Work Climate Survey Assignment

Conduct a Work Climate Survey.

If this survey is exclusively for learning purposes with this training, then five people will be an adequate sample size for learning purposes. However, we strongly recommend your taking advantage of this opportunity to do a valid survey of your work population.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Choose your method or methods for collecting survey information. There are three primary options:

• Conduct the survey online using the survey available on this website. 

• Print paper-and-pencil Work Climate Surveys, distribute the surveys, collect them and then enter the data on the website manually.

• Print paper-and-pencil Work Climate Surveys, distribute the surveys, collect them and mail them to the Human Resources Institute with a payment of $1 per survey and we will scan them into the computer for analysis.

The primary benefits of online survey administration are that the data entry is accomplished as the person completes the survey and you do not have to print or collect paper surveys. The primary disadvantages are that employees may not have access to the Internet and may feel less comfortable with this technology. You may want to offer both options.

Step 2: Secure management support for conducting the survey. At a minimum middle and senior management should be told about the purpose of the survey and your plans for conducting the survey.

Step 3: Create a cover letter that:

• Explains the purpose of the survey

• Assures confidentiality and states that the survey is voluntary

• Provides general instructions for completing and returning the completed survey

• Provides a deadline for completing the survey

• Explains who to contact with questions or concerns.

Ideally, management and/or union representatives should sign the cover letter to potential survey participants.

With online surveys, the cover letter takes the form of an email invitation. Include a password of your choosing that will be used to identify your employees' surveys. Participants will enter this password to identify their group. Please pick something that is distinctive, easy to remember and relatively short. Include in the password in your email instructions for how to complete the survey. Also include a link in your email to the survey web address. The online address is http://www.healthyworkclimate.com/htm/wcsurvey.asp. You can copy and paste from the sample email letter. Click on this link for a sample email cover letter for the online survey.

If paper surveys are to be used, the cover letter should be on the organization's stationary. Click on this link for a sample cover letter for a paper survey. Specify how the completed surveys are to be returned for processing. Try to keep the process as hassle-free as possible by providing a return envelop and postage (when necessary). Also try to organize the survey return process so that it assures confidentiality.

Step 4: Generate your list of employees that will be surveyed. If this survey is exclusively for learning purposes with this training, then five people will be an adequate sample size for learning purposes. However, we strongly recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity and conduct a valid survey of your work population. For information about selecting an statistically appropriate sample, click on this link to the webpage about sample size.

Step 5: Online survey invitations should be sent and paper surveys should be distributed and collected. Every culture has its own history with surveys. You should investigate to determine the best strategy for getting a good response rate. As a general rule, if the response rate is unexpectedly low (below 50 percent) consider sending a reminder request and information for how to obtain a replacement copy of the survey.

Step 6: Email us to let us know that it is time to analyze the data or send the completed paper survey to us for scanning to Human Resources Institute, 151 Dunder Road, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA. We will take this information and prepare graphs and charts suitable for you to assess the current work climate. The report of your Work Climate Survey findings will be sent to you via email. This information will be used during the remainder of the Work Climate Training.

Please email your report to JuddA@healthyculture.com