Employee satisfaction surveys

As an employer, the happiness of your employees is key to running a successful business. So, it's important you find out how satisfied your employees are.

Conducting an employee satisfaction survey is a great way of getting honest feedback from them about how happy they are in their working life. Not doing so can lead you to losing your best staff.

In this guide, we'll discuss what an employee satisfaction survey is and when you should conduct them.

What is an employee satisfaction survey?

An employee satisfaction survey is a method of measuring employee satisfaction within the company. Also known as job satisfaction surveys, they are used by employers to gain valuable insight and constructive feedback regarding the company, culture and job.

Usually carried out by HR professionals, they should be used as a way to improve the overall employee experience within your company.

However, it's important that you understand the different types of employee satisfaction surveys available to you.

What are the different types of employee surveys?

There are three different types of employee surveys that you can provide to your staff, each unique to the others. It's important you become familiar with them so you select the correct one for your business.

Let's discuss each of them in more detail:

 Standard survey

A standard survey is made up of questions set into different categories. This is the most common form of survey used by employers.

 360-degree view

A 360-degree survey allows you to conduct a company-wide satisfaction survey. This form is more general than standard surveys, with questions regarding the company as a whole rather than specific management teams.

Pulse survey

Pulse surveys are simpler and shorter than the previous two, however they can be more powerful. They are useful for quickly measuring the mood and morale of your employees.

What are the different of responses on an employee satisfaction survey?

As well as there being different types of surveys to measure satisfaction, you can also use different answer types throughout.

Having the correct answer type is almost as important as asking the right question. Often scaled answers are more useful to you than a simple "yes or no".

The following are different ones that you can use in your survey:

• Sliding scale

• Yes or no

• Multiple choice

• Dropdowns

Elements your satisfaction survey should cover

You may not be aware of all the elements that your survey should include.

However, not all the elements need to be covered every time. Ensure you alter your survey to fit your company.

The following areas can be covered in each survey:

• Workload and jo responsibilities

• Communication

• Management (mentoring and support)

• Employee recognition and appreciation

• Company culture

• Employee benefits and perks

You can add new elements from one survey to the next, especially if you spot an issue that needs sorting. For example, an increase in absences.

 You can find examples of question to include in your survey here.

Benefits of measuring employee satisfaction

Job satisfaction surveys give your employees a chance to provide you with honest feedback about many areas of the business. So, you should never ignore the benefits that conducting employee satisfaction surveys bring.

Let's discuss them in more detail:

Helps to identify issues

Arguably the most important benefit of an employee satisfaction survey is that they help you to identify issues you weren't previously aware of.

For example, unsatisfied workers may create a toxic and negative workplace over time. This could lead to a decrease in employee morale and in your workplace culture.

But on the flip side, once you identify the issues - you can make changes to improve employee satisfaction.

Provides honest employee feedback

Employee surveys are a fantastic way in allowing your staff to speak honestly and freely about your company. Receiving honest feedback can only be a good thing for your business.

You'll gain valuable insight into how your employees truly feel, whilst also giving your new ideas to help improve things. It's important to encourage your employees to be as honest as possible.

Helps retain your best staff

Carrying out employee satisfaction surveys are a great way of improving retention within your company. You may previously be unaware of why employees are choosing to find new employment, so a survey will aid you with that.

It may be a minor issue that you can fix quickly, or it may be a wider one that you need to invest time and money in. However, this will be worth it when you start to keep the best employees in your business.

Improves productivity

These surveys aim to increase employee satisfaction and engagement. And the more engaged employees are, the more productive they'll be.

Once your employees see you're willing to make changes to your company as a whole, the more likely they'll start to become more productive.

You should constantly look at new ways to improve productivity, and an employee satisfaction survey is a good way of doing so.

Enhances your company brand

Using satisfaction surveys correctly is a great way of improving your overall company brand. If your staff can see you're willing to make changes on the back of employee feedback, your reputation will be enhanced.

This will also help you to keep your best employees if you're being proactive about making changes.

Improves your decision making

The answers you receive from the surveys can help with your decision making. Especially if it's regarding something you've been thinking about for a while.

For example, you may have previously discussed introducing a statutory right to request flexible working but were unsure if it's the right idea. However, some employees may have said they'd like the option so it helped you make a final decision.

Helps to spot any training requirements

The surveys can be used to help you find any gaps in your training programmes that need to be filled.

Improving your employees' skill set should be one of your top priorities, and the answers you get may help you create the best ones for your staff.

Helps to improve employee engagement

Satisfaction surveys are an excellent way to help improve engagement in your company. It shows you care and value them not just as employees, but also as people.

You should never underestimate the importance of employee engagement. Engaged employees are more likely to see an increase in morale, productivity and quality of work.

Improves the employer-employee relationship

Carrying out surveys will lead to you making changes to your company which will improve the relationship between both employer and employee.

If employees feel like you're willing to make changes on the back of their answers, the relationship between both parties will be improved.

Tips to effectively measure employee satisfaction

As an employer, it's vital you measure employee satisfaction effectively. You should try and make the most out of any opportunity you have.

So, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure you're doing everything you can to improve the situation.

Let's discuss them in more detail:

Ask all employees to complete a survey

To get the most out of your surveys, you should ask all your employees to complete one.

However, you should reassure employees and team members that their answers are completely confidential. Making them aware of this will encourage them to be more honest and open in their feedback.

Don't take the answers personally

Although you're looking for honest answers to the questions you ask, this doesn't mean you can act incorrectly. It's important you don't take the comments and answers personally, but as a way to improve your company moving forwards.

Don't take the honest responses as an attack on you or the business, instead take them as constructive criticism. These surveys are a great way to improve the working life and happiness of all your employees.

You should never decide to treat your employees differently because you disagree with their thoughts or with one of their answers. Doing so is unfair and will ruin the strong working relationship you have previously built.

Use the survey results wisely

It's important you use the results and survey data wisely. There's no point sending the survey out to your employees if you aren't going to use the results to make changes to your business.

You should analyse all the answers you get. Try to spot any patterns that have formed, and act accordingly. Acting on the results could be the difference between employees staying and leaving the business.

When should you carry out employee satisfaction surveys?

There are no specific guidelines regarding how and when you should provide your employees with satisfaction surveys. However, companies typically choose to send out annual surveys to their staff.

But you can offer them more frequently if you wish. For example, if you have noticed more employees are leaving your company - you can use a survey to try and get to the bottom of the issue.

You don't have to send an annual survey with loads of questions. Instead, you can just send one or two to gain insight into a certain issue.

However, sending frequent surveys can lead to your employees suffering from survey fatigue.

Get advice on employee satisfaction surveys with BrightHR

When running a business, it's important your employees remain happy and satisfied whilst at work. Conducting an employee satisfaction survey is a great way of measuring how satisfied they are.

Not doing so can lead to higher employee turnover, extra hiring costs and a toxic workplace culture. So, it's important you measure satisfaction when you can.

If you need any advice on what questions to ask, we are on hand to help. Our 24/7 HR helpline is the best place to get any advice you need.