How can an employer put a survey together, and what kinds of questions should be asked?
Prior to drafting a survey, identify what you want to achieve. Once you know what you are looking to learn, think about the questions you want to ask. When crafting your questions, be cautious about making them too open-ended. These types of questions are difficult to analyze, which can disrupt your results. For sample surveys and assistance formulating questions that meet your objective(s), your benefits consultant can be an excellent resource.
How can the employer properly communicate with employees?
Typically, the human resources department (even if it only consists of one person) is charged with educating employees about their benefits package. After potential changes have been identified, reviewed and put into action, it is critical that information is communicated prior to implementation in an easy to understand manner.
Employers may consider an employee intranet to enhance the communication process. An intranet enables employees to access their benefit materials 24-7 along with other company-related information. This is an innovative and creative way to stay in touch with employees, even when they are not in the office. This type of technology is advantageous to both the employer and employee as pertinent information is readily available at all times for employees to review at their convenience.
What are other ways to understand employee needs?
Another way to isolate missed opportunities to solicit constructive employee feedback is by conducting exit interviews. It can be viewed negatively when a person ends their employment, but employers can attempt to turn this into something positive and use it as an opportunity to learn. Exit interviews provide an opportunity to gain insight relative to what the former employee feels the organization is lacking, what made the new employment opportunity more appealing, what they suggest the company can do differently to ensure greater employee retention, and so on.
Renay Gontis is the communications coordinator for JRG Advisors, the management company for ChamberChoice. Reach her at (412) 456-7011 or [email protected].
