Employee satisfaction not only affects the mood in the office but also significantly determines whether employees stay or look for new opportunities. According to a study by Gallup, dissatisfied employees are twice as likely to quit as their satisfied colleagues. This makes it clear: An employee satisfaction survey is not a tedious obligation—it is one of the most valuable investments in the future of your company. As a provider of a tool for employee referrals and talent management, we at Sprad witness daily how successful employee surveys actively contribute to company development. However, many HR managers wonder what needs to be considered to ensure these surveys truly deliver results.

In this article, you'll discover the five most important key questions that can transform your employee satisfaction survey from a tedious task into a genuine asset for your company. We will show you what it takes to gain concrete insights, implement real improvements, and sustainably increase employee retention.

1. Questions About Company Culture: How Do Employees Rate the Atmosphere in the Company?

The first crucial component of your satisfaction survey is to find out how employees perceive the work environment and culture in your company. From our own experience at Sprad, we know: When employees can identify with the values and norms, motivation increases, and cohesion is strengthened.

Examples of Specific Questions:

Why These Questions Are Crucial:

These questions reveal whether an employee feels like an integral part of the company or, for example, as a replaceable cog. Authentic experiences convey whether your company culture is truly perceived as your mission statement promises.

2. Questions About Leadership Skills: How Satisfied Are Employees with Their Leaders?

In our daily work in recruiting and talent management, we find: Employees quit more often due to poor leadership than because of their salary. Good leaders, on the other hand, act as magnets for talent and keep experienced employees in the company longer.

Examples of Specific Questions:

Main Benefit of These Questions:

These questions offer valuable insight into potential areas of tension between employees and leaders and allow for early countermeasures to improve leadership behavior.

3. Questions About Professional Development: Are Employees Sufficiently Supported?

From numerous conversations with HR managers, we know: Employees also leave a company if they lack advancement opportunities or training offers. When employees see prospects, they remain more motivated and stay longer on board.

Examples of Specific Questions:

Why This Is Important:

The answers reveal whether employees receive enough career support and whether measures such as talent programs should be introduced. Satisfaction with career prospects strongly correlates with employee loyalty.

4. Questions About Work-Life Balance: Are the Working Conditions in the Company Right?

Flexible working hours and remote work have become decisive factors when choosing an employer. Especially young talents explicitly ask about work-life balance during job interviews. Companies that offer clear advantages here win in the competition for skilled workers.

Examples of Specific Questions:

The Advantage for Your HR Work:

You can identify bottlenecks and overloads early and thus prevent key performers from leaving the company due to inappropriate stress.

5. The Crucial Question About the Net Promoter Score (NPS): Would Employees Recommend the Company as an Employer?

The most important key question from our practical experience: "How likely is it that you would recommend our company to a friend or acquaintance?" This "Employee Net Promoter Score" (eNPS) succinctly indicates how attractive and recommendable your company is as an employer.

The Typical Scale Is:

The Concrete Benefit for HR:

By using your eNPS strategically, you can quickly identify which departments or teams need support and where your company already shines. For us as a provider of referral software, this is particularly valuable because enthusiastic employees recommend the company further.

What Else You Need to Pay Attention To:

FAQ: Important Questions About Employee Satisfaction Surveys

How Often Should an Employee Satisfaction Survey Be Conducted?

From our experience, annual comprehensive surveys and quarterly smaller pulse checks have proven effective as they enable continuous improvement.

How Long Should a Good Satisfaction Survey Take at Most?

A survey should be completable in less than 15 minutes to minimize dropout rates. Typically, 10–20 questions are sufficient.

What Survey Format Is Best?

Online surveys offer the advantage of being quickly evaluated and requiring little effort. Choose intuitive tools that work well on mobile devices.

What Happens After the Survey?

Communicate openly about results and planned measures. Stay committed. Employees will take future surveys more seriously if they notice that feedback is genuinely implemented.

By using these 5 key questions in combination with helpful practical tips, you can achieve a truly successful employee satisfaction survey with real value for your HR work and the company as a whole.