Results from ESS 2022 are ready

The 2022 results from the Employee Satisfaction Survey – also known as ESS – show both positive development and potential for improvements in certain areas.

“It is generally looking pretty good.”

So says Jan Verhoek, Executive Vice President HR, when he sums up the results from the satisfaction survey among all of JYSK’s 22,000 employees, of which 94 percent have participated.

The response rate has especially gone up in the former DÄNISCHES BETTENLAGER (DBL) countries, where it has more than double since the last survey in 2018.

“I see ESS as a gift – first and foremost for the individual employee, who has used their right and duty to speak up, which is an important part of JYSK’s values. But also for our managers on all levels, who now have an obligation to involve the employees in their teams to improve satisfaction even more,” says Jan.

Results must be used

More than 90 percent of JYSK’s stores now have ESS results for their own team. The rest should relate to the results at the district level.

Also in distribution centres and offices, where JYSK employs many people, the results should be put to good use. Especially the distribution centres have achieved positive results in most areas.

The positive results should be used to become even better, and the less good results should be converted into concrete improvements. For instance by getting help and inspiration from the teams and managers, who are doing very well.

Satisfaction with most things

Overall, satisfaction is high on most parametres in the survey. That especially includes the general job happiness, the evaluation of direct managers, and the loyalty towards JYSK.

“Of course there are differences, when we look closer at the numbers and dive into the individual teams. But the overall impression is that we are above average, and in some places at a high level, when we compare with numbers from other companies via Ennova, who has handled the survey,” says Jan and elaborates:

“The former JYSK Nordic countries have maintained the very high level from the last survey, even with some improvements, and the former DBL countries are showing a good development in areas such as management, JYSK’s values and cooperation.”

The one area that needs special attention is working processes in the former DBL countries. Here are the lowest scores in the entire survey.

“After the merger of DÄNISCHES BETTENLAGER and JYSK Nordic, there are naturally enough a lot of new ways of working, which everyone needs to adjust to. When all stores are upgraded to the 3.0 concept, and everybody needs to use MYJYSK for task management, it takes some adjustment and practice. The survey clearly shows that we can improve on that,” says Jan.

Expectation for improvements

Despite the challenges, Jan remains optimistic about the future. As something new, employees in the former DBL countries were also asked about their attitude towards the merger with JYSK Nordic.

“Almost 80 percent of employees respond that they see the merger as something positive, and as many respond that they are actively supporting the work. That shows a good respect for all the change that have taken place, and that is why I expect our coming initiatives to improve the result in these areas in 2024,” says Jan.

Before then, the task is now to convert the 2022 results into improvements at all levels in JYSK.