Staff surveys with DEI questions can tell us about who we are, how we treat each other, and encourage opportunities for everyone to be heard.

An increasing number of organizations are beginning to recognize the inherent value of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) framework and are looking to promote and develop these aspects within their culture. Some inevitable questions arise: “How are we doing? Are we making progress? Are we succeeding?”

One of the best ways to understand how an organization is treating the people who work within it is to directly ask the employees themselves. “Staff experience” surveys are a useful tool to gauge how employees perceive their workplace, to solicit feedback and input on what is going well, and to identify where there may be opportunities for further development. A well-designed staff survey that includes questions specifically related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, can provide valuable insights into the practiced culture of an organization through the lived experience of its employees.

Columinate consultants have developed a set of DEI-specific questions for our employee survey question menu. DEI as a set of principles and practices comprises three distinct aspects, and we have developed questions to provide an opportunity to reflect on each of them. DEI questions can tell us about who we are, how we treat each other, and encourage opportunities for everyone to be heard.

Our survey menu continually evolves, based on input from existing clients and other tools and resources we’ve reviewed. We also collaborate with colleagues who specialize in the field of DEI, with the goal to make the survey process itself as representative and inclusive as it can be. We are very pleased to offer DEI survey data as part of our reporting for mission-driven organizations.

Our transparent methodology supports soliciting honest input and feedback from the people who make our organizations great, and we recognize the deep value of hearing directly from team members about their experience. We offer our third-party surveys through a custom online platform, because maintaining the anonymity of respondents is critical. It is vital to providing a safe space in which to engage, listen, and consider how organizations may continue to actively welcome and encourage all employees to participate fully in their common purpose.

The DEI survey format is a tool to explore and reflect on how employees experience the aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplace. It provides organizations with insight into areas of strength and opportunity as they continue to grow and develop their unique culture in the service of their mission.

Learn more:

https://columinate.coop/what-we-do/staff-surveys/