How to Send Out a Staff Satisfaction Survey

A staff satisfaction survey allows you to make improvements in your human resources.

Sending out a staff satisfaction survey is a way for the human resources department of an organization to gauge the feelings of employees. Sending out a staff satisfaction survey can help improve an organization so that the staff are happier and the entire institution runs smoothly. A survey can include a variety of information and can be completely customized. Following a few golden rules, you can ensure that the exercise is a valid and useful one.

Instructions

1. Begin with an overall question such as "How would you rate your happiness in the organization?" This allows for an at-a-glance reading of staff mood levels. It will also encourage staff to think about areas in which they are and are not happy.

2. Balance open and closed questions. Closed questions have one answer, open questions may have many. Balance the two to allow for easily readable results, as well as allowing staff to highlight areas you may not have thought of.

3. Send out the survey with plenty of time before you intend to collect it. Giving people a week's notice for a short survey will help ensure you get the maximum number of responses. Anonymity is crucial in a valid and useful study.

4. Collect the survey by placing a survey depositing area in the building. This can be a tray or an envelope, although it is best to place it away from areas frequented by senior staff in order to encourage honest answers. A collection envelope by the entrance will be the most attractive proposition for staff members.

References

• Management for the Rest of Us: Employee Satisfaction Survey