Executives across the world are facing difficult decisions regarding the future of work. Many organizations are still operating with a 100% remote workforce, while others have chosen a hybrid model that allows a small percentage of workers back in the office.
To plan for the next stage in the “return to normal,” organizations are engaging their employees for feedback. They’re asking individuals to share their preferences for working remotely full-time, working from the office full-time, or a hybrid model. While it’s important to gather data and plan the workspace strategically, there are much broader perspectives that should be captured immediately and addressed through employee surveys.
The nature of work has changed dramatically in the past year, and the physical location is only one aspect that must be considered. We’ve learned new ways of working with one another, and it’s important to assess what is (or is not) working well before we rush back to what we considered “normal” before Covid.
Here are a few questions to consider:
- Are you satisfied with your work? Are you more or less satisfied than 1 year ago?
- What is your favorite part of your job?
- What is your least favorite part of your job?
- Do you feel recognized and valued for your contributions?
- What do you need to be more successful in your role?
- What motivates you to achieve your goals at work?
- What is one thing you would change about the organization?
- What is your biggest concern right now?
- What is your favorite aspect of our workplace culture? Least favorite?
- How often do you find yourself working outside of traditional working hours?
- What is the best thing that has happened in the past year?
- How often do you receive feedback from your manager? Is the feedback you receive helpful and actionable?
- Do you think the organization cares about your overall well-being (physical and mental)?
- What motivates you to communicate and collaborate with your colleagues?
- Do you feel personally connected with your coworkers?
- When was the last time you had fun at work?
- Have you seen an improvement in the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion?
- How does this organization’s culture compare to the cultures you experienced at previous employers?
- Would you refer friends and family to work at the organization?
- What other questions do you wish I would have asked?
As with any good survey, it’s important to listen to feedback with an open mind. Additionally, once you’ve gathered responses from your employees, be sure to share the feedback you received (both positive and constructive), as well as any action you plan to take to improve the workplace.