In this article you will find out…
- Reasons why the response rate may vary
– Tips for a higher response rate
Response rate is an area that engages. In an organization/company where most people have access to a computer during working hours, the response frequency is usually above 80% and in organizations/companies where the employees work in the field or outside the office, it is usually a bit above 60%. Then of course there are several reasons.
We have listed some reasons why response rates vary:
A high response rate can be due to:
- Committed management.
- Anchoring work before the start of the survey.
- The employees have a positive experience from previous employee surveys. The most important thing is that something happens in the organization after a measurement.
- The employees have a concrete case. They want something to change in the organization.
- A well-designed survey with questions that are close to the employees' everyday life.
- Support from union representatives.
A low response rate may be due to:
- Employees have responded to employee surveys for a number of years but "nothing" happens afterwards.
- The survey questions are not adapted to the company/organization.
- Management shows no interest, which signals that the investigation is unimportant.
- The organization consists of individuals with little social interaction with others in the company (e.g. salespeople in the field) or of employees with little or no access to a computer during working hours.
- There is a fear that "wrong" answers will lead to negative consequences. Low ceiling on the company/organization.
- There is a fear that anonymity will not be respected.
- The purpose of the survey is to do it every year, not to use the results for change work. The employees usually see through this.
- The organization is "sluggish". It has consisted of the same employees who have performed the same tasks for a number of years.
It is important to elicit commitment to the employee survey and the genuine desire to influence one's workplace. Do you want more tips on what you can do to increase the response rate for your employee survey? Contact us and we will tell you more.