How does culture affect HR management?

Discover the profound influence of HR on organisational culture and behaviour in our latest blog post.

HR teams play a significant role in shaping organisational culture, structure, workplace beliefs and values, as well as influencing employee behaviour. 
 
The impact of HR on things like diversity, conflict resolution and organisational culture on HR policies are some of the many reasons HR is so important in every workplace.

Read on for more detail on the impact of HR on culture and behaviour, and how an MSc in Human Resource Management can equip you to becoming a successful HR Manager. 

HR impact on organisational culture and behaviour 

The HR department's impact on company culture is vital in promoting cultural diversity, cultural sensitivity and on-going training, creating a safe workplace where employees from varied backgrounds thrive and contribute to a rich and inclusive organisational culture.

Cultural diversity in the workplace

HR departments are fundamental when it comes to promoting cultural diversity in the workplace. At the hiring stage, this is particularly important.  
 
In order to negate any unconscious bias, HR teams may use blind recruitment methods to focus on skills and qualifications over personal characteristics, or ensure that recruitment processes actively seek candidates from different cultural backgrounds at application stages. 
 
Secondly, post-hiring, it is a crucial role of the HR team to ensure that each employee feels valued, listened to and able to work safely, regardless of different cultural backgrounds.

Many HR management teams provide employees with a platform to connect, share experiences and contribute to a diverse workplace, as well as organising events, workshops and cultural celebrations, inclusive of all.

Cultural training and development 

HR teams can support staff with cultural training and development by designing customised programs that address specific organisational needs and challenges. This can include things like cross-cultural communication workshops and cultural educational exercises.

Impact of organisational culture on HR policies 

HR policies impact all elements of business structure and employee satisfaction, which is why it’s of the utmost importance to consider the culture of employees before implementing policy changes.

This way, management can be sure that a smooth transition and positive impact will take place. This cultural sensitivity allows HR teams to anticipate any concerns and implement new policies in a way that resonates with all employees' values and expectations, regardless of culture. 
 
On the other hand, a misalignment between organisational culture and HR policies can lead to challenges in acceptance from employees and therefore slower implementation. This can create friction and upset within teams, which is why it’s so important to have data and examples to back any policy changes and communicate this with teams.  

Cultural sensitivity and conflict resolution

A key skill successful HR professionals possess is navigating conflict resolution diplomatically and without bias. Something important to consider when dealing with conflict resolution is the cultural background of the individuals in question.

HR teams must be acutely aware of cultural sensitivities, recognising varying communication styles and conflict approach from various different cultures. HR managers must approach any conflict with cultural sensitivity and an effective solution which does not compromise any individual’s personal belief or value system. 

How an MSc Human Resource Management can help you understand and drive changes in organisational culture 

If you’re interested in learning more about HR functions, as well as more about the impact of HR on culture, and whether this industry could be for you, see our CIPD-accredited MSc Human Resource Management page. 

 
Our online MSc in Human Resource Management (HRM) is designed to give you an advanced level of knowledge, understanding, and ability around people management and leadership.

The course is 100% online, giving you the flexibility to study online and work at your own pace around other commitments, anytime and anywhere.