Survey Cost vs. Value

April 1st, 2008
The most frequently asked question SDS receives is, “How much does an employee survey cost?” For a mid-size organization, the cost of an employee satisfaction survey is less than the cost of replacing one competent employee in a supervisory position. To some company leaders, this type of response does not contain much value since there is no dollar figure mentioned. And to other company leaders, this type of response encourages optimism since they see the potential of huge cost savings in the near future.

An employee survey is a very powerful management tool. Not only does the process empower your employees by involving them in the process of building a healthy work environment, the results from an employee survey will provide your management team with direction so organizational resources are utilized in the areas that matter most.

Empowering your employees combined with a clear management direction are the key benefits to conducting an employee survey. Placing added focus on a more healthy work environment has the potential to improve your bottom line by:

Lowering turnover – Less people are likely to leave an organization if they are happy and feel comfortable in the work environment.

Improving staff efficiency – People tend to support initiatives that they had a hand in creating. Involving your employees in the improvement of their own work environment will pay off handsomely in terms of productivity.

Attracting more qualified job applicants – Competent employees are the backbone of any successful organization. When a company is able to attract and retain competent employees, your customers will benefit and so will your accounting numbers.

Providing a clear focus – Successful organizations grow and improve. The results from an employee survey provide your company with a benchmark for which future outcomes can be measured.

How much does an employee survey cost? The actual dollar cost would be determined by the number of possible respondents in your organization, but placing the focus on the value of an employee survey is where you will get the most bang for your buck.

Survey Data Stream

Cameron Eastman,
President