Member Login
Search

Employee Evaluations of the Organizations

Keeping up the morale of the staff can be a difficult challenge. Responding to the needs of your workforce is important. That is why getting feedback from all levels of staff can help an organization build a positive working environment and allow staff an outlet to air grievances in a constructive manner. Additionally, it can be used in a team building environment where you meet with portions of the staff who can collectively give feedback to improve the work environment.

Below are some different approaches and tips for soliciting and engaging your staff:

Employee Satisfaction Surveys:

Below are some sample questions for creating a Staff Satisfaction Survey. An organization may want to keep the feedback anonymous to solicit unfiltered comments and feeling from staff.

Sample Questions to be ranked on a 1-5 scale:

  • I find a strong sense of accomplishment at work.
  • My work is satisfying to me.
  • I have the necessary resources to do my job.
  • I received the necessary training to do my job.
  • My co-workers are committed to doing quality work.
  • At work, my opinions seem to count.
  • My supervisor at [insert organization name] cares about me on a personal level.
  • At least one of my co-workers at [insert organization name] cares about me on a personal level.
  • I have opportunities at work to learn and grow through personal and professional development.
  • My supervisor at [insert organization name] recognizes my good work.
  • During the past six months, I have considered leaving this organization for another job. Why? Please check all that apply:
    • Wages
    • Benefits
    • Hours
    • Leadership
    • Organization Culture
    • Other: ___________________
  • My supervisor communicated the results of the last survey to me. (if applicable)
  • My organization developed action plans around the results of the last survey. (if applicable)
  • I am given enough authority to do my job effectively.
  • My supervisor values my input.
  • The people I work with treat me with acceptance and respect.
  • I feel I am paid fairly for the work that I do.
  • I am proud to work for this organization.
  • I would recommend [insert organization name] to a loved one for their care. Comment Questions
  • What do you like most about your job?
  • What ideas do you have that would make this organization a better place to work?
  • Is there any additional training you feel would help you do your job more successfully?
  • Additional comments/suggestions:

In Person Reviews:

In person reviews can be a little more intimidating for staff. It is important that staff have some outlet to communicate their feeling and issues.

When talking to staff, here are some communication methods for making your team feel at ease during a conversation.

Verbal Communication

Keep your conversations solution-focused. It is easy in times of stress to find conversations turning into complaints. Empower your staff to come up with solutions to their concerns, and help them implement their ideas. You will see buy-in and teamwork when frontline staff experience those small wins! For more on this, read the Harvard Business Review article by Teresa Amabile and Steven J. Kramer, The Power of Small Wins. Or, watch this short video by Teresa Amabile, titled, The Progress Principle.

Acknowledge your staff. Do you offer enough praise? When you compliment your staff, you set a culture of positivity. The more staff receive praise from you, the more they will in turn praise one another. You are setting the example. Staff who praise one another instill confidence in one another. For more on this, read In Praise of Praising Your Employees, by Jennifer Robinson in the Gallup Business Journal.

Repeat what you’ve heard back to the staff member. This will help to ensure you have accurately interpreted what the staff member is saying, and will positively build your relationship as staff know they have been understood. For more on this, and other emotional intelligence tools, read Coaching for Emotional Intelligence (pp. 28-29), or the article Being Smart Only Takes You So Far, both by Bob Wall.

Use positive words. Word choice provides a platform to form an opinion. Choosing positive words can help to inform positive thought. Positive thoughts and feelings translate into positive nonverbal communication, which is noted below. For more on this, read Focus on the Good Stuff by Mike Robbins (pp. 117 – 122).

Nonverbal Communication 

Evidence suggests that nonverbal communication is far more important than verbal communication. This means if you say one thing, but nonverbally show another, your team members may not believe what you are saying. It is important that you demonstrate honest and positive nonverbal messages in your communications. For more on this, read Body Language for Leaders, by Carol Kinsey Goman.

Additional Resources

LeadingAge Minnesota’s Engaging Your Team Members Conversation Tools