New Study Finds Employee Survey Participation Rates Are Higher in the Summer

Aug. 25, 2011 - PRLog -- Chicago, IL – August 25, 2011 – HR Solutions, Inc. released the results today of a new study examining Employee Survey participation rates, focusing on three variables: survey methodology, company size and month of survey administration.  In terms of survey participation rates by month, the study found June (79 percent) and July (81 percent) to have the highest participation rates whereas the lowest participation rates occur in February (71 percent) and September (72 percent).

The study also found smaller organizations (i.e., 300 employees or less) achieve higher participation rates than medium (i.e., 301 – 1,000 employees) and larger ones (i.e., 1,001 employees or more).  The average participation rate for small organizations is 81 percent while the average for large organizations is 71 percent.

Internet-based Employee Surveys have the highest participation rate at 77 percent while paper-and-pencil surveys have the lowest rate at 72 percent.  From 2008 to 2011, more organizations have shifted from paper-and-pencil Employee Surveys to online surveys due to their ease of use and cost-effectiveness.

“A high survey participation rate is essential for organizations to bring about lasting change for their employees,” said David W. Miller, Senior Consultant for HR Solutions.  “Participation rates indicate how employees view the importance of the survey and the organization’s commitment to create positive change based on the survey results.  Senior leadership must be devoted to implementing change, holding managers accountable for action planning, and communicating the outcomes that resulted from the survey with employees.  Such efforts directly relate to increased survey participation and improved Employee Engagement.”

The study analyzed survey participation rates from more than 300 organizations across a variety of industries between 2007 and 2011.

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About HR Solutions, Inc.
HR Solutions is a Chicago-based International Human Capital Management Consulting Firm specializing in Employee Engagement and Exit Survey design, implementation, analysis and results. For more information, please visit http://www.hrsolutionsinc.com.

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