Before you run the survey
- Decide what you want to learn and what you are willing to change as a result.
- Tell people who sees the results, how responses are kept confidential, and when they will hear back.
- Report a team's results only when at least [number] people in it have replied, so no one can be identified.
- Keep it short: aim for [10 to 15] minutes, and make it easy to answer on a phone for people who do not sit at a desk.
- Offer the survey in the languages your teams speak.
Rating scale
Ask people how much they agree with each statement. A common scale is 1 Strongly disagree, 2 Disagree, 3 Neither agree nor disagree, 4 Agree, 5 Strongly agree. Use the same scale for all statements so the answers can be compared.
Statements by theme (choose a few from each)
| Theme | Statements |
|---|---|
| Role and clarity | I know what is expected of me. | My work makes use of my skills. | I have the tools and information I need to do my job. |
| Manager | My manager listens to me. | My manager gives me useful feedback. | I can raise a problem with my manager without worry. |
| Growth | I have learned something new in the last six months. | I can see a next step for me here. | The training I get is useful for my work. |
| Recognition | My good work is noticed. | People are treated fairly when decisions about promotion and rewards are made. |
| Workload and wellbeing | My workload is manageable. | I can take my leave when I need it. | I can switch off after working hours. |
| Pay and benefits | I understand how my pay is decided. | My pay is fair for the work I do. |
| Team and respect | People in my team help each other. | I am treated with respect at work. | People from all backgrounds get a fair chance here. |
| Leadership and communication | I trust the senior leaders of this company. | I understand where the company is heading. | Changes are explained to us clearly. |
| Safety and conduct | I feel safe at work. | I know how to raise a concern and believe it would be taken seriously. |
| Intent to stay | I would recommend this company as a place to work. | I see myself working here a year from now. |
Open questions (use two or three)
- What is the one thing we should keep doing?
- What is the one thing we should change first?
- What gets in the way of you doing your best work?
- What would make you more likely to stay with us?
- Is there anything else you want leaders to know?
After the survey
- Share the overall results with everyone within [number] weeks, including the parts that are uncomfortable.
- Pick no more than three themes to act on, and name an owner and a date for each.
- Ask each team to discuss its results and agree one change.
- Tell people what was done and why some things were not. Run a short pulse check after [number] months to see whether it worked.
- Compare results with your own previous survey rather than with other companies' numbers.
A starting point, not legal advice. Check the final wording against your contracts and the rules of your state, and have a qualified professional review it before you issue it.