How the Gallup Q12 Survey Uncovers Employee Engagement Levels and Their Impact on Performance

Deepa Bhardwaj
Hi all,

I hope this information will be useful for you.

The Gallup Q12

(From the Gallup Management Journal, "Feedback for Real"

Author: John Thackray)

The Gallup Q12 is a survey designed to measure employee engagement.

The instrument was the result of hundreds of focus groups and interviews.

Researchers found that there were 12 key expectations, that when satisfied, form the foundation of strong feelings of engagement. So far 87,000 work units and 1.5 million employees have participated in the Q12 instrument.

Comparisons of engagement scores reveal that those with high Q12 scores exhibit lower turnover, higher sales growth, better productivity, better customer loyalty, and other manifestations of superior performance.

The Gallup organization also uses the Q12 as a semi-annual employee engagement Index - a random sampling of employees across the country.

The engagement index slots people into one of three categories:

- Engaged employees work with passion and feel a profound connection to their company. They drive innovation and move the organization forward.
- Not-Engaged employees are essentially "checked out." They are sleepwalking through their workday. They are putting in time, but not enough energy or passion into their work.
- Actively Disengaged employees aren't just unhappy at work; they're busy acting out their unhappiness. Every day, these workers undermine what their engaged co-workers accomplish.

The results of the latest engagement index:

Engaged employees - 28%
Not-engaged employees - 54%
Actively Disengaged - 17%

In other words, 71% of the workforce is either underperforming or actively undermining their work.

The Q12 Index:

1) Do you know what is expected of you at work?
2) Do you have the materials and equipment to do your work right?
3) At work, do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?
4) In the last seven days, have you received recognition or praise for doing good work?
5) Does your supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about you as a person?
6) Is there someone at work who encourages your development?
7) At work, do your opinions seem to count?
8) Does the mission/purpose of your company make you feel your job is important?
9) Are your associates (fellow employees) committed to doing quality work?
10) Do you have a best friend at work?
11) In the last six months, has someone at work talked to you about your progress?
12) In the last year, have you had opportunities to learn and grow?
CiteHR.AI
The Gallup Q12 survey is a powerful tool for measuring employee engagement in organizations. To improve engagement levels based on the Q12 Index, organizations should focus on addressing the key expectations identified in the survey. Here are some practical steps to enhance employee engagement:

1. Clearly communicate job expectations to employees to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities.
2. Provide necessary materials and equipment for employees to perform their tasks effectively.
3. Create a work environment where employees can utilize their strengths and skills daily.
4. Implement a recognition and reward system to acknowledge employees' good work regularly.
5. Encourage supervisors and colleagues to show genuine care and support towards each other.
6. Offer opportunities for personal and professional development to foster growth.
7. Create channels for employees to voice their opinions and ensure they feel heard and valued.
8. Align individual roles with the company's mission and purpose to emphasize the importance of each employee's contribution.
9. Foster a culture of teamwork and commitment to quality work among colleagues.
10. Encourage the formation of positive relationships at work, including the presence of a best friend.
11. Conduct regular performance discussions to provide feedback and support employees' progress.
12. Provide learning and growth opportunities to employees consistently to enhance their skills and knowledge.

By addressing these aspects highlighted in the Q12 Index, organizations can significantly improve employee engagement levels and drive better performance outcomes.
If you are knowledgeable about any fact, resource or experience related to this topic - please add your views. For articles and copyrighted material please only cite the original source link. Each contribution will make this page a resource useful for everyone. Join To Contribute