The Difference Between an Engagement Survey and a Culture Survey

As organizations strive to grow and optimize business practices, they oftentimes look inward to their people. Rightfully so – people are the backbone of any company.

When employers evaluate themselves internally, they frequently use the terms ‘culture’ and ‘engagement’ interchangeably. This makes sense – they are inextricably linked. But engagement and culture are also distinct, differing in the way they are created, measured, and enhanced.

In short, engagement surveys look at the “I” point of view, while culture surveys examine the “We” perspective.

Now let’s get in-depth about it:

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4 Reasons Why Your Brand Will Suffer Without CSR

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) used to be viewed as the obligatory “giving back” of the big bad corporation. It’s how companies atoned for the sin of being a for-profit business. But that’s not exactly the case anymore. In a transparent, highly-connected world, there are now good companies and bad companies in the eyes of the public. Not just bad companies who try to make up for it with CSR.

In this article, we’ll share four reasons why it’s critical for companies of all sizes to become cause-driven in their CSR efforts (and why the term CSR is quickly becoming outdated). […]

Use Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ Theory to Improve Employee Engagement at Your Organization

If you ever studied Psychology, you probably learned about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. If not, here’s a brief rundown:

The basic idea behind Maslow’s theory is that people will excel in life when their basic needs are met.

The theory is often visually represented as a hierarchical pyramid with 5 levels, or different ‘needs’ (see image below). In order for higher-level needs to be fulfilled and influence behavior, the lower level needs must be satisfied first.

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The lowest level of the pyramid includes the basics – food, water, sleep, etc. and moves upwards into more advanced needs like security and belonging.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory can be directly applied to how an organization keeps its employees engaged.

We’ve all heard that higher employee engagement positively impacts the success of a company – but how well do we really understand the motivations that drive high employee engagement?

For a lot of people, the basic needs are a job are that the salary lets them pay the bills. Generally speaking, having a sense of financial autonomy is innate in almost all of us. Most people won’t feel comfortable disregarding money in favor of other things.

Moving up the pyramid, employers should consider security.

While we may like to think we are motivated by other factors, after the salary meets their needs, job seekers will then consider if the position is permanent or if there is room for growth.

By nature, we crave stability.

Given the volatility of the job market, most people will be reluctant to take a position they may not be able to keep, or one that has no upward mobility.

Luckily, the majority of organizations recognize the importance of the previously mentioned survival and security needs. It’s the higher-level survival and security needs where employers should be paying closer attention if they want to attract and retain great employees.

The third level of Maslow’s pyramid, is belonging.

We like to feel like we a part of something.

Employee Engagement

Do your employees know your mission statement? Do they recognize the values of the company? How is your company culture?

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that hiring great people is enough on its own to create a company culture and camaraderie.

The 4th level of Maslow’s pyramid is what really enables an individual to excel in their job and reach the highest level of engagement with an employer – importance.

Your employees should understand that their work matters.

As an employer, are you adequately recognizing your team and meeting their need for importance?

If you’re not sure, consider implementing an employee recognition program

Hint: If you’re not sure how – Check out Employee Recognition and Engagement

Once the needs of survival, security, belonging, and importance have been met – Employees can reach the top of the pyramid: self-actualization

Employees who get to the level of self-actualization are highly engaged and able to reach their full potential. Simply put, they are passionate about what they do.

Reaching this final stage, the emphasis is on what an employee can do for others. Specifically, how they can help the business grow or inspire other people around them.

Interested in learning more about employee engagement or helping your employees reach the top of the pyramid? Check out one of our free resources below!

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Proactive VS Reactive HR

Your employees can account for up to 80% of the costs of doing business. Therefore, how you hire, retain, and manage your people directly impacts your bottom line. Due to this fact, it is imperative that you are proactive in how you manage your human resources.

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The Glassdoor Effect: Do You Know What Your Employees Really Think About You?

If you’ve been a savvy job seeker in the past few years, you’ve probably heard of the website Glassdoor.

Giving more transparency for the recruitment and job-hunting industry is what the ‘glass’ in the name is referencing.

The Silicon Valley company provides an online platform where employees (past and current) can anonymously review companies and their management

The website is ideal for job seekers who want an inside look into potential employers. Users can browse through a company’s salaries, interview questions, and the pros and cons for working there (You can check it out here!)

GlassDoor is an excellent resource for candidates – But what are the implications for employers?

Every year, GlassDoor aggregates its own content (company reviews) and compiles a ‘Best Places to Work List’. Based on anonymous ratings and reviews, Airbnb topped the list last year and unsurprisingly, received a massive influx in job applications.

Glasdooor Employer Branding
Last year alone, Airbnb received over 180,000 CVs.

Because of the power that GlassDoor’s list has in attracting candidates to a certain company, an increasing number or businesses are taking note of the website (or others similar) and realizing that the reviews cannot be ignored.

According to an article by Forbes, J.B. Kellogg, the CEO of software provider Madwire takes the time to personally respond to reviews on GlassDoor. He’s even gone as far as making changes to company policies based on reviews that have come into the website. For example, Madwire now offers a share of paid time off at the beginning of each month instead of requiring employees to accrue it over time. Kellogg believes that the positive reviews received on GlassDoor have helped him acquire top talent.

But what can you do as an employer to ensure you’d come across positively on Glassdoor?

When done properly, responses on GlassDoor can go a long way toward elevating your employer brand.

If you are in a leadership role with your company – ensure that there are outlets for your team members to give regular feedback. Be transparent, Glassdoor gives employees the option to rate their approval of the CEO.

As well, go as far back as your hiring process. Did you treat applicants fairly? Were people followed up with? Were interviews grueling and uncomfortable? One of the most viewed parts of the site is the section in which employees (or those that didn’t get the job) review the interview process, a section where things can get quite scathing.

Additionally, In an interview with Talent Management, Robert Hohman, Glassdoor founder and CEO explained how employers can engage with reviews:

“I highly encourage employers to thank a reviewer for taking the time to write it. If they highlighted something great you do, you can amplify that and give a little more detail; if they pointed out something that needs to be improved, and maybe you’ve changed it, you can talk about that, or at least thank them even if you don’t agree with what they said because they took the time to review.”

As seen through the rise of Glassdoor, the importance of employer branding cannot be overstated. To learn more about attracting top talent and becoming an employer of choice – Check out one of our FREE resources!
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Understanding LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Applications

If you or one of your employees are currently working, or are planning on working in Canada under the International Mobility Program, then you need to be aware of the following regulation changes, as it may impact your (or your employees’) work permit or work permit renewal application.

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Overcoming the Mining and Manufacturing Labor Shortage: Proven Strategies for HR Professionals in 2025

The Growing Challenge of Skilled Labor Recruitment in Industrial Sectors

America’s labor shortage has become one of the most pressing challenges for industries nationwide—and for HR professionals in mining and manufacturing, the effects are especially pronounced. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, manufacturing positions remain unfilled for an average of 43 days, while specialized mining roles can take up to 62 days to fill. This hiring delay costs industrial companies an estimated $98 billion annually in lost productivity and additional recruitment expenses.

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How Trump’s March 2025 Tariffs Could Reshape Canada’s Mining Workforce

The Canadian mining industry is bracing for significant change as U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced plans to impose substantial tariffs on Canadian goods beginning March 1, 2025. With most Canadian exports facing a 25% tariff and energy products like oil and electricity set at 10%, the mining sector—one of Canada’s largest exporters to the U.S.—stands at a critical juncture.

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10 Critical Interview Mistakes That Cost Job Seekers Offers (And How to Avoid Them)

Did you know that 33% of hiring managers decide whether to hire someone within the first 90 seconds of an interview? Landing a job interview is a major milestone in your career journey, but even small missteps can cost you that coveted position. In this guide, we outline the 10 most damaging mistakes candidates make and provide essential interview etiquette tips that every job seeker should master. Read on to discover how to make a lasting positive impression and avoid the common pitfalls that derail promising opportunities.

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