The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many currently in the workforce to transition from an in-person corporate office to a home office setting, a shift that has created a strain on professional connections. In March, over forty-five percent of remote workers reported that their sense of organizational affiliation had decreased due to remote working. Thus, maintaining organizational trust and efficient communication remains vital as companies continue to navigate these unprecedented times.
In particular, the pandemic has made it difficult for HR professionals to have a grasp on how their employees are doing. A key tool for mending this gap is employee engagement surveys. They allow the employer to have insight into their employees’ opinions on various relevant topics such as company practices, policies and culture.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to administer successful employee engagement surveys:
1. Decide on a topic
First, before conducting a survey, you should decide on a general topic to focus your questions on. Opt for topics relating to current events (e.g. looser COVID-19 restrictions) or a more specific area that can provide insight on employee alignment or satisfaction.
2. Compose survey
Write the questions such that they address one problem at a time – having multiple questions within one can confuse employees. It is important to be clear when asking questions, or else results can be affected. If the question is vague, employees will most likely have difficulties answering which can lead to skewed results. Ensure that you have survey options that are clear and unambiguous (i.e. avoid responses like “somewhat agree or somewhat disagree”). Also, feel free to ask open-ended questions since the corresponding responses will be more specific and will facilitate the analysis of the results.
3. Administer survey
Use a tool that is easy to use such as Microsoft Forms or Google Forms. Other software such as Officevibe, Surveymonkey and Lattice also have great tools for surveying employees.
Ensure employees’ responses are anonymous. This will encourage employees to answer truthfully, since they will not fear any reprisals. Make sure to thank employees for taking the time to answer the engagement survey.
4. Analyze results
The key to analyzing results is to reflect and identify any weaknesses as well as strengths within the company. Once the survey has been administered, it is important to meticulously analyze the data. Identify whether there is a trend in responses as this will give insight into areas that can be improved within the company as well as those that are doing well. Results can also be used as a baseline when comparing alongside later results that may be different. For example, survey responses about the stress of employees can vary greatly between the end of the fiscal year and a quiet work period.
5. Share results with employees
Sharing the results of an employee engagement survey demonstrates transparency to employees; it shows them that their feedback is being heard. It can also guide managers to identify strengths and weaknesses, as well as areas that should be emphasized.
6. Implement solutions/share resources that will help employees
Based on the key takeaways compiled from analyzing the results, identify processes that need to be maintained. The results should also serve as a guide to the leadership team as to what issues should be addressed before they worsen. For example, if the majority of employees are having a difficult time using certain software, organize lunch-and-learn events, webinars and even create process manuals.
7. Cycle repeats again
Administering these surveys on a regular basis will help create awareness of how employees are feeling about present events and company processes, and provide insight into their opinions towards the leadership team. As these surveys continue to be administered, employees will feel empowered that their feedback is welcomed and that their voices are being heard. Ultimately, this will foster a greater sense of organizational affiliation and a workplace culture that welcomes continuous improvement and feedback.
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