Employer Hiring Tips- Part Six- Why Great Employers Seek Feedback—and Act on It!

By: Jimmy Smith

In today's fast-paced, ever-evolving workplace, one of the most powerful tools a leader can leverage is also one of the most overlooked: employee feedback. While many organizations claim to value open communication, far fewer consistently ask for input, listen with intent, and make meaningful changes based on what they hear.

Great employers understand that feedback isn’t just about checking a box on an employee engagement survey. It’s a continuous loop of dialogue, trust, and action that strengthens culture, boosts performance, and drives innovation. 

The Value of Feedback from the Front Lines 
Employees are on the front lines of your business every day. They experience your systems, customers, and internal operations in a way leadership rarely can. As a result, their insights are often the key to identifying inefficiencies, improving workflows, and understanding what’s working—and what’s not. 

When companies take time to seek out employee feedback regularly, they tap into a wellspring of knowledge that can guide better decisions. Whether it's improving team communication, refining a product, or adjusting a policy, employee input helps leaders make choices that are both strategic and grounded in reality. 

Creating a Culture Where Feedback Flows 
Gathering feedback isn’t just about sending out an annual survey. It’s about building a culture where employees feel psychologically safe to share honest opinions without fear of retaliation. This starts with leadership modeling vulnerability—openly admitting when something isn’t working, asking for suggestions, and acting on the responses. 

Organizations that foster this kind of environment often adopt a few key practices: 

• Open-door policies that are more than just symbolic. Leaders make time to actively listen. 
• Regular pulse surveys that measure employee sentiment in real time. 
• Team huddles or town halls where ideas and concerns are shared freely. 
• Feedback platforms that allow anonymous input to encourage candor.  

Listening Is Only Half the Equation 
While seeking feedback is crucial, it's only effective when followed by meaningful action. Unfortunately, many employees have grown skeptical of giving input because they’ve seen it lead nowhere. When feedback is gathered but ignored, trust erodes, morale suffers, and future participation dwindles. 

Employers who stand out don’t just collect data—they close the loop. They communicate what was heard, explain what actions will (or won’t) be taken and why, and keep employees updated on progress. Even when a suggestion can’t be implemented, explaining the reasoning behind the decision shows respect and transparency. 

Turning Feedback into a Strategic Advantage 
Listening to your employees can do more than improve morale—it can sharpen your competitive edge. Companies that are responsive to feedback tend to: 

• Innovate faster. Frontline feedback often highlights customer pain points and internal inefficiencies that, when resolved, create space for creativity and better solutions. 
• Retain top talent. Employees who feel valued and included in decision-making are far more likely to stay. 
• Build stronger teams. Open feedback cultivates trust and collaboration, leading to healthier workplace dynamics. 

In essence, feedback is a form of internal intelligence. Treating it with the same respect as customer insights or market data can elevate how your organization operates from the inside out. 

Making It Work: A Practical Framework 
If you’re an employer ready to take employee feedback seriously, here’s a simple framework to follow: 

• Ask with purpose. Be clear about what you're seeking input on and why. 
• Listen with empathy. Make space for real dialogue—not just data collection. 
• Act decisively. Prioritize changes that matter and communicate them clearly. 
• Follow up often. Keep the loop going so employees see the lasting impact of their voice.  

Final Thoughts 
The best employers don't have all the answers—they know the people who do. By creating systems that encourage feedback and committing to act on it, organizations build cultures of mutual respect, resilience, and growth. In an age where employee experience directly influences customer experience and business outcomes, listening has never been more valuable—or more necessary. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being open, responsive, and willing to evolve. That’s what sets great employers apart. 

Anderson|Biro Staffing is a full-service staffing firm focused on the office professional and light industrial space. We align professionals with each client's individual needs offering quality staffing solutions for temporary, temp-to-hire, direct-hire, onsite partnerships and payrolling services. Our candidates are screened for specific industry experience, outstanding track records, and values that complement your mission and culture. Our motto here is Powerful Teams...Practical Strategies® and clients appreciate our flexible, realistic approach to doing business and delivering effective results.