Engagement Survey

It is difficult for any company to achieve its goals with disengaged people. Employee engagement is one of the most commonly quoted requirements for a company to succeed. CEB research tells us that 80% of senior leaders believe employee engagement is critical to achieving their business objectives.

However, a recent report by Gallup found that only 33% of workers are engaged. How does your organization rate in the employee engagement stakes? It might be worse than you think.

The best way to find out is to conduct an employee engagement survey.

CEB research found that 92% of companies conduct an employee engagement survey.

 

Survey Questions

Obviously, the best place to start is to develop a series of questions that can get a fix on employee engagement. Many organisations ask questions that give answers that are nice to know. But these questions are no good if you cannot action the answers. In particular, questions that ask for ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers are impossible to act on if you don’t ask why people feel that way.

Questions like “I like my work” or “I trust my manager” or “I am on board with project X” are difficult to fix without further information.

Also, never ask a question that you don’t know how to fix. When people give answers to questions, they assume you will act on their answers. If you don’t act on people’s answers, they become dis-spirited and lose confidence in engagement questionnaires and may even lose confidence in senior management itself.

For example, instead of asking “I trust my manager” ask something like “When I talk about work problems with my boss he/she responds helpfully”. The boss has a better idea of how to respond to this second question than the first.

 

Categories of Questions

Below is a compilation of topics covered in most engagement surveys. Rarely does anyone organisation cover all these topics. Organisations tailor the topics to their own particular circumstances.

Topic List:

• Culture
• Engagement
• Communication
• Management
• Leadership
• Opportunities
• Reward
• Recognition
• Feedback
• Performance
• Resources
• Enablement
• Training and development
• Quality of life
• Fairness
• Teamwork
• Service and quality focus
• Innovation
• Action
• Demographic questions

 

Questions by Category

For each of the categories, we have listed below sample questions that you might like to use. You can select the questions that are most suitable for your organization. These are sourced from references list at end of this paper.

These questions (or statements) are designed to be answered with a 7 point scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree.

Culture

1. Producing quality work is a top priority within this organisation
2. This organisation encourages new ideas and innovation
3. I can approach management with suggestions and criticisms
4. At work, we are direct and honest in all our communications
5. Employees are always treated with respect
6. Changes to the way we do things are well managed
7. This organisation has a good reputation as an employer
8. I can envisage myself working at this organisation one year from now
9. I have a sense of security in my job
10. My position in this organisation is strong
11. Health and safety is a top priority within this organisation
12. We are quick to apply resources to new ideas that will drive future success
13. Changes to the way we do things are well managed and help us to deliver better performance
14. The organisation is well prepared to meet the challenges of the next 12 months
15. I am confident the company will grow in the next 12 months
16. The organisation is going in the right strategic direction
17. The organisation is changing for the better
18. The organisation is getting better at utilising new technology
19. This organisation is responsive to the changing needs of our customers/clients
20. I feel a strong connection to this organisation's brand and culture
21. The organisation’s strategy drives our plans and what we do
22. This organisation's goals and objectives provide meaningful direction for me

Engagement

1. I would recommend our organisation as a great place to work
2. Our organization motivates me to go beyond what I would in a similar role elsewhere
3. I am proud to work for our organization
4. I rarely think about looking for a job at another organization
5. I see myself still working at our organization in two years’ time

Communication

1. If asked, I could clearly explain the vision for this organisation
2. I have a good understanding of the organisation’s goals and objectives
3. I understand how my work supports the organisation’s goals and objectives
4. I have access to the information I need to do my job well
5. I am consulted, where appropriate, when major changes are made which affect me
6. Employee opinions and suggestions are given significant consideration in the organisation’s decision-making process
7. Communication at this organisation keeps me up to date with what I need to know
8. I feel I can trust what this organisation tells me
9. There is good communication between the different departments
10. 10. I get to find out the reasons and rationale behind any key changes that happen within the organisation
11. Information and knowledge are shared openly within this organization.
12. Communication is encouraged in this organization.
13. My manager does a good job of sharing information.
14. Senior management communicates well with the rest of the organization.
15. of getting in trouble.
16. I am comfortable sharing my opinions at work.
17. We work to attract, develop, and retain people with diverse backgrounds.
18. Senior management is genuinely interested in employee opinions and ideas.
19. People with different ideas are valued in this organization.

Management

1. My manager provides me with the support I need to succeed
2. My manager keeps me informed about how well I’m meeting my goals/ objectives
3. My manager provides valuable feedback that allows me to improve my performance
4. My manager appropriately recognises my efforts and results
5. My manager develops a positive team atmosphere
6. My manager acts with integrity
7. My manager has the skills, knowledge and resources to manage the team well
8. My manager encourages and empowers me to take the initiative and suggest improvements
9. My manager inspires me to higher levels of performance
10.  My manager holds all employees accountable for setting and working towards agreed goals
11. My manager encourages different points of view
12. My manager is available to coach and develop each team member
13. My manager and I have regular discussions about how well I'm meeting my goals and objectives
14. My manager allows me the time to undertake career development activities
15. My manager regularly seeks feedback on his/her leadership style
16. My manager treats me with respect
17.  My manager treats me fairly
18. My manager asks me for my input to help make decisions
19.  My manager handles my work-related issues satisfactorily
20.  My manager is open and honest
21. My manager is available to coach and develop me
22. I respect the senior leaders of this organization.
23. Our senior management leads by example.
24. I respect my manager as a competent professional.
25. The leaders of this organization know what they are doing.
26. Our senior managers demonstrate strong leadership skills.

Leadership

1. I see strong evidence of effective leadership from my department leader
2. My department leader is open and honest in communication
3. My department leader cares about what is on employees’ minds
4. I trust the directors / senior management to deliver that vision and the goals of the organisation
5. My department leader is appropriately visible and accessible to employees
6. I trust the my department leader to appropriately balance employee interests with those of the organisation
7. My department leader acts in ways to inspire a strong commitment to our goals
8. I see strong evidence of effective leadership from my department leader
9. My department leader acts with integrity
10. My department leader fills me with excitement for the future of this organisation
11. My department leader treats employees as this organisation’s most valued asset
12. I understand the mission/purpose of my department
13. I have a clear understanding of the organisation’s direction
14. My department leader helps me to see how changes made today will affect the organisation in the future

Opportunities

1. My future career opportunities here look good
2. The performance review process helps me focus my work efforts to help the organisation achieve its goals
3. I have opportunities to develop skills to achieve my career goals
4. There are sufficient opportunities within the organisation for me to advance and take on greater responsibility
5. The organisation focuses on promoting the people best equipped to meet the future needs of this organisation
6. I want to develop my career within this organisation
7. If I perform well in my role, it will lead to opportunities for me to progress
8. I have adequate opportunities for professional growth in this organization.
9. I receive the training I need to do my job well.
10. My manager is actively interested in my professional development and advancement.
11. My manager encourages and supports my development.
12. I am encouraged to learn from my mistakes.
13. My work is challenging, stimulating, and rewarding.

Reward

1. My performance has a significant and direct impact on my pay
2. I am paid fairly for the contributions I make to the organisation’s success
3. My pay matches my job performance
4. I feel I am adequately paid compared to my colleagues at other organisations
5. The way this organisation rewards people helps produce the results we want
6. My salary and benefits package meet my (and my family’s) needs well
7. My pay is fair for my responsibilities
8. I am satisfied with the organisation’s overall benefits package
9. I feel that I am fairly paid in comparison to similar people in similar roles WITHIN this organisation
10. I feel that I am fairly paid in comparison to similar people in similar roles OUTSIDE this organisation
11. I am paid fairly for the work I do.
12. My salary is competitive with similar jobs I might find elsewhere.
13. My benefits are comparable to those offered by other organizations.
14. I understand my benefit plan.
15. I am satisfied with my benefit package.

Recognition

1. I receive appropriate recognition (beyond my pay) for my contributions and accomplishments
2. The organisation recognises employees for good work performance
3. The organisation recognises employees for the behaviours and results that will help the organisation succeed
4. I am rewarded for exceeding my goals
5. I receive recognition when I do a good job
6. In the last week I have received recognition/praise for doing good work
7. Employees are recognised for good work performance

Feedback

1. I receive useful and constructive feedback from my manager.
2. I am given adequate feedback about my performance.
3. I receive feedback that helps me improve my performance.
4. I have an opportunity to participate in the goal setting process.
5. Employee performance evaluations are fair and appropriate.
6. My supervisor gives me praise and recognition when I do a good job.
7. When I do a good job, I receive the praise and recognition I deserve.

Performance

1. Poor performance is effectively addressed throughout this organization.
2. Senior management is held accountable for achieving results.
3. This organization has high performance standards.
4. People are held accountable for achieving goals and meeting expectations.
5. We measure job performance to ensure all staff are achieving results.

Purpose and Direction

1. I understand how my work directly contributes to the overall success of the organization.
2. I have a good understanding of the mission and goals of this organization.
3. My job is important in accomplishing the mission of the organization.
4. My supervisor provides me regular information about the mission and the goals of this organization.
5. I am familiar with and understand the organization's strategic goals.
6. Doing my job well gives me a sense of personal satisfaction.

Workplace and Resources

1. I have the resources I need to do my job well.
2. The necessary information systems are in place and accessible for me to get my job done.
3. I have all the information I need to do my job effectively.
4. My workplace is well maintained.
5. My workplace is a physically comfortable place to work.
6. My workplace is safe.
7. This organization respects its employees.
8. My manager values my talents and the contribution I make.
9. Employee job satisfaction is a top priority of senior management.
10. My coworkers care about me as a person.

Enablement

1. The information I need to do my job effectively is readily available
2. I have access to the things I need to do my job well
3. WE have enough autonomy to perform our jobs effectively
4. Our physical workplace is enjoyable to work in
5. Most of the systems and processes here support us getting our work done effectively

Training and development

1. The organisation provides training to help me build skills that are valuable to me
2. There is an effective process to help me identify any development needs
3. My manager encourages and supports my development
4. In the last 6 months my manager has talked to me about my progress
5. When I started work I received as much induction training as I needed
6. My manager has regular meetings with me to discuss my progress
7. The performance appraisal process clarifies my objectives for the year

Quality of life

1. The physical work environment is appropriate for the type of work I do
2. The balance between my work and personal commitments is right for me
3. My regular work location is convenient for me
4. My work-related stress is manageable for me
5. I can keep a reasonable balance between work and personal life
6. The environment in this organization supports a balance between work and personal life.
7. My manager understands the benefits of maintaining a balance between work and personal life.
8. I am able to satisfy both my job and family/personal responsibilities.
9. The pace of the work in this organization enables me to do a good job.
10. The amount of work I am asked to do is reasonable.
11. My job does not cause unreasonable amounts of stress in my life.

Fairness

1. My manager treats all his/her employees fairly.
2. The organization's policies for promotion and advancement are always fair.
3. This organization is extremely focused on customer needs.
4. Customer needs are the top priority in this organization.
5. We constantly look for ways to improve our products and services.
   

Teamwork

1. My co-workers and I work well together to achieve our goals
2. My co-workers respect my thoughts and feelings
3. My co-workers and others increase my overall job satisfaction
4. I enjoy the organisational culture and my interactions with colleagues
5. My fellow employees are committed to doing quality work
6. I feel part of a team working towards a shared goal
7. At work my opinions seem to count
8. Teamwork is valued and encouraged by my manager
9. I have a good friend at work
10. I see teams working together effectively across different departments
11. I believe that someone new coming in to the organisation would see it as a place that values teamwork

Service and quality focus

1. People are held accountable for the quality of work they produce.
2. The quality of our products and services are very important to this organization.
3. In this organization we maintain very high standards of quality.
4. This organization understands its customers' needs.
5. This organization is extremely focused on customer needs.
6. Customer needs are the top priority in this organization.
7. We constantly look for ways to improve our products and services.

Innovation

1. We are encouraged to be innovative even though some of our initiatives might not succeed

Action

1. I have been provided with an opportunity to see and discuss recent employee survey results
2. My manager has communicated some clear actions based on recent survey results
3. I have seen positive changes taking place on recent employee survey results
4. I believe action will be taken as a result of this survey

Demographic questions

The following demographic questions are useful for sub group analysis

• Department
• Location
• Length of service
• Job seniority e.g. director, manager, supervisor, employee
• Job role e.g. full time or part time
• Contract e.g. permanent member of staff or contract worker
• Age
• Gender
• Nationality
• Highest educational qualification

 

Frequency of Surveys

A foundation or benchmark engagement survey is usually followed by an annual survey to map progress.

Of recent times, however, more frequent surveys are being conducted to get a real-time understanding of employee engagement. These are called Pulse surveys and are often conducted monthly.

Pulse surveys usually contain about 15-20 questions whilst annual surveys have 40-60 questions. Surveying staff every month can lead to survey fatigue so it may make sense to divide the whole employee population into ten groups and survey those groups once per year. A different group is surveyed each month for 10 months. This means the whole employee population on gets a pulse survey once per year. These pulse surveys can supplement the annual total employee survey so each employee is only surveyed twice per year.

 

REFERENCES

CEB Research

Gallup Research

Surveymonkey.com

Cultureamp.com