In the not-for-profit (NFP) sector, where mission-driven work is at the heart of everything, organisational culture and employee experience form the foundation of success. For over two decades, Pathways Australia has worked alongside community service organisations with one clear mission—helping you achieve yours. We know that understanding your people is not just a metric, it’s a catalyst for change.
Within a For-Purpose organisation, people are your most valuable asset and sometimes your most significant risk. Employees who feel aligned, valued, and connected tend to go above and beyond, boosting organisational culture, productivity, innovation, and retention. However, disengaged or overlooked employees can quietly disengage, burn out, create unsettled environments, become unproductive or leave altogether.
The problem is that the majority of leaders don’t know how their employees feel. In the absence of factual external and suitable understanding, assumptions often incorrectly fill the void.
That’s why an increasing number of NFP organisations are choosing to invest in Employee Experience Surveys. Far from being “nice-to-have” extras, employee experience surveys are powerful, data-driven tools that shape culture, boost retention, and inform better decision-making. In a sector where resources are limited and people are your greatest asset, this is an investment that delivers tangible returns.
What Changes When You Have the Full Picture
Clarity in Year One. Transformation in Year Two.
Consider one of our recent clients. In 2024, this mid-sized organisation undertook their first Employee Experience Survey. The process uncovered insights they hadn’t seen before. While headline engagement results appeared healthy, the deeper analysis told a different story, highlighting areas that needed focused attention, including alignment to purpose, opportunities for professional growth, and the effectiveness of internal communication.
With evidence-based results in hand, leadership no longer had to speculate about what might improve the employee experience. The survey presented a clear view of how staff felt across four key organisational performance measures, further broken down into 11 distinct experience categories. This structure made it easy to identify patterns, spotlight what was working well, and prioritise areas for action.
And this is where the Employee Experience Survey results speak for themselves.
By 2025—just 12 months after putting targeted action plans in place—this organisation saw a remarkable lift in their scores across the board.
Overall employee experience surged from 63% to 85%.
This wasn’t the result of luck or coincidence. It was the outcome of a deliberate, strategic approach—listening to their people, implementing the tailored recommendations we provided, and embedding employee experience as a core organisational priority.
Why Employee Experience Should Be a Priority
If you’re still wondering whether it’s worth the focus, consider this:
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Organisations that put employee experience at the centre experience 59% lower turnover in industries where attrition is typically high.
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58% of employees say they wish their employer asked for their feedback through regular engagement surveys.
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91% of employees who enjoy a consistent, high-quality workplace experience report significantly higher engagement levels.
For not-for-profits, these figures aren’t just statistics—they represent real consequences for mission delivery. Losing skilled people drains already limited budgets, disrupts service delivery, and impacts the consistency of support provided to communities.
When teams feel disengaged, the effects ripple through the organisation—morale drops, collaboration suffers, and innovation slows.
That’s where a well-designed Employee Experience Survey makes a difference. Pathways Australia’s Your Say Survey, built specifically for NFPs, provides:
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Reliable, evidence-based data – underpinned by robust methodology and deep sector knowledge
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Clear visibility – pinpoint what’s working well and where improvement is needed across key KPIs such as Engagement, Belonging, Progress, and Connection
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Practical, tailored actions – so results lead directly to meaningful change
Investing in employee experience is not just about improving the workplace—it’s about protecting and amplifying the impact of your mission.
Talk to our dedicated team of Survey Consultants today to discover how an Employee Experience Survey can help you build a stronger, more engaged organisation.
