Why an Employee Wellness Survey Are Essential for a Thriving Workplace

An employee wellness survey is more than just checkboxes on your HR team's to-do list—they're a strategic tool for fostering workplace health, boosting engagement, and retaining top talent. In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of an employee wellness survey, from understanding its importance to crafting the right questions. Whether you are new to these surveys or looking to refine your approach, this guide will set you on the path to workplace wellness success.

Why Do Great Employees Stay in the Workplace?

Retaining top talent goes beyond offering competitive salaries. The best employees stay because they feel challenged, valued, and connected to their work. Here’s what truly makes them stick around:

1. Opportunities for Growth and Learning

High-performing employees crave professional development. When companies invest in skill-building, mentorship programs, and career advancement opportunities, employees feel motivated to grow within the organization rather than seek opportunities elsewhere.

2. Meaningful Work and Impact

People want to know their work matters. Employees who see a direct impact of their contributions—whether on customers, the company, or a greater cause—are more likely to stay engaged and committed to their role. Regular feedback and goal alignment help reinforce this sense of purpose.

3. Strong Managerial Support

A great boss makes all the difference. Employees stay when they feel supported by leadership, receive recognition for their work, and know their manager genuinely cares about their well-being and career progression. A culture of trust and open communication fosters long-term loyalty.

4. Transparency and Inclusion

Employees don’t want to feel like outsiders in their own workplace. When leadership openly communicates company goals, challenges, and decisions, employees feel more connected and engaged. Transparent communication and involvement in decision-making processes strengthen trust and commitment.

5. Workplace Well-Being

Beyond physical health, workplaces that support mental and emotional well-being create environments where employees thrive. Providing flexible work arrangements, mental health resources, and a culture of work-life balance keeps employees happy, engaged, and productive.

6. Engagement

Engaged employees are passionate about their work and aligned with company goals. Engagement often stems from feeling heard, valued, and supported—and that’s where employee satisfaction surveys come into play. Studies have shown that satisfied and happy employees are more engaged. In turn, engaged employees are productive employees. 

How Does An Employee Wellness Survey Work?

An employee wellness survey is a structured questionnaire designed to measure various aspects of employee well-being. These surveys evaluate physical health, mental well-being, financial stability, and overall satisfaction at work. What Do They Measure?

1. Physical Health: Assess habits like exercise, sleep, and diet.
2. Mental Well-Being: Gauge stress levels, emotional resilience, and access to mental health resources.
3. Financial Wellness: Understand employees' financial stability and access to resources like retirement plans or financial education.
4. Engagement and Satisfaction: Identify areas where employees feel fulfilled or frustrated.

How Do Big Brands Use Employee Satisfaction Surveys?

Big brands demonstrate that employee satisfaction surveys are more than feedback tools—they’re integral to creating an environment where employees thrive. These strategies underscore the importance of actionable insights and reinforce why wellness surveys are a cornerstone of a successful workplace.

Google

Google’s use of employee satisfaction surveys has led to revolutionary policies like unlimited sick leave and "20% time" for passion projects. These initiatives are directly linked to survey feedback.

Microsoft

Microsoft leverages wellness surveys to refine its hybrid work policies, ensuring employees feel supported working remotely or in the office.

Starbucks

Starbucks uses employee health and wellness surveys to improve its benefits packages, such as mental health support and financial wellness programs for baristas.

Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble incorporates employee satisfaction survey results into its talent retention strategies, enhancing engagement through targeted programs like leadership training and mentorship opportunities.

Unilever

Unilever uses survey data to align wellness initiatives with employee needs. Their focus on sustainability and mental well-being often emerges as top priorities, leading to globally recognized wellness campaigns.

TheySaid Integration

With TheySaid’s AI-powered surveys, brands like these gain deeper insights by engaging employees in real-time conversations, uncovering actionable feedback beyond standard survey metrics. AI-driven insights help organizations pinpoint specific areas for improvement, ensuring wellness programs deliver measurable value.

By combining advanced analytics with empathetic listening, big brands transform survey feedback into actionable strategies that fuel growth and engagement.

Read - Survey Questions to Boost Employee Satisfaction

What Are the Different Types of Employee Wellness Surveys?

Each type of survey addresses a unique aspect of employee well-being. By understanding the different formats, businesses can tailor their approach to gain targeted insights that drive meaningful change.

1. Employee Wellness Program Survey

It measures the effectiveness of current wellness initiatives.

2. Employee Financial Wellness Survey

It focuses on financial well-being and covers budgeting, debt, and savings.

3. Employee Health and Wellness Survey

It covers physical and mental health habits, access to resources, and overall wellness.

4. General Employee Satisfaction Survey

It explores workplace culture, job satisfaction, and engagement.

Read - Boost Productivity with an Employee Satisfaction Survey

What Are Good Employee Wellness Survey Questions?

Employee Wellness Survey Questions

1. How would you rate your overall well-being on a scale of 1 to 10? (Rating)
2. Do you feel your workload allows for a healthy work-life balance? (Yes/No)
3. How often do you utilize company wellness resources? (Open-Ended)
4. What’s one thing the company could do to improve your wellness? (Open-Ended)
5. Do you feel your workplace supports your physical health? (Yes/No)
6. How satisfied are you with the communication regarding wellness initiatives? (Rating)
7. Do you think the wellness programs are inclusive? (Yes/No)
8. How frequently do you participate in wellness activities? (Rating)
9. What motivates you to use wellness resources? (Open-Ended)
10. Are there specific wellness topics you’d like addressed? (Open-Ended)

Employee Financial Wellness Survey Questions

1. Do you feel confident in your ability to manage personal finances? (Yes/No)
2. Does the company offer resources to improve financial literacy? (Yes/No)
3. How satisfied are you with the retirement benefits provided? (Rating)
4. Are financial stresses impacting your work performance? (Yes/No)
5. What additional financial wellness programs would you like to see? (Open-Ended)
6. How helpful are the current financial wellness workshops? (Rating)
7. Do you feel your salary meets your financial needs? (Yes/No)
8. Are you aware of the financial wellness tools available to you? (Yes/No)
9. What financial topics would you like covered in future programs? (Open-Ended)
10. How often do you engage with company-provided financial resources? (Rating)

Employee Health and Wellness Survey Questions

1. How often do you feel stressed at work? (Rating)
2. Are there sufficient resources for mental health support? (Yes/No)
3. Do you feel comfortable discussing health issues with management? (Yes/No)
4. How would you rate your access to healthcare benefits? (Rating)
5. What’s one improvement you’d suggest for the company’s wellness program? (Open-Ended)
6. How would you rate the company’s approach to preventive health measures? (Rating)
7. Are wellness activities accessible during your work hours? (Yes/No)
8. What health resources have you found most beneficial? (Open-Ended)
9. Do you feel encouraged to take breaks to support your mental health? (Yes/No)
10. Are there areas of your health the company could better support? (Open-Ended)

Employee Wellness Program Survey Questions

1. Which wellness program benefits do you use most frequently? (Open-Ended)
2. Do you feel these programs positively impact your overall well-being? (Yes/No)
3. What additional wellness initiatives would you like to see? (Open-Ended)
4. How accessible are wellness program resources? (Rating)
5. Do you think the company prioritizes employee wellness? (Yes/No)
6. Are the wellness activities engaging and relevant? (Yes/No)
7. What barriers prevent you from using wellness resources? (Open-Ended)
8. How satisfied are you with the variety of wellness programs offered? (Rating)
9. Would you recommend these wellness programs to colleagues? (Yes/No)
10. What feedback would you give to improve the wellness programs? (Open-Ended)

General Employee Satisfaction Questions

1. How likely are you to recommend working here to a friend? (Rating)
2. Do you feel valued by your team and management? (Yes/No)
3. What do you enjoy most about working here? (Open-Ended)
4. Are there opportunities for professional growth? (Yes/No)
5. How well does the company communicate its goals and vision? (Rating)
6. How satisfied are you with your work-life balance? (Rating)
7. Do you feel empowered to make decisions in your role? (Yes/No)
8. What’s one thing the company could do to improve employee satisfaction? (Open-Ended)
9. How supported do you feel in achieving your career goals? (Rating)
10. Do you feel recognized for your contributions to the team? (Yes/No)

Asking the right questions is essential to uncovering actionable insights. By mixing question types—rating scales, yes/no responses, and open-ended questions—companies can gather comprehensive data to inform decision-making.

The Power of AI Surveys with TheySaid

Traditional surveys can be tedious and fail to capture nuanced feedback. Enter TheySaid, the world's first survey that listens. Using AI, TheySaid creates engaging surveys and interviews that:

• Allow employees to share detailed insights through conversational AI.
• Provide deep, actionable insights by summarizing trends and detecting action items.
• Save time with AI-generated survey creation and analysis.

By integrating TheySaid into your employee wellness strategy, you’re not just collecting data but creating meaningful change.

FAQs About an Employee Wellness Survey

1. What is the purpose of an employee wellness survey? 

An employee wellness survey measures and improves workplace health, mental well-being, and overall satisfaction.

2. How often should companies conduct wellness surveys? 

It’s best to conduct wellness surveys quarterly or biannually to stay updated on employee needs.

3. Can wellness surveys improve employee retention? 

Yes, wellness surveys identify issues early, allowing companies to make changes to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

4. How do AI-powered surveys differ from traditional surveys? 

AI-powered surveys engage participants in real-time, providing richer, more actionable insights than static conventional surveys.

5. What’s a good first step to implementing wellness surveys? 

Start with a simple survey focusing on key wellness areas and use AI tools like TheySaid to enhance the process.