Empowering Impact: Employee Surveys in the Charity Sector
We are lucky enough to work across many industry sectors and we particularly enjoy partnering with charitable organisations. According to the Charity Times “A survey of more than 2,500 people has found that those working for charities are among the happiest employees when compared with other sectors.” So why would they, or should they, even consider employee surveys? Well, this survey also revealed that “charity workers are more likely to feel undervalued and be concerned around their career prospects.” Not only that but for the past few years, according to CAF, charities have been struggling to recruit staff and are unable to meet demand as workloads increase. Additionally, escalating costs have been exacerbating the staffing crisis.
The significance of employee surveys during these times – in terms of being able to foster a positive work environment and driving organisational progress cannot be ignored. In this blog, we delve into the role of employee surveys in the charity sector, exploring their benefits, best practices, and real-life examples of their impact.
Understanding the Importance of Employee Surveys in the Charity Sector
Employee surveys are a crucial tool for understanding the sentiments, experiences, and needs of the workforce within charitable organisations. We often find that in the context of the charity sector, where employees are driven by a passion for the cause rather than financial incentives, it is especially vital to gauge engagement, satisfaction, and overall wellbeing.
When the primary drive for going to work is to make a difference, it’s disheartening to face obstacles that hinder your ability to do so. It becomes even more important to understand the challenges that people are facing and for them to feel that their voices are heard and valued. This, in turn, can enhance performance and dedication to the cause, ultimately leading to greater impact and effectiveness.
Benefits of Conducting Employee Surveys in Charitable Organisations
At times, individuals who dedicate themselves to working for charities demonstrate exceptional resilience and tolerance compared to those in the private sector. They frequently encounter challenges, such as a lack of proper equipment necessary to carry out their tasks effectively. However, they understand that the primary focus of the charity is to help those in need. But… There may come a moment when their patience is put to the test. During this critical juncture, they might find themselves contemplating whether the sacrifices they make are truly worth it.
Conducting employee surveys demonstrates a commitment to wellbeing by seeking feedback and creating a supportive and empowering work environment by proactively addressing these concerns. They can also serve as a proactive measure to identify and address any potential issues within the organisation before they escalate.
Another significant benefit of employee surveys in the charity sector is their potential to uncover innovative ideas and solutions from the employees themselves. Given the passion and commitment that individuals in the charity sector bring to their roles, their insights and suggestions can be invaluable in driving positive change and innovation within the organisation.
Overcoming Challenges in Implementing Employee Surveys in the Charity Sector
While employee surveys offer valuable benefits, their implementation in the charity sector is not without challenges. One common obstacle is the diverse nature of roles within the charity sector, ranging from frontline staff to remote volunteers, this can pose logistical challenges in ensuring that all employees have equal opportunities to participate in the surveys. Implementing inclusive strategies, such as offering multiple survey formats and flexible timing, can help overcome these barriers and ensure that the voices of all employees are heard.
Furthermore, the resource constraints often faced by charitable organisations may limit their capacity to administer and analyse employee surveys effectively. This is where companies like The Survey Initiative can help, we act as an extension to the HR function; we get to know you and the charity and provide a fully managed service. Our experience over the years means we are experts at making sure we get the best out of any surveys this includes advising on: reach, timings, formats, questions, communication, observations and actions/suggestions.
Charity Employee Survey Case Study
We were really pleased to recently help the Railway Children charity undertake their first ever employee engagement survey to enhance their understanding of their employees’ overall experience within the organisation. They had an impressive 100% response rate and the results have enabled them to obtain a baseline and drive positive change where necessary. Read the full case study here.
Conclusion
In a sector where, research has shown, a lot of employees feel undervalued, and where people are driven by meaningful work rather than financial incentives, the benefits of employee engagement surveys cannot be overstated. They can help organisations gain a real understanding of how people are feeling and enable them to implement changes that will make a tangible difference to the daily working lives of their employees. The results can help identify areas where they do well, areas of concern and sometimes areas that may become a concern if left. They may even identify solutions to problems!
The utilisation of employee surveys in the charity sector holds immense potential for empowering organisations to create and/or maintain a positive work environment and drive organisational improvement. Our team of experts at The Survey Initiative is here to help you. Contact us now to start your survey journey.
https://www.probonoeconomics.com/breaching-the-dam-the-state-of-the-charity-sector
https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/charity-workers-among-happiest-uk-survey/management/article/1817396