In TS16949 Section 4.1.6 (Employee motivation, empowerment and satisfaction), is "employee satisfaction" referring to satisfaction with the quality system or overall job satisfaction? The way it reads makes me think the first option, but knowing the European emphasis on job satisfaction makes me wonder about the second. What do you all think?

Dave,

I believe this section refers to both overall employee satisfaction and driving employee awareness of the quality system.

Overall, there is a need to include all employees in the quality process which could lead to satisfaction and drive continuous improvement.

We have recently added direct and hourly employees to our TS Steering Committee as a first step in increasing awareness to our overall quality goals and expectations. By having this rotating involvement we can monitor levels of satisfaction and knowledge of the quality system.

Currently, we are using a "blind" monthly survey to begin the documentation process but are searching for some more concrete methodology.

Maybe some other contributors can post the methods they are utilizing to monitor this section.

ASD...

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Al Dyer
Mngt. Rep.
ullysses3@excite.com

As far as this requirement is concerned we have taken it as overall "Employess Satisfaction" which includes also the job satisfaction. The motivated employee is a must for effective implementation of the system.Once in a year an employee survey is conducted which includes Seven different parameters to obtain the views. All employees are not covered. It is done on sampling but selecting the sample size on random basis. Results are analysed and reviewd.This has helped in correcting lot of situations which were point of dissatisfaction among employees.However, labour and union matters are out of its perview. I hope it helps.

>Once in a year an employee survey is >conducted which includes Seven different >parameters to obtain the views.
Amar,
Could I have a copy of the survey questions you use? I am helping to write our survey but am having trouble creating questions. "Seven parameters" sounds like it would cover everything.

If there is anyone else who has a survey form they like and can share, I would appreciate the information.

Thank you,
Doreen
dsavoldi@fairfieldmfg.com

I would like a copy also. Thanks for any help you can give me. mlretcher@defiancemetal.com

Amar, I would appreciate a copy as well. Perhaps you could post an abridged version of the 7 areas on this discussion thread?

Dave
dave_johansen@msn.com

Amar,

You mention that employees receive an annual review based on 7 objectives.

What is the basis for sampling the work force and not surveying the entire work force?

What is the criteria for selecting the employee to be surveyed and have you had any bias problems?

Is there a mechanism in place to ensure that the same employees are not surveyed over and over?

What are the measurables obtained from the surveys?

Has this methodology been accepted by your lead auditor and registrar?

Looking forward to your response!

ASD...

Is this section required a separate procedure? Thanks for the advice.

I Would appreciate a copy of your survey questionaire,together with your proposed method of quantifying satisfaction levels, by which any follow up surveys will be measured against.As i am sure our Auditors wil be loking for improvements over time (Continuous Improvement)? Originally posted by Amar K Seth:
As far as this requirement is concerned we have taken it as overall "Employess Satisfaction" which includes also the job satisfaction. The motivated employee is a must for effective implementation of the system.Once in a year an employee survey is conducted which includes Seven different parameters to obtain the views. All employees are not covered. It is done on sampling but selecting the sample size on random basis. Results are analysed and reviewd.This has helped in correcting lot of situations which were point of dissatisfaction among employees.However, labour and union matters are out of its perview. I hope it helps.

I am trying to get a copy of the standard.
Is there any sites to download it from for free?

I am a Ph.D. student at the University of Texas in Arlington. I am conducting research for an MBA class on employee satisfaction with about 25 people. I was wondering if I reference you or your company in the final report/paper along with your sales address and phone number as well as a sample survey (if you like) may I please use about 25 of your paper surveys for free? Or - does anyone out there have a general employee satisfaction survey that I can use?

I eagerly await your response via my email address below. I hope you are having a GREAT day!

Cordially,

Thomas J. Kadela

I don't think my email address was typed in. Sorry for that.

Here it is:

tjk6181@exchange.uta.edu

Thank you again!

Thomas J. Kadela

Hi I am Peter Stokes from UK and a registered TS16949 auditor and consultant. Employee satisfaction means overall job satisfaction. Thinking here is that dissatisfied workers are poorly motivated and could contribute to quality probs. You can meaasure this by labour T/O or by employee surveys, performance reviews etc. What is interesting here is the requirement for motivation as this is TOTALLY western thinking. Japanese see employee motivation as an OUTPUT to good management practice, leadership, effective training and well designed processes. West see it as a process INPUT. Do you get the best from people by putting in specific actions to motivate them (whatever these are) or by providing the best environment, management training and tools for them to flourish?

I guess this could be a matter of perspective. One could look at good work environment, good management training and the like as "motivator stimulants" (although the Japanese might not call it that). Is the difference here really that significant?