'We Want Dialog:' G+J Employee Survey Brings Excellent Results

The first employee survey in Gruner + Jahr's divisions Magazines Germany and Trade brought excellent results overall. However, some of the answers also indicated a need for more dialog among the employees, as G+J's employee magazine "Der Grüne Dienst" reported in its most recent issue.

When presenting the results, Bernd Buchholz, Member of G+J's Management Board and Director Magazines Germany, thanked the employees for their participation. 83 percent of all eligible individuals, equaling 1,830 of a total 2,205 employees, completed the questionnaires and thus contributed to the high significance of the survey. Positive statements, for example about identification with the company (91 percent assess G+J's image as positive, 85 percent would again join the company), therefore have as much weight as negative statements, for example about the possibilities for further development in other divisions. Bernd Buchholz: "I consciously want to avoid any interpretation of the condensed results. Each participant can make an interpretation only individually for themselves based on the results of their division." 

Buchholz emphasized that the result of the talks between executives and employees, and not the results of the survey as such, are what make the employee survey 2005 successful. "This does not mean that all expectations will be fulfilled in the future; but if 26 percent of the individuals surveyed want faster and more efficient decisions in their division, all I can say is: that's what I want too. So what is the reason for it not being like that? This is why we need to initiate a comprehensive dialog."

Overall, the results of the first employee survey in these two divisions are above-average positive not only with regard to participation. Bernd Buchholz was pleased with the surprisingly high acceptance: "The numbers in comparable employee surveys are 10 to 15 percent below our survey results." The group talks with superiors will be concluded by the end of January. Binding agreements between the executives and employees of a division will also be made as an incentive to prevent the agreed-upon improvements from being neglected in the day to day business.