Creating a Winning Culture in Credit Unions

Members come first in Credit Unions. That is the basic bargain, and it is why so many people choose to do business with community-minded Credit Unions instead of large national banks. But if members come first, what about Credit Union employees?  

Since employees are the ever-important hub between Credit Unions and their members, would it not make sense to anchor our focus on members by ensuring that Credit Union employees are treated fairly and with respect? As the organizational expert Stephen Covey once said, “Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.”  

Employee engagement is an emotional state where employees feel passionate, energetic, and committed to their work. Engaged employees invest their best selves—hearts, spirits, minds, and hands—in their work. High levels of employee engagement are crucial for creating a thriving workplace culture, especially in Credit Unions. 

Culture Insights from Thousands of Credit Union Employees

To help you know what Credit Union employees need to be engaged in their work, we scoured thousands of our Credit Union employee survey responses, and this is what they told us: 

Top Five Things Employees Love About Working for Credit Unions

1. Employee and Member Support

• Employees feel supported and valued by management. 
• Positive work environment and team collaboration. 
• Recognition programs and incentives. 
• Flexibility in work arrangements, including remote work options. 
• Strong communication and transparency from leadership. 
• Emphasis on work-life balance. 

2. Community Involvement

• Active participation in community events and volunteer opportunities.
• Credit unions prioritize giving back to the community.
• Employees appreciate the organization’s community impact

3. Fairness and Inclusion

• Inclusive and welcoming work culture. 
• Efforts to create an environment where employees can be their authentic selves. 

4. Growth and Development

• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement. 
• Support for continuous learning and development. 
• Encouragement to take on new challenges and responsibilities. 

5. Organizational Values

• Alignment with personal values and organizational mission. 
• A focus on helping members achieve financial success. 
• Strong ethical standards and integrity in operations. 

Five Things Employees Wish They Could Change

1. Communication

• Employees emphasize the need for better communication between departments and from senior management to staff. 
• Clearer communication of changes, policies, and procedures. 
• More transparency in decision-making processes. 

2. Training and Development

• Desire for more effective and specific training programs, including cross-training opportunities and better onboarding for new hires. 
• Continuous professional development and managerial training to improve leadership skills. 

3. Work Environment and Culture

• Importance of creating a more inclusive and respectful workplace. 
• Concerns about micro-management, lack of trust, and workplace toxicity. 
• Improving employee morale and reducing turnover. 

4. Technology and Resources

• Need to upgrade outdated technology and systems. 
• Necessary tools and resources to perform jobs effectively. 
• Addressing inefficiencies in processes and systems. 

5. Policies and Procedures: 

• More defined and accessible policies and procedures. 
• Updating and removing outdated or conflicting information. 
• Providing flexibility in policies to accommodate work-life balance. 

Create a Winning Culture

Creating a winning culture in Credit Unions involves understanding and addressing both the strengths and areas for improvement, as highlighted by employees. By focusing on employee engagement, Credit Unions can foster a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic work environment that not only benefits employees but also enhances member satisfaction and community impact.