09/18/2025

National Workforce Development Month: Workplace Culture and the Foundation of Retention

Every organization already has a culture—whether it’s positive, challenging, or somewhere in between. For providers, one of the clearest indicators of culture is staff retention.

In recognition of National Workforce Development Month, LeadingAge and the LeadingAge LTSS Center at UMass Boston are spotlighting how culture shapes workforce stability. A recent Ziegler survey of senior living executives found that positive culture rivals compensation as the top factor influencing whether employees stay.

At its core, workplace culture reflects the character of an organization: its values, traditions, and everyday interactions. For long-term care providers, culture is visible in how teams communicate, how new employees are welcomed, and how leaders create an environment where people feel respected and supported.

DuPage Care Center in Illinois demonstrates this with an average staff tenure of nine years and leadership tenure of more than 18. Executive Director Janelle Chadwick points to recognition, mentoring, wellness initiatives, and empowering managers as key drivers of retention. The result is a workplace where people want to stay and grow.

For LeadingAge Ohio members, the lesson is clear: culture matters. Whether through leadership training, open communication, or showing empathy during personal challenges, building a supportive culture is not an extra—it is essential.

Read the full national article, Workplace Culture: Just What Is It?, for more perspectives on how culture underpins workforce retention.