From the desk of Megan Walker – Senior Director
Listening to employees is an ongoing process. The need to seek employee opinion often occurs more often than the timing of an annual engagement survey. Pulse surveys allow organizations to ask questions quickly to ensure that the employee voice is heard on a regular basis on timely topics.
Why should you use pulse surveys?
Quick and concise, pulse surveys are a tool to collect feedback from employees. In ever-changing work environments, organizations can capture data on employee sentiment more frequently. Shorter than the traditional yearly engagement survey, pulse surveys provide a quick check on employees. Pulse surveys allow the organization to focus on a handful of key items. With tailored questions to address specific areas, more targeted action can be taken.
Types of pulse surveys
There are different types of pulse surveys, which the organization can set up to best meet their feedback needs. Pulse surveys can be broad, such as an engagement check, or focused, like asking about a new benefit program. Pulse surveys can be done in waves to target different parts of the organization.
Specific questions can be asked of certain departments. Pulse surveys can be a component of your engagement program as a complement the census survey. This allows for follow up on items from a larger survey to keep the feedback loop in motion.
How and when to conduct pulse surveys
- Choose where to focus. Be strategic about which information is collected. Ask a certain part of the organization about recent change. Follow up on an issue of concern from a previous survey.
- Limit the number of questions asked. This will encourage participation with a quick questionnaire. It also allows the organization to focus on specific issues.
- Pick a survey cadence that works for your business. Pulse surveys can be done often, but they should only be conducted if the organization is willing and able to act on the data in a timely manner. For example, pulsing quarterly allows for time between surveys to review and act on the data, and for the next pulse to focus on a particular issue.
- Share results and follow up with employees. Communicate how results inform action taken and business decisions. Keep employees updated on how their voice matters to encourage continued participation in future surveys.
Most importantly, continue to give your employees a voice – especially during stressful times. Learn how pulse surveys can work best for your organization by contacting us at [email protected].
