Employee engagement surveys get a bad rap. Maybe it’s because people assume they’re just another HR exercise, or maybe it’s because some companies ask for feedback…and then do nothing with it (big mistake).
But when done right, engagement surveys can be a game-changer—helping companies boost productivity, reduce turnover, and create workplaces where people actually want to work.
Here’s what you need to know:
The ROI Is Real
Companies with high employee engagement see:
✅ 21% higher profitability
✅ 59% lower turnover
✅ 17% higher productivity
(Source: Gallup)
Why? Because engaged employees care—about their work, their team, and your business. And when you care, you show up differently.
If You Ask, You Gotta Act
Nothing kills morale faster than an engagement survey followed by…crickets. If you’re going to ask employees how they feel, be prepared to take action. Even small changes (better communication, clearer expectations, more flexibility) can make a huge impact.
Example: One company found employees felt unheard, so they started hosting monthly Q&A sessions with leadership. Simple fix, big results.
Keep It Short & Sweet
Nobody wants to spend 45 minutes filling out a survey. The best engagement surveys are:
🔹 Short (10-15 questions max)
🔹 Focused (only ask what you’ll act on)
🔹 Consistent (check in regularly, not just once a year)
Pulse surveys (quick check-ins every few months) can help track trends and catch issues before they snowball.
Anonymity = Honesty
If you want real feedback, employees need to feel safe. An anonymous survey encourages people to be honest—without worrying about backlash. Consider engaging a 3rd party (like us!). Companies that use 3rd parties see higher response rates and more honest feedback.
That being said…if everyone is saying the same thing (e.g., “Communication is terrible”), don’t ignore it.
Engagement Isn’t Just About Free Coffee ☕
Perks are nice, but true engagement comes from:
Feeling valued
Having a voice
Seeing career growth
Working with a strong team
If your survey results show people are disengaged, look at culture, leadership, and development opportunities—not just the snack budget. This is where a 3rd party also excels – they’ll give you key insights AND actions to tackle.
A good engagement survey isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a powerful tool for building a workplace where people thrive. So keep it simple, take action, and show employees their feedback actually matters.
Do employee engagement surveys seem intimidating or too time consuming for you? We can help. We can craft and conduct the survey, then analyze all of the data and provide you with key focus areas and recommended action items - and even help implement those action items. Reach out to chat with us (it's free!) today.
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