An employee survey is one of the most powerful tools for understanding how employees perceive their workplace. It provides insights that can lead to higher job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, and improved performance. However, surveys often stop at questions about engagement, leadership, and tasks – while important aspects such as the work environment and occupational health are overlooked.
To create a complete picture of employees’ experiences, it is crucial to include questions that address both the psychosocial and physical work environment. This not only strengthens workplace health initiatives but also shows that the organization takes long-term health and wellbeing seriously.
Why questions about the work environment are crucial
The work environment is closely linked to both motivation and performance. According to the Swedish Work Environment Authority, shortcomings in the organizational and social work environment are a growing cause of sick leave. By identifying problem areas early, employers can take preventive measures. A well-designed employee survey thus becomes an important part of systematic work environment management.
Example questions to include
Here are some examples of questions that can provide valuable insights:
Psychosocial work environment
- Do you feel your workload is reasonable?
- Do you have the ability to influence how you carry out your work?
- Do you feel supported by your manager and colleagues?
Physical work environment
- Is your workplace ergonomically designed?
- Do you have access to the resources and tools you need?
- Is there anything in the physical environment that negatively affects your health?
Occupational health and support
- Are you aware of the health-related initiatives available, such as wellness allowances or occupational health services?
- Would you appreciate more initiatives to promote health and wellbeing?
- Do you feel the organization takes your health and safety seriously?
How to maximize the impact of the survey
- Be transparent: Clearly communicate the purpose of the survey and explain how the results will be used.
- Take shared responsibility: Both employees and managers need to be involved in interpreting the results and agreeing on which actions should be prioritized.
- Follow up: Share the results openly and show how they are translated into concrete improvements.
- Integrate into strategy: Make the survey part of the organization’s long-term work environment and health strategy.
Why the right questions make the difference
An employee survey that includes questions about the work environment and occupational health becomes more than just a temperature check – it becomes a tool for building a sustainable workplace. By combining questions about engagement with those about health and wellbeing, the organization can create a work environment where employees both thrive and perform.
Read more about our engagement survey tool
Author
Erika Ekstam
Head of People & Culture
