Employee feedback, which historically could only be associated with annual performance reviews, is now the secret to creating substantial work experience that enhances employee retention. Let’s have a quick look at the ways companies can gather employee feedback and how this process can be advantageous.
Who should give feedback?
Historically, systems only involved managers asking for employee feedback during performance reviews. It limited the appropriate use of information gathered and could prove to be biased at times. A 360-degree feedback system includes gathering feedback from individual employees, superiors, and subordinates.
The ways to gather feedback
1. Informal methods
- Pay attention to the non-verbals
Nonverbal communication plays a major role in letting you know what an employee is thinking. Expressions such as downcast eyes, averted gazes, and tight faces are negative. They might be expected when notifying your team of bad news. But when you see such effects regarding a piece of news you think is positive, you might need to rethink that. You may also find the reason behind their reaction by asking meaningful questions.
- Engage in conversations
Starting conversations that lead to gaining feedback is also helpful. HR and managers can ask questions such as:
- How’s work?
- How is your project going?
- What is stopping you from achieving the target?
Also, showing more interest in helping them by asking questions such as, “How can I help you?” can help make the employees comfortable enough to share more details about the cause of their problems.
2. Formal surveys
Conducting formal surveys is the age-old method of getting feedback from employees which is renewed and automated by human resource management systems. It allows organisations to collect 360-degree feedback. These surveys can be conducted with online forms to conceal the identity of employees writing them.
- New employee survey
Feedback from recruits in the first three months plays a crucial role in the strategic planning of recruitment and onboarding activities. It also helps you understand the patterns of employee satisfaction and retention or attrition.
- Employee engagement survey
Annual, biannual, or quarterly engagement surveys for existing employees can help gain insights into what is affecting their work performance, job satisfaction, and retention.
3. Interviews
Interviewing your high performers and asking them questions related to the work process, availability of opportunities to grow, work relations with colleagues, distribution of resources, and so on helps employers gather valuable feedback. Employees should be asked about their preferences, likes, and dislikes about their jobs. The results must then be utilised to create ‘stay plans’ for the top performers. HRMS can be used to schedule, notify, and conduct these interviews easily.
4. Review sites
Many employees, especially the frustrated ones, take to writing harsh reviews on recruitment and review websites. Employers must also keep an eye on these platforms, not to avenge their defamation, but to enquire and take positive and corrective actions against the issues highlighted there.
Benefits of employee feedback
Employee feedback presents organisations with endless benefits. The top among them include:
1. Continual improvement model
Organisations need to upgrade their policies and procedures in compliance with ever-changing market conditions and regulations. Gathering employee feedback can help fulfil this requirement while making sure that the productivity of employees is not hindered.
2. Increased employee engagement
Asking for feedback, listening to it patiently, and taking action to improve problems helps employees feel valued. Employees who feel valued generally engage in work more and perform better than those who do not.
3. Empowered decision making
All strategic decisions aimed at enhancing the growth of the organisation and employees can be supported by employee feedback. It adds value to the process of decision-making.
Conclusion
Employee feedback is as important as customer feedback. No organisation can grow if its employees are unhappy with their workplace or work culture. Their problems must be listened to and acted upon to enhance employee retention. Sentrient’s HR management system is the right tool that can help you achieve comprehensive employee feedback and much more. Contact us today to help you provide a better workplace for your employees.
This blog post was originally published here.
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