The term "workplace culture" refers to the shared values, beliefs, behaviors, and practices that shape the environment and atmosphere of a workplace. It includes how employees interact with one another, the company's mission and vision, leadership styles, communication patterns, and norms for professionalism. A positive workplace culture can enhance employee satisfaction, productivity, and overall organizational performance, while a negative culture can lead to conflict, low morale, and high turnover rates.
The term "workplace" is a compound word formed from "work" (from Old English "weorc," meaning labor or effort) and "place" (from Latin "locus," meaning location). "Culture" comes from the Latin word "cultura," meaning cultivation or care, which has evolved to encompass the social practices and behaviors of a group.