Workshop - Our Guidelines for a better working community together
About this workshop
Our Guidelines — A Workshop Guide for the Workplace
This discussion workshop will pause to reflect on what makes our community work well: how we treat each other, support, listen and work together in everyday life.
This workshop is worthwhile
- if your work community wants to strengthen cohesion, interaction and cooperation.
Duration
- 60 min
Aim
- The aim of the workshop is to create a common room chart that will serve as a compass for the team and support them in their daily work.
Who is this for?
- Working communities, teams
Workshop supplies
- Flip chart or use a wall where notes can be attached.
- Post-it notes in different colors
- Markers and pens in various colors
Printable materials from the website
- Print this webpage for your reference if you wish.
Workshop description
The workshop offers concrete ways to build a more inclusive and compassionate work environment.
What can the workplace community gain from this workshop?
The guidance board created during the workshop brings together:
- important shared values
- practices
- commitments.
Documenting and reinforcing these can strengthen a sense of belonging, trust and a positive atmosphere.
The guidance board helps ensure that everyone can feel part of the community: accepted, heard, and valued as themselves.
A jointly created guidance board is more than a poster on the wall: it is a shared commitment to how we want to work and to be good colleagues to one another.
The guidance board is not just meant to be a decoration in the break room. It is a reminder that we have both the right and the responsibility to take care of the work and the people.
Workshop schedule
Workshop Facilitator’s Schedule
Total duration: 60–90 min
1. Start and warm-up (5 min)
- Explain the goal:
“The Guidelines are a team’s shared compass.
It shows what matters to us and how we want to work together. By discussing our ground rules together, we build trust, strengthen belonging, and agree on practices that make everyday life better.”
“Today we’ll create a Guidelines Board that feels like ours and that we can commit to both together and individually. Let’s make it realistic by ensuring we use the values and practices that matter most to us.”
2. Idea generation (10 min)
- Each person writes 3–5 ideas on sticky notes (one idea per note).
Supporting questions:
“How do we treat each other?”
“How do we welcome a new colleague?”
3. Combining ideas (20 min)
- Attach notes to the wall/flip chart.
- Group similar ideas together.
4. Voting (15 min)
- 3–5 votes per participant.
- Select the 3–6 most important items.
5. Formulating the guidelines (20 min)
- Write short, positive instructions.
6. Design and finishing touches (15 min)
- Colors, images, signatures, or a group photo.
7. Wrap-up (5 min)
- Agree on placement and use in onboarding.
Instructions for Participants
- Write down 3–5 ideas about values and practices that strengthen belonging.
- Share ideas with a partner and choose the most important ones together.
- Take part in grouping and discussion.
- Vote for your favorites.
- Help shape the final Guidelines Board.
Wall Board Templates
Guidelines Board
Option A - Values and policies
The values we live by
The practices we commit to
Option B - A list of promises
Promises to each other
Examples of Guidelines for Different Target Groups
Here are some examples of Guidelines Boards:
Guidelines for a Work Community or Team
To strengthen belonging and reduce loneliness.
- We acknowledge each other in everyday life: we greet each other, we ask how people are doing, and we address each other by name.
- We share information and expertise openly: we make sure no one is left out because of a lack of knowledge or skills.
- We eat and chat together: we create opportunities for relaxed interactions.
Guidelines for a Supervisor
How we strengthen an employees’ sense of belonging and reduce loneliness.
- We notice others and invite them in: we make sure no one is left out of tasks or breaks.
- We enable shared moments: we organize regular team meetings and informal gatherings.
- We give appreciative feedback: we make everyone’s contribution and importance to the team visible.
Guidelines for a Young Employee
How you strengthen your own sense of belonging and reduce loneliness.
- Ask questions and participate boldly: it’s easier to join in when you show interest and seek information.
- Share your ideas and perspectives: you are part of the team’s development from the start.
- Get to know and stay connected with colleagues: join coffee breaks, lunches, and team social media channels.
Read more
This content is part of the inclusive tools for a caring workplace. Find out more about our community engagement tools here:
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