How to avoid the pitfalls of employee‐satisfaction surveys

Purpose – This article shows how to get the most from employee‐satisfaction surveys. Design/methodology/approach – Describes some frequently overlooked steps of successful employee‐satisfaction surveys and demonstrates how to avoid the pitfalls. Findings – Stresses the importance of top‐management commitment, proper design, good communications and feedback, comparing like with like, and guarantees of anonymity for survey respondents. Practical implications – Urges organizations not to try to handle employee‐satisfaction surveys internally – advice that is unsurprising given that the author is a supplier of survey consultancy and support services. Originality/value – Highlights the advantages to the organization of a proper employee‐satisfaction survey.