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Employee satisfaction surveys have become a crucial part of businesses and Human Resources (HR). They are no longer something that’s just ‘nice to have’; instead, they’re an aspect that needs a lot of focus and emphasis.
These surveys are a way for companies to measure how employees' primary needs and interests are being addressed. Aspects covered in these surveys could include management, teamwork, salary expectations, and more.
To avoid high turnover rates, you want to look at the various ways to keep your employees happy, right?
This is exactly why you should conduct regular employee satisfaction surveys.
In this article, we explore answers to a number of questions relating to the topic including - what is an employee satisfaction survey, what is the purpose of employee satisfaction surveys or why do an employee satisfaction survey, how to conduct employee satisfaction surveys, etc.
What is an employee satisfaction survey?
An employee satisfaction survey is a tool used by Human Resource Managers. It gives them a better understanding of how happy employees are in the workplace.
The main purpose of the employee satisfaction survey is to allow management better insight into how they can improve systems and processes that are in place.
It also allows management to see exactly where they need to improve by identifying common areas in which employees feel unsatisfied or frustrated.
With the results gathered from the survey, ideally, the point is to promote a positive and inclusive work culture.
With surveys, companies can listen to employees' needs and work toward creating an environment where employees feel valued and included.
In doing this, companies can get a better understanding of their employees’ levels of job satisfaction. This is incredibly important as high levels of job satisfaction are beneficial for everyone.
Why do companies need to conduct an employee satisfaction survey?
The thought of “why do an employee satisfaction survey” after all might cross your mind. So here are a few important benefits that employee engagement surveys bring to an organization.
1. It boosts employee engagement
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut at work and get into space where employees feel like they’re on autopilot. In this case, it’s easy to overlook how engaged they are. However, you should not let this happen.
Engaged employees will go the extra mile to reach their role targets. So, you want to make sure that they are engaged.
Conducting employee satisfaction surveys regularly allows companies to get their employees’ insights and opinions on the workplace. By actively making improvements, you show your employees that you value and appreciate their feedback.
Simply conducting surveys and taking your employees’ thoughts and opinions into account can do wonders for keeping them engaged. It will help make them feel valued and appreciated to garner a more positive outlook on the company. Increasing an employee’s level of engagement can boost their productivity by 20%!
2. Allows for better understanding
Have you given thought to how employees are feeling?
What are their attitudes (both positive and negative)?
How do they feel about any changes that have taken place?
Do they agree or disagree with them?
Regular employee satisfaction surveys can track and assess these feelings and sentiments over time. This way, management can gauge how the needs of employees are being addressed.
3. Insights into the growth of organizations
Surveys allow for a better way to determine the path of organizational growth. For example, they give companies a chance to evaluate aspects such as:
- ➡ Affording employees with adequate tools they need to do their job
- ➡ The effectiveness of leadership structures
- ➡ The health of the company culture and where it can be improved upon.
Taking it a step further allows for better insight into how various departments function and the sentiments surrounding that specific department in comparison to others.
If certain parts work well, think about how you can maximize those positive points in other departments.
4. Allows employees to be heard
It takes a strong-willed employee to express how they feel. Sometimes, being brutally honest with a manager may not sit very well, and then the employee runs the risk of being misunderstood.
The survey allows employees to have a platform where they can express their views freely in a safe space. Anonymous surveys are an excellent way to get deeper and more honest insights.
This is because your employees know that they won’t face any repercussions for giving their opinions.
“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” - Oscar Wilde.
5. Predicts and reduces employee turnover
High employee turnover rates are a concern for companies because it has their own repercussions regarding time and money invested in employees. Surveys provide valuable insights into how to limit the number of employees that think of leaving.
Asking the right questions enables you to get a clear picture of how happy your employees are at their jobs. It can also highlight what employees want and need in terms of their careers in the long run.
Factors that contribute to employee satisfaction
Let us go through some employee satisfaction factors:
1. Financial stability and salary
For employees, it could be that everything related to job satisfaction comes second to knowing that the company they work for isn’t going to go out of business soon. Financial security takes a lot of stress off one’s shoulders.
So, it makes sense that this is a top contributor to employee satisfaction. For those that feel unsettled in this regard, an employee satisfaction survey could be a platform where these uncomfortable topics can be addressed.
2. Appreciation
If employees aren’t feeling valued and appreciated, you can be sure that this will affect their work output. Not only this, but a whopping 79% of employees who quit their jobs say one of the main reasons was due to a lack of appreciation.
Not all employees will always feel confident or free enough to speak openly about feeling undervalued.
There could be times when they’ve thought that their hard work has gone unnoticed. A simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way in ensuring that your employees feel valued and appreciated.
3. Good relationships with colleagues and management
Often, poor relationships with co-workers or managers can make facing the workday just a little tougher. A lot of the time, the unpleasantness experienced could be resolved through effective communication.
Perhaps even some team-building activities or a weekly team lunch would help? Having good working relationships contributes to employee satisfaction in many ways.
It makes them feel better about going into work, boosts productivity and morale, and contributes to a more positive work environment.
4. Work-life balance
It’s natural for employees to feel overwhelmed if they feel like their workload is excessive and that they’re working long hours. Employees don’t want their work to become the center focus of their lives.
They want to spend time with their families and friends and have time for their hobbies and other things they love. This is especially true when it comes to millennials.
5. Career development
As an incentive, learning and career development are regarded as important factors when looking at employee satisfaction. Employees want to know that the company they’re working for has a keen interest in advancing their careers.
Do companies afford them opportunities to learn new skills or build on those they are good at and passionate about? This also adds to how much more employees are willing to give if they feel they are being invested regularly.
Sample employee satisfaction survey questions you must include
Once you have figured out how to conduct employee satisfaction surveys, include these 16 questions in the survey to measure employee satisfaction level in your Organization.
- What are your thoughts on the company’s culture?
- Is there a sense of connectedness among your team and management?
- Do you feel that the company is open to change?
- How open are managers to feedback?
- Do you feel that your contribution is valued and appreciated?
- Is important company news communicated regularly and clearly?
- How invested is your manager in the success of your team?
- Is there visible transparency from management?
- Is the workload distributed evenly?
- How meaningful do you think your work is?
- Is there enough attention given to career development?
- Are you adequately equipped to do your job?
- Are job roles and responsibilities clearly defined?
- Are your skills and abilities adequately exercised in your role?
- Do you feel a sense of happiness at your workplace?
How an employee satisfaction survey tool can help?
Say goodbye to all your worries about how to conduct employee satisfaction surveys and make conducting your regular surveys easier by using an employee satisfaction survey tool like Empuls.
You can create your own surveys or choose from our templates to make sure that you’re asking the right questions.
Empuls offers a variety of ready-to-use templates and survey questions, using which you can start measuring employee engagement in no time!
Organizations can easily collect and share feedback from time to time from their employees, recognize employee achievements, and promote a positive work culture.
The platform also empowers organizations with actionable insights from the employee feedback received.
An employee satisfaction survey tool like Empuls also helps organizations to understand employee sentiment, uncover hidden disengagement factors through pulse surveys, and lifecycle surveys with a curated list of questions designed to accurately evaluate employee (and organizational) health or wellness.
Final thoughts
When thinking about the costs of training new employees and dealing with high turnover rates compared with the benefits of employee satisfaction surveys, the decision is a no-brainer.
Once you’ve seen the results, you’ll soon discover that employee satisfaction surveys are well worth the time and effort. Make conducting your regular surveys easier with Empuls.
You can create your own surveys or choose from our templates to make sure that you’re asking the right questions.
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