Survey of satisfaction with benefits – what questions to ask? Model employee survey

This is the third part of the cycle about research on employee benefits. If you are interested in this topic, we encourage you to read the previous articles:
Is it worth checking what employees think about the benefits they receive?   CLICK >>
How to conduct a survey on satisfaction from the benefits program?   CLICK >>

In the following text, we included some hints on composing a staff survey and sample questions about the benefits program.

What should the employee survey be?

Before finding questions for the survey, it is worth asking yourself a very important question what do we want to learn from employees ? The opportunity to conduct the study often tempts you to ask them about everything, but it is not worth doing! First of all, the employee questionnaire will come out very long, making it difficult for the respondents and probably incomprehensible. Secondly, it will be difficult to analyze its results. It is much more effective to conduct short research, closely related to a specific issue. The precise definition of the purpose of the survey will help us to compose it.

The questions we ask in our survey must be understandable to the recipients, formulated as simple as possible. On the other hand, among the available answers, there should always be all possible variants. If we ask for a valuation or opinion ( I like it   //   I do not like it ), let’s also prepare an answer titled”I have no opinion”. Asking the question “where do you usually go on vacation”, among the answers “to the mountains”, “to the lake” and “to the sea” leave also “other …” with the possibility of giving your own answer and “I don’t leave” as an option for those who actually spend their holidays at home. In the survey, it is also worth leaving space for a short statement of the employees themselves, in which, for example, he / she sums up his / her impressions from using the benefits. They can suggest benefits or solutions that did not occur to us.In this way, it can also, without consequences, express its negative opinion – it is an invaluable source of knowledge about the perception of the benefits program and the employer.

Sample questions – the model employee survey

We have prepared sets of examples of questions that are worth asking the employees in the benefits questionnaire. The questions were collected in sets concerning a specific subject –  record, current offer, communication, financing, etc.

Record

Our assessment of the situation depends to a large extent on our experience and current life situation. Therefore, for proper interpretation of the results of the study, it is important to include in it a record that matches the analyzed issue. If we ask employees about their favorite ways of spending free time, it is worth asking in the same study, for example about their status – whether they have a family, children or for their place of residence – we choose other entertainment with easy access to the theater, and others while living outside the city. It is worth to know as much as possible about the participants of the survey, but many employees are afraid to answer questions from the employer if they are to sign their names and surnames..A properly arranged record will provide us with sufficient information to interpret the results.

1. Age, e.g. by intervals that will actually be a hint for us: 18-25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, 55+.
2. Level in the organizational structure – specialist, manager, senior management – this information will allow us to verify, for example, whether knowledge about benefits is equally effective at every level in the company’s hierarchy;
3. Work experience in a given company – less than 3 months, less than a year, less than 2 years, less than 5 years, over 5 years – is valuable information in the context of the role of benefits in recruitment and building attachment to the company;
4. If the value or content of the benefits package depend on the salary or income per family member, it is also worth asking about it at the beginning of the questionnaire, providing ranges according to the company’s Social Fund Regulations, e.g. up to PLN 2,500, PLN 2,501 – 3,000, over PLN 3,351.
5. Place of residence – if we are not sure where our employees live, and this is important for the realization of benefits, it is worth asking about it in the survey and including this answer during the analysis of results as one of the key criteria for the assessment of the benefits offer.

You can, of course, also ask employees about gender or education or the type of work: stationary – remote – on the move, office – physical, but only if it actually affects the results of the entire studyAsking these questions without any purpose will unnecessarily extend the list of questions for employees, and we will complicate the analysis of the received data.

Current offer of benefits

In this part of the study, we focus on the assessment of non-payroll services, which is now available to employeesIt is important to mention only those that are actually offered by the employer among the benefits. I suggest that you do not include “material” benefits in one question, such as those that can be objectively valued, and others – such as flexible working time, additional vacation or the possibility of remote work.

1. 1. As part of the available benefit offer, I usually use (choose up to three answers):
      1. medical care – for me
      2. medical care – for an accompanying person (partner / child, etc.)
      3. life insurance – for me
      4. life insurance – for an accompanying person (partner / child, etc.)
      5. pension fund
      6. sports card – for me
      7. sports card – for an accompanying person (partner / child, etc.)
      8. tickets to the cinema, theater, concerts
      9. entry to the swimming pool, trampolines, playroom, theme parks
      10. massage in the workplace or vouchers for the massage salon / DaySPA
      11. co-financing of holiday
      12. co-financing of meals
      13. courses and training
      14. Go-outs and integration trips
      15. law advices
      16. financial consulting
      17. prepaid card
      18. gift cards / shopping vouchers
      19. Christmas packages / packages for children
      20. coffee, tea, fruit Mondays, sweet Tuesdays
      21. What? ____________________
      22. None of the above.
   2. The current offer of non-payroll benefits (choice of benefits) makes:
      1. Very happy
      2. Happy
      3. Dissatisfied
      4. Very unhappy
      5. I have no opinion
   3. I believe that the offer of benefits in our company:
      1. It is attractive compared to the offer of benefits in companies from the same industry.
      2. It is comparable to the offer of benefits in companies in the same industry.
      3. It is unattractive compared to the offer of benefits in companies in the same industry.
      4. I have no opinion.

Ordering, communication and information on benefits

Communication is a very important element of the benefit policy – even the best-composed package of non- payroll benefits does not make sense if employees do not know it or do not know how to get their benefits. A short study on communication is worth conducting, for example, before a promotion campaign  benefits and after finishing to measure its effectiveness.

1. 1. How would you rate the level of your knowledge about the offer of benefits in the company?
      1. Very high
      2. High
      3. Low
      4. Very low
      5. I have no opinion
   2. How would you rate the level of information availability (including documents – form, applications, etc.) about benefits in the company?
      1. Very high
      2. High
      3. Low
      4. Very low
      5. I have no opinion
   3. Do you know the value of all the benefits you receive?
      1. Yes, the employer regularly provides a calculation / report indicating the cost of all my benefits.
      2. Yes, I can approximate the value of my benefits.
      3. I know the value of some of my benefits, and some – not.
      4. I do not know the value of my benefits, but I would like to know it.
      5. I do not know the value of my benefits and I am not interested in such information.
   4. Which channels of communication about benefits are the most convenient for you [multiple choice]:
      1. Posters, stands, advertisement boards in the company’s headquarters – canteen, secretariat, corridor, etc.
      2. Leaflets, brochures with delivery to the desk or addressed by name
      3. Messages sent to the business email address
      4. Messages sent to the private e-mail address
      5. Corporate intranet
      6. Text messages
      7. Internal meetings
      8. Meetings with the benefit provider
      9. Other – what? ___________
      10. No, I’m not interested in a benefit program.
   5. I want to choose or change my benefits (the question concerns the way):
      1. In the HR department
      2. At the supervisor
      3. Online – by email
      4. Online – via the website or application
      5. Otherwise – how? ______________
      6. I’m not interested in the benefits program.
   6. I want to choose or change my benefits (the question concerns the frequency):
      1. Once a year
      2. Once every six months
      3. Once per quarter
      4. Once a month
      5. Anytime
      6. Otherwise – how? ______________
      7. I’m not interested in the benefits program.
   7. The most important non-payroll benefits – financed in whole or in part by the employer – are for me [multiple choice]:
      1. medical care – for me
      2. medical care – for an accompanying person (partner / child, etc.)
      3. life insurance – for me
      4. life insurance – for an accompanying person (partner / child, etc.)
      5. pension fund
      6. sports card – for me
      7. sports card – for an accompanying person (partner / child, etc.)
      8. tickets to the cinema, theater, concerts
      9. tickets for the swimming pool, trampoline, playground halls, amusement parks
      10. massage in the workplace or vouchers for the massage salon / DaySPA
      11. co-financing of holiday
      12. co-financing of meals
      13. courses and training
      14. Go-outs and integration trips
      15. law advices
      16. financial consulting
      17. prepaid card
      18. gift cards / shopping vouchers
      19. Christmas packages / packages for children
      20. coffee, tea, fruit Mondays, sweet Tuesdays
      21. Other. What? __________
      22. None of the above.
   8. Benefits I want to order / use [multiple choice]:
      1. For myself
      2. For partner
      3. For children
      4. For parents
      5. For friends

Using the Internet

Many companies give up the introduction of the benefit cafeteria in the company due to the fear that employees will not be able to handle their benefits via a platform or application. Instead of assuming their awkwardness, you can ask employees whether and how they use the Internet, e-payments or shopping in online stores.

1. I use the Internet for private purposes (the question concerns frequency):
   1. I don’t
   2. Occasionally – up to 5 times a year
   3.  At least 1-2 a month
   4. At least 1-2 times a week
   5. Every day
2. I usually use the Internet for private purposes (the question concerns the way):
   1. I don’t
   2. On my family’s or friends’ computer / tablet
   3. On a computer / tablet at home
   4. On a computer / tablet at work
   5. On a tablet / smartphone, everywhere
   6. Otherwise – how? __________
3. I do shopping, orders or reservations online [choose one answer]:
   1. I don’t
   2. Rarely – up to 5 times a year
   3. At least once a month
   4. Once a week or more often
   5. Every day
4. At least once a year via the Internet [multiple choice]:
   1. I do not use the Internet
   2. I browse information portals, check weather, read articles
   3. I use social networks
   4. I watch movies, TV series, I listen to music
   5. I play games
   6. I order grocery shopping
   7. I buy chemistry, cosmetics, perfumes
   8. I buy clothes, shoes
   9. I buy books, CDs, games
   10. I buy accessories for children, toys
   11. I buy electronics, small home appliances
   12. I buy gadgets, accessories and sports clothing
   13. I pay bills
   14. I book accommodation, buy tickets and organize holiday trips
   15. Other – what? _______
5. At least once a week via the Internet [multiple choice]:
   1. I do not use the Internet
   2. I browse information portals, check weather, read articles
   3. I use social networks
   4. I watch movies, TV series, I listen to music
   5. I play games
   6. I order grocery shopping
   7. I buy chemistry, cosmetics, perfumes
   8. I buy clothes, shoes
   9. I buy books, CDs, games
   10. I buy accessories for children, toys
   11. I buy electronics, small home appliances
   12. I buy gadgets, accessories and sports clothing
   13. I pay bills
   14. I book accommodation, buy tickets and organize holiday trips
   15. Other – what? _______ _____

Preferences regarding activity, spending free time and holiday trips

To be effective, benefits should affect memories and impressionsThat is why it is worth knowing what our employees like to do in their free time and with whom they spend it, as well as where they are going on holiday and what they are doing during the holidays. Benefits consistent with employees’ preferences will certainly be appreciated by them.

1. In my free time after work, preferably [multiple choice]:
   1.  I do sports (e.g. gym, swimming pool, yoga, dance)
   2.  I spend my time actively (e.g. amusement park, science park)
      3. I spend time at home (e.g. TV, books, DIY)
      4. I go for a concert, a cabaret, to the theater or cinema
      5. I spend time in restaurants, clubs, beach bars
      6. I learn foreign languages or go to courses related to my hobby – dance, photography, pottery
      7. I pursue my passions – I dance, take photos, etc.
      8. other – what? ________________
2. I spend my free time after work preferably [multiple choice]:
   1. on my own
   2. with my partner
   3. with family, children
   4. among friends
   5. in the company of newly met people
   6. otherwise – how? ________________
3. For entertainment, sport and hobby – for myself, I spent monthly:
   1. Below PLN 20
   2. Up to PLN 100
   3. PLN 100 – 200
   4. PLN 200 – 500
   5. Above PLN 500
4. For entertainment, sport and hobby – for my family, I spent monthly:
   1. Below PLN 20
   2. Up to PLN 100
   3. PLN 100 – 200
   4. PLN 200 – 500
   5. Above PLN 500
5. Holidays, i.e. the main vacation of the year, I prefer to spend the most [multiple choice]:
   1. I do not go on vacation or I do not want to give an answer
   2. on my own
   3. With my partner
   4. With the closest family
   5. With friends
   6. Otherwise – how? __________
6. Holidays, i.e. the main vacation of the year, I prefer to spend the most [multiple choice]:
   1. I do not go on vacation or I do not want to give an answer
   2. At home / home town
   3. In Poland – by the sea, in the mountains, by the lake
   4. Abroad
7. Holidays, i.e. the main vacation of the year, I prefer to spend the most [multiple choice]:
   1. I do not spend or do not want to give an answer
   2. Stationary – beach, book, movies
   3. Actively – I do sports (diving, cycling, etc.)
   4. Actively – I go sightseeing
   5. Otherwise – how? __________
8. Holidays, i.e. the main vacation of the year, I usually plan:
   1. I do not plan or do not want to give an answer
   2. At least a year in advance
   3. At least half a year in advance
   4. At least 3 months in advance
   5. At least 1 month in advance
   6. Less than 1 month before departure
9. holidays, i.e. the main vacation of the year, I usually spend (cost per person):
   1. I do not go on vacation or I do not want to give an answer
   2. Up to PLN 1000
   3. PLN 1000 – 2,500
   4. PLN 2,500 – 5,000
   5. PLN 5000 – 7500
   6. Over PLN 7500
10. Holidays, i.e. the main vacation of the year, I usually finance [multiple choice]:
    1. I do not finance or do not want to provide an answer
    2. From my current home budget
    3. Earnings from extra work
    4. from savings
    5. From loans or credits
    6. From co-financing from the employer
    7. Otherwise – how? _________
11. I usually use holidays longer than 5 working days:
    1. I do not use or do not want to give an answer
    2. Less often than once a year
    3. Once a year
    4. Twice a year
    5. Three times in year
    6. Four times a year or more often

DOWNLOAD : Model employee survey – blog about benefits – MyBenefit
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The results of the survey are also worth sharing with employees. And if their responses had an impact on decisions and actions regarding the benefits program, it must be emphasized – people like to have an impact on everything that concerns them. If they feel they are being heard by their employer, they will be more willing to get involved.