Employee survey
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An employee survey is an effective instrument to collect data at all levels of management. The collected evaluations illustrate the perception of customers, suppliers, competitors, and workers. These evaluations can assist management with making corrections and improvements in employment and other policies.
A detailed knowledge of employee opinions can foster an atmosphere of business partnership which is of great value and provides a substantial competitive advantage. The special sensitivity of this instrument requires professional conception and execution. Even small errors can skew the data, leading to a substantial confidence loss by those surveyed. And if the data is not acted upon and doesn't result in changes, employees may lose faith in the process, which will reduce future participation levels.
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Questioning a selected workgroup can generate qualitative data useful for appraising the working conditions of the entire enterprise. The survey is, however, a matter requiring sensitivity and a high degree of confidentiality personnel-economical since the data gleaned can be used to achieve a wide variety of objectives.
[edit] Typical phases of the employee survey process
One can roughly divide the employee survey process into the following phases: phase 1 - objective and project organization (kick off): set objectives, target survey groups, organize project, define analysis and reporting methods
phase 2 - conception : analyze environment, select medium (on paper, online, in person), define type and range of the questioning, plan communications about the process
phase 3 - organization : logistics, streamline entire process for efficiency
phase 4 - execution : distribute surveys, collect completed surveys (- ratio)
phase 5 - evaluation : evaluate optically and contentwise, analyze results
phase 6 - result presentation : hold meetings to present and discuss results, communicate results via other means (determined in phase 2)
phase 7 - action planning and follow-up : plan and initiate organizational development processes based on survey results
phase 8 - evaluation of the questioning : review the questioning process as quality management instrument
phase 9 - institutionalizing : standardize and repeat the questioning process (feedback model), usually annually
Historically, progressive questionings of work groups were accomplished according to the method "fever of measuring": asking - reading off - evaluating - end .
Today, the survey process has evolved to a complex, discrete, event-type process undertaken as an organization-wide project.
Survey results form the basis for often extensive improvement processes. Consistently administered employee surveys can be established as an instrument for improving creation of value the enterprise on all levels. Employees feel heard and validated when they see organizational change initiatives implemented, making them feel their opinions are valued by management.
The organization benefits in several ways: 1) reduced turnover expiration optimization, 2) increased employee engagement and morale motivation, 3) valid and current qualitative data.
[edit] Arrangement of the questions
There are normally 30 to 80 questions in the questionnaire, allowing workers to respond within 30 minutes. Questions typically included are:
- How content are they with the guidance of their immediate supervisor?
- How clear are the goals of their department?
- Are they satisfied with their personal training and development opportunities?
- How content are they with communication within their business -- do they get all the information they need to do their work well?
- How much influence do they have on improving their work schedules?
- How strongly does their department pay attention to the satisfaction of their customers?
- How content are they with coworker satisfaction?
- How content are they with the social commitment of their enterprise?
- How are the results, success, and profit of the enterprise known to employees?
Further questions can follow, tailored to specific needs and objectives of each organization.
