Employee surveys are meant to give people a voice.
But what happens when those surveys backfire?
When results are ignored, misinterpreted, or brushed under the rug?
The reality is that many employees end up losing trust in the process. And once trust is gone, it’s very hard to get back.
If your organisation has been through failed surveys in the past, you might already be feeling the effects… low participation, scepticism, and a general sense of “what’s the point?” from your team.
This is where a trusted employee feedback platform can make all the difference.
Rebuilding trust after failed surveys starts with honesty. Employees can tell when feedback is just a tick-box exercise, but they can also tell when leaders genuinely want to listen and learn. The moment you show real transparency and act on what people share, that’s when trust starts to grow again. 
Before rebuilding trust, it’s crucial to recognise where things broke down.
If previous surveys were ignored or poorly communicated, employees will remember. The best way to move forward is to acknowledge past mistakes.
That might mean saying, “We know we haven’t always followed up on survey feedback in the past – and we’re changing that.”
This honesty shows accountability and respect, helping employees feel heard before you even ask for their next round of feedback.
When people see that you’re taking responsibility, they’re much more likely to re-engage.
When employee surveys don’t deliver on their promise, the damage is bigger than just wasted time.
And it’s not just employees who lose out. Businesses miss vital opportunities to understand morale, engagement, and the real issues bubbling under the surface.
Employees need to feel safe when sharing their opinions. That means knowing their feedback is:
When surveys are powered by a trusted employee feedback platform like Stribe, employees can see that feedback is handled fairly and professionally – not lost in an internal inbox. It’s a crucial step in repairing the broken trust caused by failed surveys.
At Stribe we’ve helped over 1000 senior HR leaders with safe, transparent, and genuinely useful surveys.
Here’s how we do it:
If past surveys have left your team disengaged, it’s not too late to turn things around.
Working with a trusted employee feedback platform gives you the chance to hit reset.
With Stribe, you can give your people the safe space they need to speak up and your organisation the insights it needs to move forward.
About the author
Starting out her early career as a journalist, Jade Madeley is an accomplished content writer with 8+ years’ experience across business, personal finance, SaaS, human resources and employee engagement. Working with Stribe, she crafts insightful content that brings complex HR topics to life and drives meaningful action.
