Reimagining employee surveys to make people feel heard and deliver business value

Australian organisations are grappling with employee disengagement, as evidenced by Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report, which reveals that four out of five Aussie employees feel disconnected from their work.

Additionally, UKG’s findings indicate that only 22% of employees consistently go above and beyond.

To address this, organisations must rethink their approach to employee engagement surveys. Here are four key strategies:

1. Increase Frequency: Annual or semi-annual surveys are insufficient. Instead, consider monthly or even weekly pulse surveys to stay attuned to employee sentiments.
2. Keep It Simple: Lengthy surveys deter participation. Limit questions to a handful—perhaps five per month—and focus on actionable insights.
3. Ask Relevant Questions: Prioritize questions that truly matter. Avoid data collection for its own sake; instead, seek insights that drive meaningful change.
4. Act on Feedback: Swift action is critical. Don’t let months pass between survey and action. Show employees that their voices matter.

Remember, engaged employees contribute to business success. To delve deeper, read my full op-ed in HR Leader here.