Corporate Wellness Survey Guide: Key Questions, Templates & Tips (2024)
Corporate wellness surveys are game-changers.
They help you understand the needs of your team and boost overall wellness.
But how do you create one that works?
This guide covers the essentials so you can get started with key questions, templates, and tips right away.
Let’s make your wellness survey count.
How to Create an Effective Corporate Wellness Survey
Identify clear goals for your wellness survey.
Develop straightforward questions.
Test the survey before full deployment.
Step 1: Define Your Objectives
Identify the goals of your wellness program
Start by knowing what you want to achieve with your employee health and wellness survey. Are you looking to improve mental health resources? Or, maybe you need to understand physical activity levels among employees. Clear goals help shape relevant questions. Conducting assessments is a critical step in developing a workforce wellness program.
Understand what you hope to learn from the survey
What specific information are you seeking? For instance, you might want to measure employee stress levels or gauge satisfaction with current wellness programs. Knowing this helps in crafting questions that deliver actionable insights. An employee wellness program survey can help employers understand where employees are struggling and how they can support them.
Align survey questions with these goals
Every question should tie back to your objectives. If your goal is to improve mental well-being, include questions about stress management and mental health resources. This keeps the employee wellness survey focused and relevant.
Step 2: Select Relevant Topics
Focus on physical wellness, mental well-being, and work-life balance
Cover a broad spectrum of wellness areas. Physical wellness could include questions about exercise habits. Mental well-being might explore stress levels. Work-life balance can be about remote work challenges. Areas such as physical wellness, mental well-being, stress levels, and job satisfaction should be included in a health and wellness survey.
Include questions on stress levels, exercise habits, and nutritional choices
These topics are universal and actionable. Ask about the frequency of exercise, types of wellness activities, and dietary habits. For stress levels, include questions about workload and support systems. For instance, questions like “How often do you get the recommended 30 minutes of daily physical exercise?” can provide valuable insights.
Prioritize areas that are actionable for your organization
Focus on what you can change. If you can’t offer new fitness programs, don’t ask about them. Stick to questions where you can make a difference, like improving mental health resources or adjusting work hours. This ensures that the employee wellness survey remains relevant and actionable for your organization.
Step 3: Develop Clear and Concise Questions
Use simple language to ensure all employees understand the questions
Avoid jargon or complicated terms. Simple language ensures everyone understands the questions. This increases the accuracy of the responses. According to Workleap, a wellness questionnaire for employees should be simple, clear, and detailed to provide useful feedback.
Avoid leading or biased questions
Leading questions can skew results. For example, ask “How often do you feel stressed?” instead of “Do you feel stressed because of a high workload?” Neutral questions yield honest answers. This ensures that the survey results are reliable and unbiased.
Provide a mix of question types
Use multiple choice for quick answers. Likert scale questions (rated from 1-5) are good for measuring opinions. Open-ended questions allow for detailed feedback. Mixing question types keeps the survey engaging and comprehensive. For example, some suggest including both closed-ended and open-ended questions in your employee wellness surveys.
Step 4: Pilot Test Employee Wellness Surveys
Conduct a trial run with a small group
Before rolling out the survey to everyone, test it with a small group. This helps identify any confusing questions or technical issues.
Gather feedback on question clarity and survey length
Ask the pilot group for feedback. Were any questions unclear? Was the survey too long? Use this feedback to make necessary adjustments. This ensures that the final version of the wellness survey for employees is easy to complete and understand.
Make necessary adjustments before full distribution
Based on the feedback, tweak the questions and survey length. Ensure the final version is easy to complete and understand. This step is crucial to ensure that the survey is well-received and provides the insights you need.
Step 5: Choose the Right Platform
Select a survey tool that meets your needs
Choose a survey platform that is user-friendly and offers the features you need. Tools like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, or Typeform are popular choices. Make sure the platform can handle the number of responses you expect.
Ensure the platform supports anonymity
Anonymity can increase honesty in responses. Ensure the platform you choose can anonymize data to protect employee privacy. This is crucial to ensure that employees feel comfortable sharing their experiences candidly.
Test the platform for ease of use
Before full deployment, make sure the platform is easy to navigate. Test it yourself and get feedback from a few employees. This helps avoid technical issues during the actual survey.
Step 6: Communicate the Workplace Wellness Survey
Inform employees about the survey
Let employees know why the survey is important. Explain how their feedback will be used to improve wellness programs. This increases participation rates.
Set a clear deadline for completion
Give clear instructions on when the survey should be completed. A deadline creates a sense of urgency and ensures timely responses. This ensures that employees understand the importance of completing the survey on time.
Send reminders
Send reminders to employees who haven’t completed the survey. This can be done through email or internal messaging systems. This helps increase participation rates and ensures that all employees have the opportunity to provide their feedback.
Step 7: Analyze and Act on Results
Collect and review survey data
Once the survey questions about health and wellness close, collect the data and start reviewing it. Look for trends and common themes in the responses.
Share findings with stakeholders
Present the findings to key stakeholders in your organization. Use charts or graphs to make the data easy to understand. This ensures that stakeholders understand the importance of the survey results and can make informed decisions.
Develop an action plan based on survey results
Create a plan to address the issues highlighted in the survey questions for health and wellness. Prioritize actions that can be implemented quickly and will have the most impact. According to SHRM, developing an action plan is essential to ensure that the survey results are used effectively to improve employee wellness.
These steps will help you create an employee wellbeing survey that is both effective and actionable.
Employee Wellness Survey Best Practices for High Response Rates
Clear communication boosts trust.
Timing impacts participation.
Incentives drive engagement.
Communicate the Purpose
Explain Why the Survey is Being Conducted
Start by explaining the reason for employee wellness surveys. Employees need to know why their input is valuable. This can be done through an email or a short meeting. State the survey aims to improve workplace wellness. Use simple language. Avoid jargon. Make the purpose clear.
Highlight the Benefits for Employees and the Organization
Next, emphasize what employees and the company stand to gain. Improved health programs? Better work-life balance? More support for mental health? Spell it out. When employees see the benefits, they are more likely to participate. Keep the message positive and focused on mutual gains.
Ensure Anonymity to Encourage Honest Responses
Anonymity is crucial. Employees must feel safe to provide honest feedback. Use survey tools that guarantee anonymity. Mention this in your communication. State clearly that responses are confidential. This builds trust and encourages more participation.
Choose the Right Timing
Avoid Peak Work Periods or Holidays
Timing is key. Don’t send well-being survey questions during busy periods. Avoid end-of-quarter deadlines or major projects. Holidays are also a bad idea. Employees are either too busy or away. Choose a calm period. Usually, mid-week and mid-month work best.
Allow Sufficient Time for Completion
Give employees enough time to complete the employee wellness survey questions for employees. A week is often a good window. Rushing them will lead to low-quality answers. Remind them of the deadline, but don’t pressure them.
Send Reminders to Boost Participation
Send reminders. A gentle nudge can increase response rates. One reminder halfway through the survey period can be effective. A final reminder a day before the deadline ensures last-minute participation.
Incentivize Participation
Offer Small Rewards or Recognition for Completing the Survey
Incentives work. Offer small rewards. Gift cards, extra break time, or wellness gifts can motivate employees. Make sure the rewards are appealing but not extravagant. This keeps the focus on feedback, not just the prize.
Consider Non-Monetary Incentives Like Extra Break Time or Wellness-Related Gifts
Sometimes non-monetary rewards are more meaningful. Extra break time, flexible work hours, or health-related gifts can be very effective. Tailor the incentive to fit your company culture. It shows you value their time and input.
Ensure Incentives are Appropriate for Your Company Culture
Match the incentive to your company culture. If your company values wellness, offer a related reward. If recognition is important, a simple thank you note might suffice. Aligning the reward with company values makes the incentive more effective.
Key Questions for Your Staff Wellbeing Survey
Physical Health Questions
Exercise Frequency
How often do you engage in physical exercise?
Do you participate in any physical activities offered by the company?
Understanding how often employees exercise can highlight potential areas for wellness program improvements. Regular exercise is linked to lower stress and higher productivity. Companies can use this data to encourage more physical activities.
Access to Healthy Food
Do you feel you have access to healthy food options at work?
How often do you choose healthy food options available at work?
Access to healthy food at work can impact overall employee health. Companies can use this information to improve cafeteria offerings or provide healthier snacks. Research suggests that a healthy diet can significantly improve mental health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Overall Physical Health
How would you rate your overall physical health?
Have you experienced any work-related physical issues in the past year?
This question allows employees to self-assess their health. Companies can identify trends and address specific health issues that might be work-related.
Mental Health-related Questions
Stress Levels
How often do you feel stressed at work?
What are the main causes of your stress?
High stress levels can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Identifying stress sources helps companies address root causes and implement stress-reduction strategies. This will help you determine if your workplace needs mental health speakers or wellness experts like Jake Bernstein to help out.
Work-Life Balance
Do you feel you have a good work-life balance?
How often do you work outside of normal hours?
Work-life balance is crucial for employee satisfaction and retention. Companies can use this data to explore flexible work arrangements or other balance-improving initiatives.
Job Satisfaction
How would you rate your job satisfaction?
What aspects of your job do you find most satisfying or dissatisfying?
Job satisfaction directly impacts employee engagement and retention. Detailed responses can guide improvements in job roles or company culture.
Work Environment Questions
Manager and Colleague Support
Do you feel supported by your manager and colleagues?
How would you rate the communication within your team?
Supportive work environments foster better collaboration and morale. Understanding the dynamics can help in training managers and team-building activities.
Workplace Facilities
How would you rate the workplace facilities?
Are there any facilities you feel are missing or need improvement?
Good facilities contribute to a positive work environment. Feedback on this can lead to tangible improvements in the workplace.
Awareness of Wellness Resources
Are you aware of the wellness resources available to you?
How often do you use these resources?
Awareness and usage of wellness resources are critical for their success. Companies can identify gaps in communication or resource effectiveness.
Additional Relevant Questions
Career Development
Do you feel you have opportunities for career development?
How satisfied are you with the training and development programs offered?
Career growth opportunities can improve job satisfaction and retention. Feedback on development programs can guide future offerings.
Remote Work Experience
How would you rate your remote work experience?
What challenges do you face while working remotely?
Remote work has become more common and understanding employees’ experiences can help improve remote work policies and support.
Diversity and Inclusion
Do you feel the company promotes diversity and inclusion?
Have you experienced or witnessed any form of discrimination at work?
Diversity and inclusion are key to a positive work culture. Feedback can help identify issues and guide initiatives to promote inclusiveness.
Examples of Wellness Survey Templates
Simple Employee Wellness Survey Template
An employee wellness survey template is a great starting point to support your employee wellness program. It gathers basic information on employees’ physical and mental health. This template is ideal for organizations new to wellness surveys. The focus is on key health areas with room for open-ended feedback.
Sample Questions
How often do you engage in physical activity each week?
How would you rate your current stress levels?
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your overall health?
Do you have access to resources that support your mental well-being?
Any suggestions to improve our wellness programs?
Purpose
The goal is to get a quick snapshot of employee wellness. This helps identify immediate needs and areas for improvement, and what wellness challenges might help them.
Adaptability
You can tweak questions based on your organization’s unique needs. For instance, if you have a young workforce, focus more on mental health.
Comprehensive Wellness Survey Template
This template is for organizations with established wellness programs. It covers multiple aspects of wellness, including physical, mental, and environmental factors. It’s designed for in-depth analysis.
Sample Questions
How satisfied are you with the company’s wellness initiatives?
How often do you participate in company-organized wellness activities?
What aspects of our wellness program do you find most beneficial?
How would you describe your work-life balance?
Do you feel the workplace environment supports your health goals?
Purpose
The goal is to gather detailed data. This helps in making informed decisions to enhance the wellness program.
Adaptability
Adjust questions based on feedback from previous surveys. If employees highlight stress, add more questions about mental health resources.
Customizable Template
This template is flexible. It allows you to tailor questions to meet specific needs. It’s useful for organizations with unique wellness initiatives or those wanting to adapt based on previous results.
Sample Questions
How effective do you find our [specific wellness initiative]?
What improvements would you suggest for our wellness program?
How often do you use our wellness resources, such as gym facilities or counseling services?
How would you rate the effectiveness of our mental health support?
Any feedback on how we can better support your wellness goals?
Purpose
The goal is to provide flexibility in gathering relevant data. This helps tailor the wellness program to better meet employee needs.
Adaptability
You can modify the template based on the unique circumstances of your organization. For example, if you’re launching a new initiative, include specific questions about it.
Comprehensive Wellness Survey Template Example
Here’s a detailed and adaptable template for you to use. This template is comprehensive yet easy to customize based on your organization’s needs.
Effective Employee Wellness Survey Strategies
Get leadership buy-in.
Use tech for surveys.
Act on survey results.
Involve Leadership
Gain Support from Top Management
First, get the backing of top management. Leadership buy-in is crucial. It shows that wellness is a priority. Meet with key leaders. Explain the benefits of employee wellness surveys. Use data to support your case.
Communicate Leadership Commitment to Wellness
Next, let your employees know that leadership is committed. Send out a company-wide email. Highlight the importance of wellness. Mention that leaders are on board. This boosts survey participation. Employees are more likely to engage when they see that it matters to their bosses.
Share Results and Action Plans with All Levels of the Organization
Once you have the results, share them. Transparency builds trust. Create a detailed report. Present it to different departments. Show what you plan to do based on the feedback. This makes employees feel heard. They see that their input leads to action.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Utilize Survey Platforms for Easier Distribution and Analysis
Choose a good survey platform for your employee wellness surveys. Tools like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, or ContactMonkey work well. They make distribution simple. They also offer analytics. This helps in quickly understanding the data.
Ensure Mobile Compatibility for Higher Response Rates
Make sure your survey is mobile-friendly. Many employees prefer using their phones. A mobile-compatible survey increases response rates. Test your survey on different devices. Make adjustments as needed. This small step can make a big difference.
Analyze Data Using Built-in Analytics Tools
Use the analytics tools provided by your survey platform. These tools can identify trends and outliers. They can also segment data by department or location. This helps in creating targeted wellness programs. Spend time learning how to use these tools effectively.
Follow-Up on Survey Results
Share Key Findings with Employees
Share the main points from the survey with your employees. This shows that you value their input. Use simple language and visuals. An infographic can be very effective. Make it easy to understand the key findings.
Develop Action Plans Based on Survey Feedback
Create action plans based on what you learn. If stress is a major issue, consider stress management programs. If employees want more flexible hours, explore that option. Be specific in your plans. Outline the steps you will take and the timeline.
Continuously Monitor and Adjust Wellness Initiatives
Wellness surveys are not a one-time thing. Regularly check on the effectiveness of your programs. Use follow-up surveys to gather more data. Adjust your initiatives based on ongoing feedback. This keeps your wellness program relevant and effective.
Ensure Anonymity and Confidentiality
Protect Employee Privacy
Assure employees that their responses are confidential. This encourages honest feedback. Use anonymous surveys. Avoid asking for identifying information. Make it clear how the data will be used and who will have access to it.
Communicate Privacy Measures
Let employees know what steps you are taking to protect their privacy. Include this information in your survey introduction. Transparency here builds trust and encourages participation.
Promote the Survey Effectively
Use Multiple Channels
Promote your survey through various channels. Use email, company intranet, and even posters in communal areas. The more visible the survey, the higher the participation rate.
Set Clear Deadlines
Give a clear deadline for survey completion. Send reminders as the deadline approaches. Use different methods like emails or team meetings to remind employees. This ensures higher completion rates.
Remember, well-executed employee wellness surveys can provide valuable insights that lead to meaningful changes in your workplace. Following these steps will help you get the most out of your survey efforts.
Ready to Boost Workplace Wellness?
Creating an effective corporate wellness survey involves clear goals, relevant topics, and concise questions. Test your survey, communicate its purpose, and choose the right timing. Use incentives and technology and share the results.
Surveys help you understand employee needs, improve engagement, and foster a better workplace culture. Dive into your survey creation and make a difference today.