How to run an employee motivation survey (with free template)

Patrick Morrison -

Employee motivation isn’t just a buzzword or a corporate catchphrase devoid of meaning - it can be the key to unlocking your company’s success.

Motivation is what makes the difference between an employee who gives all their talent and energy to your organisation’s success, and one who just clocks in, takes their paycheck, and goes home. Employee motivation surveys are how you figure out which one they are, and how to sway them to be the former.

Well-crafted employee motivation survey questions can reveal deep insights into your team’s morale, and help you gauge how well they are aligned with the success of your business. They can uncover potential areas for improvement, and help you build a workplace that encourages innovation and collaboration.

We'll do a deep dive into what an employee motivation survey is, and why they're important, offer guidance on how to design and run them, and give some example questions you can use as the basis of your own.

What is an employee motivation survey?

Understanding why employees wake up, get out of bed and come to the office every morning is one of the key roles of HR management.

Knowledge and understanding of this are what employee motivation surveys are for. Employee motivation survey questions can be open-ended for more subjective insights that can't be expressed in numbers, or close-ended for quantifiable data. Questions might include how fulfilled an employee feels in their role, whether they agree with the direction the company is headed in, or how closely those values align with those of your company.

It’s important to remember that employee motivation surveys are not a one-size-fits-all tool. The trick is in your ability as an HR professional to tailor them to your business’ unique needs and culture.

Regularly scheduling and deploying these surveys will help you keep your ear to the ground and understand how your team is feeling about how the ship is running. That way, you can respond to fluctuations in motivation and morale proactively and foster a positive work culture.

Check out our blog to find out more on how to conduct employee engagement surveys instead.

The importance of measuring employee motivation

A high level of employee motivation provides fairly obvious benefits and directly contributes to several factors in the success of your organisation.

A leading indicator of productivity

A motivated employee is an engaged one. When someone finds genuine fulfilment in their work and believes that what they're doing is building a future for both them and your company, it stands to reason that their productivity soars. They become committed to their day-to-day tasks and go above and beyond expectations for the sake of the team.

Enhanced job satisfaction

Employee motivation and job satisfaction are correlated with each other. When you understand what motivates your employees and makes them strive to do better, such as opportunities for growth or the quality of their work environment, you can improve employee satisfaction. That creates a positive feedback loop that benefits all parties involved.

Reduced employee turnover

Employee turnover is not just disruptive, but it’s highly financially draining.

When employees are motivated and engaged with their jobs, they're less likely to start looking for other positions elsewhere. The reduced disruption and recruitment costs from lower turnover rates directly benefit your bottom line.

Crafting and launching your motivation survey

Running an effective and efficient employee motivation survey requires thoughtful planning and execution, and follow-through. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that your employee motivation survey gives you actionable and useful data.

1. Decide on the purpose

You should clearly state the intention of your survey and have a clear idea of what you’re trying to learn. That will guide how you collect, analyse and interpret the results.

2. Create the survey format

The format of your employee motivation survey should include a mix of open-ended and close-ended questions, as well as rating scale questions. These types of survey questions should align with the purpose of your survey.

3. Launch the survey

The next step is to distribute the survey amongst your team and ensure that all your employees receive it. Communicate what the survey is for, and why it’s helpful. Decide on a recurring schedule, whether monthly, quarterly, or biannually, depending on your needs.Using an automated HR survey tool like CharlieHR can help you automate the process of sending out the survey regularly, and also have expert-backed templates so you can quickly design and deploy the survey.

4. Post-survey actions

After the survey results have been collected, share the results with your team in a way that’s clear and transparent.

The most important step is implementation and developing strategies based on the feedback received. The efficacy of a survey is measured not just by the quality of the data and how you interpret employee engagement survey results, but by the actions you take based on those insights.

A well-executed survey process, combined with a reliable HR employee motivation survey tool like CharlieHR, can enable you to collect vital data on employee motivation and use it to make informed, effective decisions. This helps foster a more engaged, motivated, and productive workplace for everyone.

Employee motivation survey questions

Choosing the right employee engagement questions is the linchpin of an effective employee motivation survey. Asking the correct questions will provide you with insightful data about what drives your employees and how you can help them maintain their motivation. Here are some sample questions, taken directly from CharlieHR’s motivation survey, that are expertly crafted to understand various aspects of your employees' motivation:

1. I am encouraged to be innovative even though some of my initiatives may not succeed.

This question seeks to understand if employees feel their creativity and innovative ideas are welcomed, fostering a culture of innovation.

2. We acknowledge people who deliver outstanding work at [your company]

This question aims to gauge if employees feel their hard work and contributions are recognised and appreciated.

3. The products and services [company] provides are as good as, or better than, our main competitors

This question helps to understand if employees believe in the quality of the products or services the company offers, which can significantly influence their motivation.

4. [Company] is in a position to really succeed over the next three years

This question assesses employees' confidence in the company’s future, affecting their motivation and commitment to the company.

5. [Company]'s values are aligned with values I consider important in life

This question aims to understand if there is a strong alignment between the company's values and the employee's personal values, leading to a stronger sense of commitment and satisfaction.

6. [Company] really allows us to make a positive difference

This question seeks to find out if employees feel that their work has a meaningful impact, a significant motivational factor for many people.

7. I can see that my work serves a purpose

Similar to the previous question, this assesses whether employees feel their work is purposeful and valuable.

8. The work I do is meaningful to me

This probes the personal connection employees have with their work, providing insights into intrinsic motivation.

9. I understand how my work supports the goals of my team and the wider company

This question checks if employees feel connected to the broader objectives of the team and company.

10. I’m inspired by the purpose and mission of our company

This question aims to understand how connected employees feel to the company’s mission.

11. Most days I feel a sense of accomplishment from what I do.

This question seeks to gauge daily job satisfaction and the level of fulfilment employees get from their work.

12. I have the opportunity to do challenging things at work

This question aims to determine if employees feel challenged and stimulated by their work, key factors in maintaining motivation.

Remember, these questions are just a starting point. CharlieHR offers expert-backed templates to assist you in crafting the perfect employee motivation survey. Ready to start your survey? Download CharlieHR’s template now.

Interested in more employee survey templates? Have a look at our:

Ignite your employee motivation with insight

Your business’ greatest asset and its lifeblood is its people. Employee motivation surveys are the key to unlocking their inner potential - both for themselves and for your organisation.

CharlieHR’s engagement survey feature makes this process simple, efficient, and effective. With our expert-backed templates and intuitive analytics, you’ll be equipped to fully understand and enhance your team’s motivation. Don’t wait to harness the power of motivation in your workplace.

Start unlocking your team’s full potential today - begin your free trial with CharlieHR now!

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