Do you really know what your staff think about you?

This is a guest blog by Wotter

Collecting feedback from your employees is crucial for business success. But not all feedback is created equal! If you're only collecting non-anonymous feedback, you're missing out on valuable insights. 

Why anonymous feedback is more trustworthy 

Imagine you get asked for feedback on your manager on the same platform where you report to them and they see everything you do. How candid would you be?  

It’s a basic human instinct to not share your true thoughts when there might be consequences. This is especially true when there's a power imbalance like in the relationship between an employee and a manager. Non-anonymous feedback often fails to show how employees truly feel, especially on sensitive topics like workplace culture, harassment, or management styles. Employees may sugarcoat responses to avoid negative repercussions, meaning you miss out on critical information. 

Anonymous systems, on the other hand, empower employees to be honest, providing a safe space for open sharing. This leads to more accurate insights into the real issues affecting your workforce, giving you a clearer picture of employee morale, potential problems, and areas for improvement. When employees know their feedback is confidential, they're more likely to share honest and constructive criticism, even if it's negative. This can be invaluable for identifying and addressing underlying issues within your company. 

How to collect anonymous feedback 

Paper suggestion boxes or basic online forms are a great start, but can be easily ignored or lack depth.  

Keeping sensitive surveys off your internal systems ensures more accurate feedback, so third-party systems are essential. Companies like Wotter in particular provides continuous surveys on 24 areas of engagement, so you always have the best data available to make the best decisions for your people.  

The benefits of anonymous feedback 

Anonymous feedback is more actionable. Employees can share specific examples of their pain points, leading to targeted improvements and increased engagement. It fosters a more open workplace where employees feel safe speaking their minds, leading to a more positive and productive environment.  

But it goes beyond culture; it directly impacts your bottom line. When employees feel heard, they are more productive. Which is incredibly important in a sector like Recruitment where your people are your biggest differentiator. Anonymous feedback builds trust and strengthens your employer brand, showing employees you value their opinions. 

Moreover, anonymous feedback can help you identify and address issues before they escalate into bigger problems. By providing a safe space for employees to voice concerns, you can proactively address issues like workplace conflict, discrimination, or harassment, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious work environment. 

Tips for collecting anonymous feedback 

• Make it easy: Use simple surveys, clear questions, and an accessible platform like Wotter. 

• Be transparent: Explain how the feedback will be used to drive improvements. 

• Follow up: Communicate changes made based on the feedback. 

If you're serious about getting the most valuable feedback, it's time to start collecting it anonymously. 

Ready to unlock the power of honest feedback? Visit https://wotter.ai to learn more about how Wotter can transform your workplace culture.