Employee engagement surveys aren’t just a box to tick off for human resources professionals and company leaders. They’re the secret to gaining a competitive edge. By regularly surveying employees, organizations can gain valuable insights into what drives employee engagement, where improvement is needed, and how they can differentiate themselves in the marketplace.
But that’s not all. Organizations can create a people-first culture where employees feel valued and heard by giving employees a voice and demonstrating a commitment to listening. This sets the stage for higher job satisfaction, productivity, and innovation.
So let’s take a closer look at the importance and benefits of employee engagement surveys.
What are employee engagement surveys?
Employee engagement surveys are the most effective way to measure employee sentiment. Annual surveys capture valuable insights on a broad range of organizational topics, while pulse surveys – no more than a few questions – target specific topics at a regular cadence.
Top Workplaces research points to many workplace culture themes. Some of the key drivers of employee engagement include:
- Appreciation: “I feel genuinely appreciated at this company.”
- Values: “This company operates by strong values.”
- Direction: “I believe this company is going in the right direction.”
- Meaningfulness: “My job makes me feel like I am part of something meaningful.”
Why are employee engagement surveys important?
Employee engagement strategies start with finding out what matters most to your employees. What is the best way to do that? Ask them. By conducting these surveys, employers can uncover signs of engaged employees, such as productivity, loyalty, and a willingness to refer others to the organization.
The value lies in analyzing employee engagement surveys to help leaders quickly identify improvement areas, maximize strengths, and take action to improve the overall employee experience. When employees feel engaged and satisfied with their work, they are likelier to stay with their current employer and perform at their best, which can significantly impact the organization’s overall success.
Employee engagement surveys are the most effective and scalable way to measure engagement. Here’s why:
- Employee engagement surveys capture valuable insights on a broad range of organizational topics.
- Reliable employee engagement surveys are confidential and encourage candid, honest feedback.
- Employee engagement surveys measure the culture themes that drive employee engagement.
- Employee engagement survey insights can be used to guide people decisions.
12 benefits of employee engagement surveys
Employee engagement surveys offer several benefits for organizations looking to improve employee engagement. Employers can make data-driven people decisions by identifying the key drivers of employee engagement. When leaders ask for and listen to employee feedback, people feel valued, heard, and connected. Let’s look more closely at some of the most significant benefits of employee engagement surveys.
1. Better employee satisfaction
One of the most important benefits of employee engagement surveys is a better understanding of employee satisfaction. Surveying employees ensures that your organization monitors the larger employee experience.
2. Improved retention rates
Successful leaders understand the importance of retaining employees. Employee engagement surveys identify areas where employees feel disengaged, gauge if they are seeking new job opportunities, and pinpoint actions to minimize unwanted turnover. Employee retention strategies thrive when coupled with an employee engagement survey.
3. Increased productivity
Engaged employees are more motivated and committed to their work, resulting in increased productivity and improved business performance. Employee engagement surveys uncover the factors that impact productivity, such as motivation, efficiency, and open-mindedness.
4. Employees who feel heard
Employee engagement surveys help people feel heard by giving them a safe and anonymous space to share their opinions and experiences.
When leaders take action on feedback, employees feel valued and appreciated. This can improve employee morale and engagement by creating a sense of trust between employees and employers.
5. New opportunities
Employee engagement surveys provide valuable feedback that can help organizations identify new areas of opportunity for improvement. By analyzing the survey results, employers can pinpoint specific areas where employees may be experiencing challenges. The insights provide valuable intelligence that enables leaders to make data-driven decisions.
6. Employee trust
When leaders act on the feedback received and make meaningful changes based on the results, it shows that they are committed to listening to and addressing the concerns of their employees. Employee engagement surveys help create a culture of trust and transparency, which can significantly impact the organization’s success.
7. Improved company culture
Employee engagement surveys play a crucial role in building a people-first workplace culture. Asking for feedback and taking action on the results demonstrates to employees that company leaders are committed to creating a people-first culture. Employee engagement surveys are a powerful way to drive decision making and improve company culture.
8. Accountable leaders
Leaders impact organizational culture. When leaders receive employee survey feedback, they are responsible for taking action to address those concerns. If leaders fail to take action, it can lead to decreased morale and employee turnover. After all, it is worse to conduct a survey and do nothing with the feedback than not to survey at all.
9. Employee safety
Employee engagement surveys can improve employee safety by providing a platform for employees to voice their concerns. The results provide valuable insights leaders can implement to improve workplace safety, prevent accidents, and identify training and development opportunities. This can increase productivity, lower absenteeism rates, and fewer workplace injuries, creating a safer and more positive work environment for everyone.
10. Employee well-being
Using employee engagement surveys to improve employee well-being creates a workplace that promotes the health and happiness of their employees. The result increases satisfaction, boosts productivity, and lowers absenteeism rates.
11. Customer satisfaction
Employers can create a workplace culture that fosters high customer satisfaction and loyalty by prioritizing employee engagement survey feedback. Employees who are engaged and motivated are more likely to provide high-quality customer service and go above and beyond to meet customer needs. Engagement surveys help leaders identify where employees may be experiencing challenges impacting their ability to provide top-notch service.
12. Employee engagement progress
Employee engagement surveys help companies gauge the progress of an employee engagement strategy by providing a way to measure employee engagement changes over time. These insights identify where improvements have been made or where action is needed.
Surveys also provide a benchmark for comparing engagement levels against industry standards or competitors. This can help companies identify areas where they may need to focus their efforts to improve employee engagement.
Ultimately, by using employee engagement surveys to gauge the progress of their engagement strategy, companies can make data-driven decisions to create a people-first workplace culture.
Choosing an employee engagement survey
Ready to conduct an employee engagement survey? The first step is establishing and agreeing upon clear and measurable objectives. Consider these questions:
- Why are we surveying, and what are we trying to learn?
- What are we measuring and why?
- Who will construct and administer the survey?
- Who is responsible for acting based on the results?
- Are there topics we need to consider from previous engagement surveys?
When using a third-party survey provider, there are several questions to ask:
- Is the survey anonymous or confidential?
- Can custom survey items and demographics be added?
- Does research back the survey?
- How many items are there, and how long does it take to complete?
- How are the results delivered?
- Are the results easy to understand and actionable?
- Is there access to survey support?
Conduct an employee engagement survey with Top Workplaces
Administering an employee engagement survey provides leaders and stakeholders with a clear understanding of employee engagement. Top Workplaces, the nation’s leading employer recognition program, is based solely on the feedback captured by a research-backed employee engagement survey. In addition to gaining valuable employer recognition that helps to attract top talent, companies improve employee engagement with Top Workplaces.
Participate in the Top Workplaces employer recognition program to take the first step toward better employee engagement. Nominate your organization today to survey your employees and earn valuable recognition as an employer of choice.
Learn more: Improve Employee Engagement Insights with Top Workplaces
Get certified as an Employee Engagement Specialist
Here’s the ultimate guide to employee engagement. This six-module certification covers the basics of employee engagement, from what it is to how to measure and take action.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of employee engagement.
• Boost your professional reputation with a certification from a trusted source.
• Advance your career as an Employee Engagement Specialist.
• Join a network of professionals committed to building engaged workplaces.
• Access exclusive resources that help reinforce and apply the learning.
