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Top Metrics for Understanding Employee Satisfaction

David Law

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024


  • Reading Time:
    ~ 7 minutes

Employee satisfaction is a crucial indicator of an organisation’s success. Satisfied employees are more engaged, productive, and loyal to the company. Measuring employee satisfaction is essential for understanding the overall health of your organisation and identifying areas that need improvement. In this blog post, we will discuss ten key performance indicators (KPIs) that you can use to measure employee satisfaction effectively. These KPIs will provide valuable insights into your employees’ experiences and help you create a positive work environment that fosters engagement and retention.

The concept of satisfaction is complex, but there are established metrics that can measure its various aspects. These metrics are trackable and actionable, making them useful for setting employee satisfaction goals. They can also be used to conduct an initial satisfaction audit to assess overall performance and identify specific areas for improvement. By understanding and enhancing these key areas, not only can a better work environment be created, leading to happier and more productive employees, but it can also positively impact the employer’s brand from within. This can make recruitment easier by increasing brand awareness among potential candidates, giving an advantage in the search for talented individuals.

Measuring Employee Contentment

The Employee Satisfaction Index (ESI) is a valuable tool for measuring employee satisfaction levels within an organisation. It provides insights into how employees perceive their work environment, job roles, and overall company culture. The ESI is typically conducted through surveys, where employees are asked to rate their satisfaction on various aspects of their job on a scale, often ranging from “very dissatisfied” to “very satisfied.” The responses are then analysed to identify areas of concern and to develop strategies for improvement.

One of the key benefits of the ESI is its ability to pinpoint specific areas where employees may be experiencing dissatisfaction. By analysing the survey results, organisations can identify common themes or pain points that need to be addressed. For example, if a significant number of employees express dissatisfaction with their compensation or career growth opportunities, the organisation can take steps to address these issues and improve employee morale.

Furthermore, the ESI serves as a benchmark for tracking employee satisfaction over time. By conducting the survey periodically, organisations can monitor trends and assess the effectiveness of their employee engagement initiatives. This allows them to make data-driven decisions and implement changes that positively impact employee satisfaction and overall organisational performance.

The Employee Satisfaction Index is a powerful tool that enables organisations to gauge the well-being of their workforce, identify areas for improvement, and create a more engaged and productive work environment. By listening to their employees’ voices and acting based on the survey results, organisations can foster a positive work culture that drives success and retains top talent.

Tracking Absenteeism

Absenteeism is a prevalent issue that affects employee productivity and overall organisational performance. By understanding its impact and implementing effective strategies, companies can foster a more engaged and productive workforce. Calculating absenteeism rates and analysing trends over time can provide valuable insights into the well-being of employees. This data-driven approach enables organisations to identify areas needing improvement and develop targeted interventions.

To effectively address absenteeism, it is crucial to understand the underlying reasons behind employee absences. Factors such as health issues, personal emergencies, lack of motivation, burnout, and job dissatisfaction can all contribute to absenteeism. By understanding these root causes, organisations can develop tailored strategies to reduce absenteeism and enhance employee well-being.

Implementing flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, can provide employees with greater control over their work schedules, leading to increased satisfaction and reduced absenteeism. Additionally, offering employee assistance programmes, promoting work-life balance, and addressing workplace stressors can help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities effectively, resulting in improved attendance.

Annual Leave Utilisation

The average number of annual leave days used per employee can provide insights into the work-life balance and overall well-being of employees. Organisations should monitor this metric to ensure that employees are taking adequate time off to recharge and prevent burnout. Additionally, tracking the percentage of employees who use all of their annual leave can indicate whether employees feel comfortable taking time off without negative consequences.

Furthermore, it is important to understand the reasons why some employees do not use all of their annual leave. This could be due to various factors such as workload concerns, lack of coverage for their absence, or personal preferences. By addressing these underlying reasons, organisations can encourage employees to take their allotted annual leave, promoting better work-life balance and employee satisfaction.

Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS)

The Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) is a powerful metric for measuring employee satisfaction and loyalty. It is calculated by asking employees how likely they are to recommend the company to others on a scale of 0 to 10. Employees who respond with a score of 9 or 10 are considered “promoters,” while those who respond with a score of 6 or below are considered “detractors.” The eNPS score is calculated by subtracting the percentage of detractors from the percentage of promoters.

A high eNPS score indicates that employees are satisfied with their work environment and are likely to stay with the company. A low eNPS score, on the other hand, indicates that employees are dissatisfied and may be considering leaving. The eNPS score can be used to track employee satisfaction over time and to identify areas where improvements need to be made.

The eNPS score is a valuable tool for measuring employee satisfaction and loyalty. By understanding the eNPS score, organisations can take steps to improve their work environment and retain their top talent.

Monitoring Turnover Rates

The turnover rate is a key indicator of employee satisfaction. A high turnover rate can indicate that employees are dissatisfied with their work environment and are likely to leave the company. There are two main types of turnover: voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary turnover occurs when an employee leaves the company of their own accord, while involuntary turnover occurs when an employee is terminated by the company. Both types of turnover can be costly for the company, but voluntary turnover is generally more disruptive.

It is important to track both the voluntary and involuntary turnover rates, as well as the length of service of employees who leave. This information can help you identify the reasons for turnover and develop strategies to reduce it. Exit interviews can be a helpful tool for gathering information about the reasons why employees leave. This information can then be used to improve employee satisfaction and reduce turnover.

The cost of turnover can be significant, including the costs of recruiting, training, and lost productivity. Turnover can also hurt team morale and productivity. By tracking turnover rates and conducting exit interviews, companies can take steps to reduce turnover and improve employee satisfaction.

Here are some tips for reducing turnover:

  • Create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and respected.
  • Offer competitive salaries and benefits.
  • Provide opportunities for professional development and growth.
  • Encourage work-life balance.
  • Be fair and consistent in your policies and procedures.
  • Address employee concerns promptly and effectively.

By following these tips, companies can create a work environment that encourages employee retention and reduces turnover.

Internal Advancement Rates

The internal promotion rate (IPR) is a pivotal metric that reflects the percentage of employees who advance within the ranks of an organisation. This indicator holds significant value for several reasons.

Firstly, it serves as a barometer of employee contentment. When individuals perceive opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the company, their job satisfaction and loyalty tend to rise. This, in turn, contributes to a positive work environment and fosters a sense of belonging.

Secondly, a robust IPR plays a crucial role in talent retention. Recognising and promoting internal talent demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to nurturing employee growth. This acknowledgment motivates individuals to remain within the company, minimising the risk of losing valuable expertise and experience to external opportunities.

Thirdly, internal promotions offer cost efficiencies. By promoting from within, organisations can significantly reduce recruitment and training expenses. Instead of investing resources in external hires, they can redirect those funds towards developing the skills and competencies of their existing workforce.

Calculating the IPR is straightforward. It involves dividing the number of employees promoted internally by the total number of employees. For instance, if a company has 200 employees and 20 of them were promoted from within during a specific period, the IPR would be 10%.

To enhance IPR, organisations can implement strategic initiatives. One approach is to cultivate a culture that embraces career development. This entails providing comprehensive training programmes, mentoring opportunities, and clear career paths. By empowering employees to enhance their skills and knowledge, organisations foster a growth mindset and create a pipeline of qualified candidates for future promotions.

New Hire Retention Rate

The 90-day failure rate is a key performance indicator that measures the percentage of new hires who leave the company within their first 90 days of employment. This metric can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the company’s hiring and onboarding processes, as well as the overall job satisfaction and employee engagement levels. A high 90-day failure rate can indicate issues with the selection process, inadequate training programmes, or a lack of support for new employees.

To calculate the 90-day failure rate, divide the number of employees who left the company within 90 days by the total number of new hires during the same period. The resulting percentage represents the 90-day failure rate. For example, if 10 out of 100 new hires left the company within 90 days, the 90-day failure rate would be 10%.

A high 90-day failure rate can have several negative consequences for the company. Firstly, it leads to increased costs associated with hiring and training new employees to replace those who have left. Secondly, it can disrupt team dynamics and productivity as the team adjusts to the loss of a member and the integration of a new hire. Thirdly, it can create a negative employer brand and make it more challenging to attract and retain top talent in the future.

Employee Reviews

Online company ratings are a valuable source of information about employee satisfaction. By reading and analysing reviews on platforms like Seek, Glassdoor, and Indeed, companies can identify areas that need improvement and compare their ratings with those of competitors.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using online company ratings as a KPI for employee satisfaction. First, it is important to remember that not all reviews are created equal. Some reviews may be biased, while others may be based on a single bad experience. It is important to read and analyse reviews carefully, taking into account the overall tone and content of the review.

Second, it is important to identify areas that need improvement. What are the common complaints that employees have? Are there any areas where the company is consistently falling short? Once you have identified the areas that need improvement, you can develop plans to address them.

Finally, it is important to compare your company’s ratings with those of competitors. This will help you to see how your company is performing relative to its competitors and identify areas where you may need to improve.

By following these tips, you can use online company ratings as a valuable tool to measure employee satisfaction and improve your company’s performance.

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