationships with those around you.
• Ask for feedback: don’t be afraid to seek feedback from your supervisor/manager/team leader or colleagues. This shows that you care about your role and your impact at the company, and can help you to clearly understand your strengths and weaknesses.
• Be ready to adapt: The last (and probably the most obvious) point is that you should be ready and willing to adapt, changing your approach to work, your communication style, your style of dress, as you move from role to role. Very rarely will two companies have the exact same culture, so the ability to adapt is an essential soft skill to carry with you.

Temporary worker adaptation, quick tips for success

The above strategies will help you to navigate company cultures, as you move from place to place, but we thought we’d round off with a few quick tips to take away – some quick wins, in terms of tips for success:

1. Introduce yourself: right from the off, try to say hello to as many of your new colleagues as possible, to break the ice and let them know a new person has arrived on the scene.
2. Clarify your role: make sure you understand your role and responsibilities clearly from the very beginning. If you need to, ask for a job description just so you’re sure of what you should be doing.
3. Set goals: this partly depends on how long you’ll be working with a company. If it’s one day/shift, then there’s no need to set goals. However, if you’re going to be with the company a little while, then discuss short-term goals with your supervisor or manager, to make sure your stint there is a successful one.
4.  Find a mentor: when building relationships with your new colleagues, is there someone in particular you get on with? If so, consider approaching them to be your mentor – your go-to person to ask questions of.
5. Provide updates: communication in any company should be a two-way street. So, aside from the earlier advice to get feedback, regularly update your supervisor on your progress and any challenges you’re facing. Again, it shows you care about the role and that you’re a good communicator.
6. Be the approachable sort: be friendly and easy to get on with. Simple gestures, like sharing a tea or coffee break, can help build a rapport with your new colleagues.
7. Stay connected: use company communication tools (email, instant messenger, intranet) to stay in the loop with team activities and updates.
8. Keep notes: jot important things down in a physical notebook or on your phone – key information, contacts or names of key people, procedures, how you use certain equipment or software. This can be handy to refer back to as you settle in.
9. Be patient: be kind to yourself. Understand that adapting takes time, and you won’t know everything and everyone on day one. Be patient with yourself and others as you learn about your new workplace.
10. Allow time for self-reflection: when you get home after that all-important first shift, and your second and third shifts, reflect on your experiences and what you’ve learned. Identify areas where you can improve and also acknowledge where you’ve done well.

Navigating company cultures in temporary positions: in conclusion

Fitting into a new company culture as a temporary worker and finding your way, particularly if you’re moving from role to role, can be something of a minefield.

It may often leave you with a number of questions hanging over your head, such as: How do people communicate at this new place? What’s the dress code? How formal should I be with people, or should I just relax and be myself? What values does this company try and stick to? What rituals or customs does this place have – both in terms of ways of working and social interactions?

It’s important to get answers to these questions, as that’ll tell you if that company is somewhere you could see yourself staying for a bit, or saying ‘yes’ to if asked to work for them again, and those answers will also tell you whether it’s somewhere you’ll feel valued and comfortable putting forward new ideas.

And there’s plenty you can do to settle into a new company culture as a temp worker, including a little research into the company before you start working with them.

Then, once you’ve started, observe the workplace set up, listen carefully to people in terms of what they say to one another and how they say it, ask plenty of questions if you’re not sure of something, build relationships with your workmates, get involved in social gatherings/outings, ask for feedback as to how you’re doing, and make sure you’re adaptable to your new environment.

Above all, be patient with yourself. No one expects you to settle into a new company culture straight away, so give yourself a little time – some breathing space – and you’ll no doubt be just fine.