Top 20 employee wellbeing questions HR managers need to ask

Top 20 employee wellbeing questions HR managers need to ask

Employee wellbeing is one of those ever-growing human resources conversations that we could write about for hours on end. Because in today’s evolving work environment, employee wellbeing is not just an option, but a necessity for businesses to thrive.

That’s why we’ve called upon our friends and pulse survey experts at Stribe to break things down – with a simple list of 20 of the top wellbeing questions you need to be asking your team to gain the insights needed to create a happy working environment. 

‍Why is employee wellbeing so important for business success?

If you’ve landed here, we’re betting your team's happiness and productivity are undoubtedly at the forefront of your priorities – so you probably already understand just how important employee wellbeing is to an organisation’s success. 

When employees feel supported, valued, and emotionally and physically healthy, they are more motivated, focused, and committed to their work, leading to higher performance levels and overall business success.

Additionally, a positive workplace culture that prioritises wellbeing attracts top talent and builds loyalty among employees. 

‍How do you measure employee wellbeing? ‍

You can very effectively measure employee wellbeing using pulse surveys, which are short, frequent surveys designed to gauge employee sentiment and engagement in real-time. 

By asking specific questions relating to the four pillars of wellbeing – physical, emotional, social, and financial – you will identify valuable insights into employees' overall wellness. Analysing pulse survey responses will then help you to recognise trends, address issues promptly, and implement targeted initiatives to enhance employee wellbeing, leading to a happier and more productive workforce.

‍Top employee wellbeing questions to ask your team‍

The most effective employee wellbeing surveys encompass all pillars of wellbeing by addressing various aspects of an employee's life. By considering all aspects of wellbeing, you will gain a holistic understanding of your employees' health and happiness, allowing you to create comprehensive wellbeing programs.

Your survey should be anonymous, and questions should be crafted to be thoughtful, measurable, and open-ended to encourage as much dialogue as possible… ‍

Physical wellbeing questions 

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your overall energy levels during your working hours?
   
   
2. How many hours of quality sleep do you typically get on weeknights? Is there anything that affects the quality of your sleep?
   
   
3. How often do you engage in physical activities or exercise each week, and what types of activities do you enjoy the most?
   
   
4. Are there any specific physical health challenges you are facing, and do you feel supported in addressing them at work?
   
   
5. Do you have any suggestions for how we can improve the workplace environment to better support your physical health?

Emotional wellbeing questions 

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your current emotional wellbeing, and what factors contribute to your rating?
   
   
2. Do you feel comfortable discussing your emotions and wellbeing with your manager or colleagues? If not, what improvements can we make to create a more supportive and open environment?
   
   
3. What activities or initiatives would you find beneficial in promoting emotional wellbeing within the workplace?
   
   
4. Are there any specific challenges in your role that affect your emotional health, and how can we provide assistance or resources to alleviate them?
   
   
5. What impact, if any, has the organisational culture had on your emotional wellbeing, and what changes would you like to see to create a more positive and supportive culture?‍

Social wellbeing questions 

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how connected do you feel to your colleagues and the broader team? What factors contribute to this sense of connection or disconnection?
   
   
2. Are there any barriers or challenges you face in collaborating with others or building relationships at work? How can we overcome these challenges to create a more inclusive and collaborative environment?
   
   
3. How do you feel about the communication channels and opportunities for feedback and recognition within the organisation? Are there any improvements we can make?
   
   
4. How do you perceive the diversity and inclusion efforts within the organisation? What actions could we take to promote a more diverse and inclusive workplace?
   
   
5. What team-building activities or initiatives would you find valuable in strengthening social bonds and enhancing teamwork?

‍Financial wellbeing questions 

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how financially secure do you feel in your current role? What factors contribute to this sense of security or insecurity?

2. How well do you feel the organisation supports your financial goals and aspirations? Are there any specific benefits or programs you find particularly helpful in this regard?

   

2. On a scale of 1 to 10, how confident are you in managing your personal finances, including budgeting, saving, and investing? What factors contribute to your rating?

4. Are you satisfied with the compensation and benefits package provided by the organisation? If not, what improvements or additions would you find valuable?

   

5. Have you encountered any financial challenges that impact your overall wellbeing? How do you think can we can better assist employees facing financial difficulties?

By simply asking these questions, you give your employees a voice – which is the first step to creating a healthy workplace culture. And with the insights you gain, you can be confident you’ll have a blueprint for building a holistic and inclusive wellbeing strategy that will prioritise your people first.