What needs to adapt: Workers or company culture?

Employers and job seekers disagree on who should adapt to workplace culture as companies vie to attract talent and people look for their next opportunity.

According to a new survey from Express Employment Professionals and The Harris Poll, more than half of hiring managers (56 per cent) believe it’s up to employees to fit into company culture, while 44 per cent say organizations should evolve to meet changing expectations.

Job seekers see it differently: 54 per cent think company culture needs to adapt, compared to 46 per cent who believe workers should adjust. The gap is wider among women, with 59 per cent saying culture should change, versus 49 per cent of men.

Despite the divide, most employers recognize the need for flexibility. More than eight out of 10 (84 per cent) of hiring managers said their organization is open to changing its culture to attract qualified candidates, retain employees and boost morale. Nearly four in 10 cited talent attraction as a key reason for adapting, while 42 per cent pointed to retention.

“When it comes to workplace culture, the most effective path forward is one where both employers and employees are willing to adapt,” said Bob Funk, Jr., CEO of Express Employment Professionals. “Success isn’t about one side yielding to the other. It’s about meeting in the middle to build a culture that supports business goals while also resonating with today’s workforce.”

The survey also found that 88 per cent of companies believe they already have the tools to train new hires to fit in, with 42 per cent strongly confident in their ability to shape cultural alignment from day one.

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