Employee Engagement Survey: A Guide for Employers

Employee engagement has become an essential aspect of workplace culture; it is not just a buzzword. Employee engagement is a critical driver of organizational success, productivity, and employee retention. Employers who prioritize employee engagement see a significant impact to their bottom line, including higher revenue, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide for employers on employee engagement surveys, including what they are, why they are important, how to design and implement an effective survey, and how to analyze and act on the survey results.

What is an employee engagement survey?

An employee engagement survey is a tool that helps organizations measure the level of engagement among their employees. It is a series of questions designed to gather feedback from employees on various aspects of their work experience, including job satisfaction, company culture, leadership, communication, and career development.

The purpose of an employee engagement survey is to identify areas where the organization can improve and increase employee engagement. By gathering employee feedback, employers can better understand their employees’ needs, concerns, and expectations, and take action to address any issues or concerns that arise.

Why are employee engagement surveys important?

Employee engagement surveys are important for several reasons:

Identify areas for improvement

Employee engagement surveys provide valuable insights into what employees think about their job and work environment. Employers can use this feedback to identify areas that need improvement, such as communication, recognition, career development, or work-life balance.

Increase employee engagement

Employee engagement surveys help to create a culture of engagement by showing employees that their opinions matter and that their employer is committed to creating a positive work environment.

Boost productivity and retention

Engaged employees are more productive and less likely to leave their jobs. Employee engagement surveys can help employers identify the factors that affect employee engagement and take action to increase engagement and reduce turnover.

Enhance customer satisfaction

Engaged employees are more likely to provide excellent customer service, which can result in increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

How to design an effective employee engagement survey

To effectively measure your staff’s perceptions of your organization, your employee engagement questionnaire should focus on several key factors, including learning and development opportunities, pride in work, interaction with colleagues, and long-term career prospects. Depending on your industry and business objectives, you may need to incorporate additional elements to tailor the questionnaire to your specific needs.

The main goal of the questionnaire is to gain insight into your employees’ level of job satisfaction and their willingness to commit to your organization in the long term. By gathering this valuable feedback, you can identify areas for improvement and take proactive steps to enhance employee engagement and retention. Here are some key steps to follow:

Define the survey objectives

Before designing the survey, it’s essential to identify the objectives and goals. What do you want to achieve with the survey? Are you looking to identify specific areas for improvement, or do you want to gather general feedback on employee engagement?

Select the right questions

The questions you include in the survey should be relevant, meaningful, and easy to understand. Consider using a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. Ensure that the questions are unbiased and avoid leading questions.

Keep the survey short and simple

The survey should be short enough to complete in 10-15 minutes, and the questions should be easy to understand. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may confuse respondents.

What type of questions should I ask on the employee engagement survey?

Now that you understand the importance of implementing an employee engagement survey, it’s essential to consider the types of questions you should ask to effectively measure your staff’s perceptions. To assist you with this, we have provided a list of suitable questions:

• On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with your current job?
• Would you consider leaving your current job for a position at another company?
• How do you rate your work-life balance?
• What is the primary reason you would consider leaving your current job?
• Do you see opportunities for career growth and development in your current role?
• Do you feel valued in your current position?
• Is feedback from your manager productive and helpful?
• What is your favourite aspect of working for this company?
• Do you feel that your contributions are recognized and appreciated?
• How would you describe the company culture?
• Do your colleagues treat you with respect?
• Do you enjoy working for this company?

These employee engagement survey questions address a broad range of topics, and you can include additional questions to meet your specific needs, such as inquiries about company car parking or an open comment section for employees to provide additional feedback.

Ultimately, the questions should provide insight into important aspects of your business, such as managerial style, employee retention, and company culture. By asking the right questions, you can gather valuable feedback to identify areas for improvement and take proactive steps to enhance employee engagement and retention.

Implementing an employee engagement survey

Once the survey is designed, it’s time to implement it. Here are some key steps to follow:

Determine the method of administration

Employee engagement surveys can be administered online, via email, or in person. Choose a method that is most convenient for employees and allows for easy tracking of responses.

Communicate the purpose and importance of the survey

It’s essential to communicate the purpose and importance of the survey to employees to encourage participation and ensure honest feedback.

Set a deadline for completing the survey

Set a deadline for completing the survey and communicate it to employees. This will help ensure that all employees have an opportunity to participate and that the results are timely.

Follow up with reminders

Send reminders to employees who have not yet completed the survey to encourage participation and ensure a high response rate.

Analyzing and acting on the survey results

Once the survey is complete, it’s time to analyze the results and take action. Here are some key steps to follow:

Analyze the data

Analyze the survey data to identify trends and patterns. Look for areas where employees are highly engaged and areas where engagement is low.

Share the results

Share the survey results with employees to demonstrate that their feedback is valued and to encourage transparency and communication.

Develop an action plan

Develop an action plan to address the areas where employee engagement is low. This plan should include specific actions, timelines, and responsible parties.

Monitor progress

Monitor progress regularly to ensure that the action plan is effective and that employee engagement is increasing.

Celebrate successes

Celebrate successes and share them with employees to demonstrate the organization’s commitment to employee engagement and to encourage continued participation in future surveys.

Do you need help setting up your employee engagement survey?

Employee engagement surveys are an essential tool for employers to measure and improve employee engagement. By gathering feedback from employees, employers can identify areas for improvement, increase engagement, and enhance productivity, retention, and customer satisfaction.

Employers who prioritize employee engagement see a significant impact on their bottom line, and the survey results provide valuable insights into what employees think about their job and work environment.

If you’re unsure how exactly to go about setting up an employee engagement survey, it’s always best to ask for HR advice. Peninsula’s services allow you to receive quality advice on any employment issues you may have. Contact us at 1 (833) 247-3652 to speak with one of our experts today.