Using technology to connect with people on employee engagement

Abstract

Purpose

In 2008, the UK Civil Service took the decision to bring together all departments' staff satisfaction surveys, creating an overarching employee engagement survey across the entire civil service. Infogroup/ORC International was charged with the unprecedented task of organizing and implementing this survey, ensuring that it met the complex requirements of Civil Service managers. This paper aims to focus on this initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

It was critical to understand the challenges associated with communicating a survey and its results to such a large and diverse population. Through the use of user‐centered design, client‐panels and best practice, ORC International designed an online tool, called “highlights,” to meet the Civil Service's needs, ensuring that the survey and its findings achieved the outlined aims.

Findings

Since its launch, highlights has received over 300,000 hits, demonstrating the importance placed on the Civil Service People Survey and the success of the tool in communicating the survey results in an effective, user‐friendly format. Analysis of the use of the tool has shaped the future development, in preparation for the 2010 survey.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the challenges associated with communicating a survey and its results to such a large and diverse population.

Citation

Winston, S. (2010), "Using technology to connect with people on employee engagement", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 9 No. 6, pp. 5-10. https://doi.org/10.1108/14754391011078054