Software Engineering

Do You Know if Your Employees Are Happy?

You may believe that your employees are happy and engaged with their work, but do you really know for sure? Get started by just asking them.
Published on
March 2024

You may believe that your employees are happy and engaged with their work, but do you really know for sure?

Employee engagement is a critical factor that impacts productivity, innovation, and overall success of a business.

Yet, according to a recent Gallup poll, only 34% of employees in the US are engaged in their work.

So, how can you accurately measure employee engagement and ensure that your team is happy and motivated? The answer is through pulse surveys.

The Benefits of Having a Highly Engaged Workforce

Engaged employees are not only more productive, but they also tend to be more loyal, have better relationships with colleagues, and are less likely to leave their jobs.

According the SHRM's "Employee Engagement and Commitment", highly engaged employees are five times less likely to voluntarily leave. That translates to a huge cost savings, not to mention the incalculable benefits from the employees' increased contributions.

A highly engaged workforce can drive innovation and improve customer satisfaction, leading to greater business success.

Research has also also shown that companies with highly engaged employees outperform their peers by 23% in terms of profitability.

The Consequences of a Disengaged Workforce

On the other hand, a disengaged workforce can have significant negative consequences for a business.

Disengaged employees tend to be less productive and more likely to make mistakes, leading to lower quality products or services.

They are also more likely to call in sick, have accidents, and file workers' compensation claims.

Furthermore, disengaged employees are more likely to quit, which can result in higher employee turnover costs and lost productivity.

The Solution - Pulse Surveys

Pulse surveys are short questions or frequent surveys that measure employee engagement, satisfaction, and other key metrics.

By using pulse surveys, businesses can quickly and accurately gauge the overall mood and motivation of their employees.

Pulse surveys can also identify specific issues that may be causing disengagement, such as poor communication, lack of recognition, or unclear job expectations.

By addressing these issues, businesses can improve employee engagement, boost morale, and reduce turnover.

If you're looking to put your own surveys together, check out our guide: Pulse Surveys: A Guide for HR Managers and Decision-Makers

How to Implement Pulse Surveys

Implementing pulse surveys is easy and can be done through various platforms, including WorkStory. Here are some tips to get started:

  • Determine the frequency of your pulse surveys. Monthly, bi-weekly, or even weekly pulse surveys are common.
  • Identify the right questions to ask. Ask questions that are relevant to your business and will provide you with useful insights.
  • Keep the surveys short and simple. Don't overwhelm your employees with too many questions.
  • Share the results with your team and take action. It's important to communicate the results of the survey to your team and take action to address any issues that arise.

SHRM's Employee Engagement guide offers common themes from existing employee engagement surveys. Perhaps you can use these as your guide to crafting your own questions:

  • Pride in employer
  • Satisfaction with employer
  • Job satisfaction
  • Opportunity to perform well at challenging work
  • Recognition and positive feedback for one’s contributions
  • Personal support from one’s supervisorQ Effort above and beyond the minimum
  • Understanding the link between one’s job and the organization’s mission
  • Prospects for future growth with one’s employer
  • Intention to stay with one’s employer

Start by Measuring Engagement

Employee engagement is a critical factor that can make or break a business.

By measuring employee engagement through pulse surveys, businesses can gain valuable insights into the overall mood and motivation of their employees. This can help them identify specific issues that are causing disengagement and take action to address them.

The result is a happier, more motivated workforce that is better equipped to drive business success.

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