Glossary of Human Resources Management and Employee Benefit Terms
An employee feedback survey is a tool used by business owners, leaders, and human resources professionals to gather insights about employees' experiences in the workplace.
These surveys typically ask questions about various aspects of the job, such as job satisfaction, work environment, career development, and company culture. The information collected through these surveys is then used to improve company culture, employee experience, and retention
Employee feedback surveys provide an opportunity for employees to share their thoughts, opinions, and concerns about their daily work experiences. They allow organizations to understand what is going well and identify areas for improvement.
By collecting feedback from employees, organizations can make informed decisions and take action to enhance the workplace environment and address any issues that may arise
Best employee feedback survey questions
Designing effective employee feedback survey questions is crucial for gathering valuable insights.
Here are some examples of best employee feedback survey questions:
(A) Job satisfaction:
(b) Work environment:
(c) Company culture:
(d) Employee engagement:
(e) Feedback and communication:
Writing an effective employee feedback survey is crucial for gaining insights into your team members' experiences and improving your workplace.
Here are some steps to help you create an impactful employee feedback survey:
Here are some common types of questions to include:
(A) Job satisfaction: Ask employees to rate their satisfaction with various aspects of their job, such as workload, compensation, and work-life balance.
(B)Work environment: Inquire about the quality of relationships with colleagues, communication channels, and opportunities for growth.
(C) Career development: Assess employees' perceptions of career advancement opportunities and training programs
According to the State of Employee Engagement research project, 81% of organizations conduct an employee survey annually, with 18% surveying more than a year and 4% using a system of continuous feedback.
Annual surveys allow for a comprehensive overview of employee sentiments and trends over time, while more frequent surveys like quarterly or semi-annual ones can provide more timely feedback and allow for adjustments to be made more quickly.
Additionally, some organizations implement pulse surveys, which are shorter, more frequent surveys conducted monthly or even weekly to capture real-time feedback on specific topics or issues.
Ultimately, the frequency should be determined by what makes sense for your organization's culture, goals, and resources, while also ensuring that employees don't feel overwhelmed by too many surveys.
Regular communication with employees about the purpose and outcomes of the surveys can also help maintain their engagement and participation.
The examples of companies using employee feedback survey are:
1. Icelandair
Icelandair prioritizes fostering an appealing and inclusive workplace environment, achieved through consistent engagement with employee feedback.
Their annual organization-wide survey consistently garners an impressive response rate of 85-87%, supplemented by more frequent pulse surveys initiated by team leaders. Swift action by HR leaders in response to feedback cultivates trust among employees, motivating continued participation in future surveys.
2. Great place to work
This organization highlights the effectiveness of employee surveys in improving workplace culture and enhancing employee retention. They emphasize the value of feedback-based improvements and the positive impact on recruitment.
Employee feedback surveys matter for several reasons:
Interpreting employee feedback survey results is crucial for making meaningful changes and improvements in the workplace.
Here are some key steps and considerations to help you interpret the results effectively:
1. Review the results: Take the time to thoroughly review the survey results, paying attention to both quantitative data (e.g., ratings, scores) and qualitative feedback (e.g., comments, suggestions). Look for patterns, trends, and areas of concern or strength.
2. Involve managers: Managers play a critical role in interpreting survey results. Provide them with the relevant survey data and encourage them to review the results specific to their teams. Managers are in the best position to take action on feedback, so it's important to equip them with the necessary tools and resources to analyze the results
3. Consider timing and frequency: Take into account the timing and frequency of the survey. The timing of the survey can impact the results, and comparing results over time can provide insights into engagement trends. However, be cautious if the survey questions change each time, as it may affect the comparability of the results
4. Identify key performance indicators (KPIs): Select the right KPIs that align with your engagement goals. These could include metrics like employee satisfaction scores, retention rates, productivity levels, and feedback from custom surveys. Tracking these KPIs can help measure improvement over time
5. Share results with employees: Communicate the survey results to employees. Sharing the findings demonstrates transparency and shows that their feedback is valued. It also helps employees understand what actions will be taken based on the feedback received.
6. Seek expertise if needed: If you're unsure about interpreting the results or concerned about biased responses, consider reaching out to HR professionals, analysts, or consultants who specialize in human resources and management. Their expertise can provide valuable insights and guidance
7. Take action: The most crucial step is taking action based on the survey results. Develop an action plan to address the identified areas for improvement and capitalize on the strengths highlighted in the feedback. Ensure that the actions are timely, communicated to employees, and followed through to demonstrate a commitment to addressing their concerns.
These are short surveys that can be sent frequently to check what your employees think about an issue quickly. The survey comprises fewer questions (not more than 10) to get the information quickly. These can be administered at regular intervals (monthly/weekly/quarterly).
Having periodic, hour-long meetings for an informal chat with every team member is an excellent way to get a true sense of what’s happening with them. Since it is a safe and private conversation, it helps you get better details about an issue.
eNPS (employee Net Promoter score) is one of the simplest yet effective ways to assess your employee's opinion of your company. It includes one intriguing question that gauges loyalty. An example of eNPS questions include: How likely are you to recommend our company to others? Employees respond to the eNPS survey on a scale of 1-10, where 10 denotes they are ‘highly likely’ to recommend the company and 1 signifies they are ‘highly unlikely’ to recommend it.