The Role of Engagement Surveys in shaping Workplace Culture

Taryn Heinrich

As we get closer and closer to a new year, it’s the perfect time for organisations to reflect on their workplace culture and lay the groundwork for a successful, engaged workforce in 2025. An effective way to kick off the year with clarity and purpose could be by conducting an engagement survey.

Checking in on your workplace culture and employee engagement is key to creating a supportive and productive environment. Engagement surveys are an effective way to find out what’s working, what’s not, and where there’s room to improve. By involving and empowering staff to influence organisational decisions can create a more collaborative workplace culture leading to higher productivity and innovation.

The most common types of engagement surveys organisations can use to measure employee satisfaction and engagement are:

  • Pulse Survey – which gather real-time feedback on specific issues
  • Comprehensive Engagement Survey – which assess overall job satisfaction

It is important to consider how often these surveys should be conducted. Pulse surveys are typically done quarterly or bi-annually, while comprehensive surveys can be annual or biennial to evaluate long-term trends.

The design of the survey is crucial for capturing valuable feedback. A combination of quantitative questions for measurable data and qualitative questions for open-ended responses will provide a clearer picture of employee feedback.

Typically, a survey will explore the following key areas of the workforce:

  • Engagement & Culture
    Gives companies a better idea of what motivates their teams, helping create a more engaged workforce that contributes to a positive workplace culture
  • Leadership Development
    Identifies what’s working well with leadership and where there’s room for improvement. This allows for more personalised growth for leaders, helping them inspire and retain their teams.
  • Organisational Performance
    Spots areas that need improvement, guiding companies to make better processes and workflows, which leads to higher productivity and success in reaching goals
  • Recruitment and Onboarding
    Employee feedback on recruitment and onboarding helps streamline these processes, creating a positive experience for new hires and improving retention early on
  • Health & Wellbeing
    Gives insights into employee wellbeing, helping companies tackle concerns, reduce burnout, and create a healthier, more supportive environment.
  • Learning & Development
    Highlights any skills gaps and areas for improvement, enabling companies to create training programs that boost skills, engagement, and career development
  • Rewards & Benefits
    Shows how satisfied employees are with their rewards and benefits, helping companies adjust their offerings to better meet employees’ needs and improve motivation and retention

The most vital part of any survey that is undertaken is what you do with it afterwards. It’s all good and well to ask for your team’s input, but what do you do with all the information that has been provided? When organisations share survey results and outline the steps being taken to address concerns or implement suggestions, it reinforces trust and transparency. Follow-up not only demonstrates a commitment to improvement but also encourages continued participation in future surveys, as employees actually see the impact of their feedback. Without follow-up, employees may feel their opinions are ignored, leading to disengagement and resentment of the whole process.

While the focus of the results is often on addressing areas of improvement, it’s equally important to celebrate successes highlighted in the survey. Recognising what is working well – whether it’s strong leadership, a positive workplace culture, or employee satisfaction with benefits – helps reinforce positive outcomes and helps maintain momentum.

Ultimately, employee engagement surveys are more than just a tool for gathering feedback. They’re an opportunity to build a culture of open communication, trust, and growth. By consistently engaging with employees and taking meaningful action afterwards, organisations can create an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and motivated to contribute. When done right, these surveys become a vital part of an ongoing cycle of organisational feedback and improvement.

If you would like assistance in developing an effective engagement survey for your staff or for more information on how we can assist you, visit our website www.inspirehq.com.au or give us a call on 5331 1734 to set up your free Inspire HQ People Hour.

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About The Author
Taryn Heinrich

Taryn’s passion is working with businesses and individuals to bring out their best. Taryn developed her HR generalist skills working on investigations, strategic planning, employment contracts, and developing and implementing HR policies and procedures.

Working closely with your business and employees, Taryn has a distinctive talent for setting people up with the tools they need to do their job safely and helping your business operate successfully. If you need help with anything HR related, Taryn is your go-to person!

On the weekend, you’ll find Taryn spending time with her family and friends – she’s always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

For more useful information, follow Taryn on LinkedIn.

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