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Performance experts agree that the work environment has a significant impact upon employee performance and productivity. By work environment we mean those processes, systems, structures, tools or conditions in the workplace that impact favorably or unfavorably individual performance. The work environment also includes policies, rules, culture, resources, working relationships, work location, and internal and external environmental factors, all of which influence the ways that employees perform their job functions.

Lessons learned from the private sector, combined with advice from government experts, make it clear that state government can best sustain continuous improvement efforts by building and sustaining a work environment that supports a high-performance workforce. This means that state government must develop strategies for creating a work environment that attracts, develops, motivates and retains top-quality employees.

In support of managers and supervisors facing the challenges of finding ways to improve the work environment in state government, the Office of State Personnel developed a model of a high-performance work environment using the acronym, " PERFORM." The model identifies the attributes found in a high-performance work environment. It provides a foundation to help managers perform self-assessments to identify and increase awareness of the primary obstacles affecting performance within their respective units.

So, what isPERFORM?

Proactive	People taking initiative
Engaged	People passionate about their work
Risk-Taking	People thinking outside the box and learning from their mistakes
Fair and Ethical	People trusting each other
Open Communication	People sharing information freely
Rewards and Recognition	People being rewarded and recognized for outstanding performance
Measurable Results	People holding themselves and others accountable

As you review the PERFORM model, ask yourself, "Does this look like where I work? Is this the culture of North Carolina state government? Is this the way people behave in my work group?" If you answer yes, congratulations! If the answer is no, decide what you can do today to start building a high-performance work environment within your organization, using the PERFORM model — one block at a time.

There have been volumes of research written about Employer of Choice and engaged workers. Experts agree that best-in-class employers create and sustain work cultures that excite and galvanize employees. Becoming an Employer of Choice is one of the major benefits of PERFORM.

Relationship Between Work Environment and Employee Engagement

It is widely accepted that the work environment has an impact - positive or negative - on productivity. The work environment strongly influences the extent to which employees are engaged in their work and committed to the organization. Disengaged workers produce mediocre results; highly engaged workers produce extraordinary results.

Productivity is about people - highly engaged people. Smart leaders know they are only as good as their people. Employees who feel a part of their workplace and can see evidence that they are making meaningful contributions to the success of the organization will give extra effort to get the job done. In a high-performance work environment, employees feel they are important to the mission of the organization and that they are valued and recognized for their contributions. They enjoy their work more. Something is different in a work environment like this! You can feel it! Employees are excited about their work and put more energy into what they do.

The War for Talent

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that by the year 2010 there will be more jobs than there will be people with the necessary skills to fill them. Low unemployment and Baby Boomer retirements will contribute to the shortage. This means the race is on to attract and retain high-performing employees in state government.

Public, private, and non-profit organizations are going to be competing for top talent as never before, and potential employees will view work environment as an important factor in their decisions to join and stay with you, or to go somewhere else. Employers must be well positioned to win this war for talent. It will not be easy; excellent employees are a hot commodity and they know it.

Quality People Have Choices

First-time job candidates do not have to take the first job that is offered. They can shop around until they get what they want. Once hired, employees don't have to stay where they are if the grass looks greener elsewhere. We must cultivate a work environment that attracts top talent and holds on to the top talent already at work in state government. If we do not, talented employees will find opportunities elsewhere.

What are prime job candidates and talented employees looking for? This is the question organizations are going to have to answer and get right if they want to stay in the race and become organizations people want to join.

If state government is to compete effectively, we must find ways to create collaborative work environments that foster open communication among employees. The challenge is to create a work environment that promotes employee success and makes them want to stay. In addition to higher employee morale and improved productivity, a positive work environment increases employee engagement, cultivates loyalty and lowers undesirable turnover.

If you would like to know more about employee engagement, click here.

PERFORM represents our vision for the State of North Carolina. We envision state government as a place where highly sought after people choose us. North Carolina state government will be an exciting work environment where employees are passionate about their work and hold themselves and others to the highest standard of performance. Our employees will consistently achieve remarkable results.

Build it and they will come.

And stay!

Other Tools

In addition to the PERFORM model and a tool to measure employee engagement, this site provides other tools to assist managers and supervisors develop strategies to remove the barriers and obstacles that can block or slow performance. These tools provide guidance on how to focus on the primary issues affecting work environment and employee engagement, and how to take corrective steps to move their organizations toward becoming a high-performance work environment.

To review all of the tools, see High-Performance Work Environment Tools and Employee Engagement Tools.