What is an employee satisfaction survey?

In the modern business world, knowing what employees need and improving their workplace is crucial for any company’s success. Employee satisfaction isn’t just about keeping workers happy – it’s about creating a motivated, involved, and productive team.

With recent research showing that workers with depression or anxiety lose a quarter of the year in productivity, keeping track of employee wellbeing is more important than ever.

Surveys are a good way to get honest feedback about company culture and job satisfaction, which helps a business succeed. This guide will explain:

• What employee satisfaction surveys are
• Different types of surveys and what they’re used for
• Why are employee satisfaction surveys important?
• Examples of survey questions.

 

What is an employee satisfaction survey?

An employee satisfaction survey is a valuable tool used by organisations to find out how happy and engaged employees are at work. These surveys ask a series of questions to check different parts of the workplace, such as job satisfaction, company culture, how well leaders are doing, work-life balance, and the overall job experience. By conducting these surveys, managers and business owners can better understand how their employees feel and get important information to help them make good decisions.

 

Different types of employee satisfaction surveys

There are three main types of employee satisfaction surveys:

Standard survey

The standard survey looks at a wide range of topics from job satisfaction to company policies. It’s usually done once a year and gives a detailed picture of how employees feel and what could be better.

360-degree survey

A 360-degree survey is used as an appraisal tool for a particular employee and gives a complete view of an employee’s performance by including feedback not just from the employee but also from peers, bosses, direct reports, and sometimes customers. This provides a full picture of their performance and areas for growth.

Pulse survey

Pulse surveys are short and done more often. They focus on specific issues or how employees feel right now, making them great for getting quick insights and acting fast if there are any problems.

 

The importance of employee satisfaction

Keeping employees happy is important for many reasons. It helps retain talented workers, points out problems and chances for training, makes your brand look good, and creates a positive place to work. Happy employees are likely to work harder, stay committed, and be loyal to the company, which all help the business do well. They also offer valuable thoughts on how to run things better and where to make improvements, helping leaders make smart choices.

 

How do you measure employee satisfaction?

When you make an employee satisfaction survey, you might want to include questions about:

• Job satisfaction: Are workers happy with what they do?
• Workload distribution: Is work shared out fairly?
• Mentoring and support: Do employees get the help they need, including to grow?
• Career development: Are there chances to move up in the company?
• Company values and culture: Do the company’s values match those of the employees?
• Appreciation and recognition: Does the management acknowledge workers’ efforts?
• Team dynamics: Are teams supportive and work well together?
• Compensation and benefits: Are the pay and benefits satisfying?

It’s important that surveys are anonymous to make sure you get honest answers. Keep the questions simple, the survey short, and be clear about why you’re doing it and how you’ll use the feedback.

 

Some examples of employee satisfaction survey questions

Overall job satisfaction

• How happy are you with your job and what you do, on a scale of 1 to 5?
• Do you feel valued for what you bring to the team and company?
• Are you motivated to do your best work every day?

Company culture

• How closely do the company’s values match your own?
• Do you feel included and part of the company culture?
• How supportive and cooperative do you find the work environment?

Management

• How well does your boss give feedback and help you grow professionally?
• Are your ideas and suggestions taken seriously by management?
• On a scale of 1 to 5, how happy are you with how open and clear communication is from management?

Employee benefits

• Are you happy with the benefits the company offers?
• Do you think the company supports a good balance between work and personal life?
• Do you feel the company cares about your overall wellbeing?

 

Build a happier, healthier, more productive team

85% of our clients say their workplace is happier, healthier, and more productive from working with us*. So, if you need expert advice, think about working with our team of over 140 expert HR consultants, who specialise in employee engagement and satisfaction. They can give you personalised support and tools to really help improve your workplace culture and employee happiness.

For more resources and expert advice, contact us at Citation for our HR & Employment Law services, including around-the-clock advice from experienced HR and legal professionals and our comprehensive HR software solutions.

*Citation client survey 2023, over 600 participants.