What is Employee Sentiment Analysis and How to Measure It?

Organizations often feel blindsided when employees drop their resignations out of the blue. But what if they were giving subtle signs of dissatisfaction and discontent that management failed to notice?

It could gradually lead to issues like declining employee engagement rates and increased turnover. So, how do you make sure that you read the signs correctly?

Employee sentiment analysis is what can help you here. What exactly is it, and how does it play into the dynamics of the workplace?

Employee sentiment analysis is a method used by organizations to understand how their employees feel and why they feel a certain way.

Employee sentiment analysis makes use of AI techniques like NLP (natural language processing) and machine learning to automatically categorize employee feedback as negative, positive, or neutral based on the emotions and opinions it contains.

Often, employee feedback is analyzed in such a way that the overall message is the only thing managers take back from it.

Employee sentiment analysis utilizes text analytics to delve into the emotional undercurrents of employee responses. This approach uncovering the true spectrum of employee emotions towards the organization. By harnessing this data, companies gain valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses as an employer, enabling them to cultivate a more positive and productive work environment.

Here are some of the biggest benefits you receive as an organization by investing in employee sentiment analysis.

You get a clear idea of employee emotions

Employee sentiment analysis provides managers with a deeper understanding of employees' true feelings, beyond basic interactions. By analyzing expressions, tones, and feedback, companies can gauge the levels of happiness, motivation, and engagement within their workforce. This insight allows organizations to tailor strategies and address issues affecting employee well-being and productivity effectively.

It shows companies areas where they need to change

Sentiment analysis helps identify operational or cultural areas needing enhancement. It uncovers common employee concerns and themes, aiding in prioritizing initiatives and resource allocation. This feedback loop is instrumental for improvements such as enhancing communication, management practices, or overall workplace culture.

An excellent way to increase transparency in the company

Implementing sentiment analysis fosters a culture of openness. It allows employees to express their thoughts freely, building trust and transparency within the organization. This openness encourages accountability and continuous dialogue about significant workplace issues, increasing employee involvement and commitment to the company’s goals.

Easiest way to enhance employer branding

Regularly monitoring and responding to employee feedback through sentiment analysis strengthens employer branding.

It demonstrates a commitment to employee satisfaction and continuous improvement,  portraying the company as more attractive to prospective employees and retaining top talent. Positive endorsements from current employees can significantly influence potential candidates and enhance the company's public image.

Measuring employee sentiment effectively means having the right tools and methods to understand how your employees feel about your organization. Here’s a streamlined guide to the different techniques that can help you gather meaningful insights:

Surveys and Feedback Forms

‍These are essential for gauging employee perceptions on various aspects such as job satisfaction, corporate culture, and work-life balance.

Design questions that are direct and relevant to encourage useful feedback. Sharing results and follow-up actions with employees shows that their opinions are valued and considered for improvements.

Regular surveys help track changes in sentiment over time, allowing you to adjust strategies accordingly.

There are various vendors that provide employee sentiment analysis tools in their plan. Some of them are:

1. ThriveSparrow
2. Lattice
3. Qualtrics XM Discover
4. Leapsome, and
5. KeenCorp

Pulse Surveys

‍These quick surveys are great for collecting immediate feedback on specific issues or events. More frequent than traditional surveys, pulse surveys let you monitor trends like staff morale and engagement in real time, helping you respond rapidly to new developments.

One-on-One Interviews

‍Private and detailed, these interviews allow employees to share personal insights and experiences.

This method helps build trust, encouraging open and honest communication. You can delve deeper into specific topics with follow-up questions, providing a richer understanding of employee sentiment.

Focus Groups

‍In these group discussions, employees from various backgrounds can voice their concerns and ideas. This collaborative setting enriches the discussion, bringing multiple perspectives to the forefront. Well-facilitated sessions ensure productive dialogue and can lead to actionable insights.

Social Media Monitoring

‍Tracking discussions on platforms like LinkedIn or internal networks helps you capture real-time feedback and broader employee sentiment. This monitoring can inform you about the effectiveness of your communication strategies and the health of your employer brand.

By integrating these tools, you can develop a comprehensive approach to understanding and improving employee sentiment, fostering a more engaged and satisfied workforce.

Analyze the Right Way

Employee sentiment analysis is a useful tool that helps you understand what your employees feel about the organization.

To get the most accurate results, you have to choose a reliable employee engagement platform like ThriveSparrow, which allows you to customize the surveys to get more nuanced results. Once you plot the areas where employees feel happy and otherwise, you can confidently take the next step to creating that competitive edge.