How to Take an Employee Survey

In How to Approach an Employee Survey, I offered my views on how managers should view an employee questionnaire. Here, we will discuss what those taking such a survey should be aware of.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Perspective
• Professional attitude

1. There is no need to be frightened of offering your views to higher management, especially since you have been asked to do so. However, always remember that your answers are going to be in cyberspace forever, unless your employer is one of the dying breed of companies that still mail out paper questionnaires. Even so, data from those are easily transmitted into a computerized database.

2. Do not be hasty in your answers and do not give in to the temptation to turn the questionnaire into a gripe session. That will be hard to do anyway as most of the questions are multiple choice and filled with ambiguity. If you participate in the survey, do so with a professional attitude and answer the questions as truthfully as you can.

3. Do not expect miraculous changes for the better to happen in your organization simply because you and your peers are being asked for your views. Surveys such as these are in large part for the benefit of higher management. It allows them a glimpse into the window of employee attitudes and feelings, even though that window is often cloudy and distorted. Plainly speaking, the survey is not for you, although that is the impression you will have.

4. It is a mistake to assume that your answers are confidential, even though you have been assured they will be. This is not to question the truthfulness and credibility of any employer, but I remind you again that these questionnaires are often completed online. Anything done via internet or intranet is not 100% secure and confidential, especially if you have been required to log into your company’s website before taking the survey.

5. Some dos and don’ts: do answer the questions as well as you can. If there are any that you do not feel comfortable in answering, simply skip them. Do let your manager know when you have completed the survey. Do not give bogus answers simply because you have an ax to grind with your employer. That will do more harm than good. Do not become frustrated by the questions on the survey. They are not designed with detailed explanations in mind and you may notice that most of them are very generic in nature. (Your company says it wants your views and it may, but only to a safe point). Do not assume your answers are confidential and do not be annoyed if you never see nor hear of the survey again once you have completed it.

6. It's possible you may receive some form of feedback from your employer after the surveys have been tabulated and studied, but do not expect it. In over 20 plus years of filling out employee questionnaires, I have never received feedback of any kind. I wish I had but, again, the survey is not for the workers or lower level management.

Tips & Warnings

• Most employee questionnaires have a comment box at the end of the survey. This is where you may share, in your own words, detailed concerns.
• Most employee surveys are voluntary, but do not be surprised if your employer is zealous in encouraging you to participate. Surveys such as these are somebody’s pet project and there is pressure on management to get as many completed as possible.
• Be prudent in your answers and comments. You have no control over your survey once it has been submitted and no idea who may review and for what reason.