We’ve been over the purpose of, benefits of, and best practices for employee surveys. One of the best ways to make your surveys as impactful and effective as possible is having a focused theme—too broad, and you won’t be able to drill down into specific feedback and strategies.

For 2026, consider a company culture employee survey to learn how employees are experiencing the workplace. These questions will help you learn things like:

• Do employees feel invested at work?
• Do they feel like they belong?
• Do they have friends at work?
• Are they happy with the amount of top-down communication?
• Have there been any day-to-day interactions they’re unhappy with?

For a generalized list of employee survey questions, click here. For culture-specific questions, read on.

Why care about measuring and improving company culture?

Not only can a rewarding, motivating company culture be a differentiator for your company, it also acts as a force multiplier, exponentially improving the business outcomes you care about.

According to Gallup, a strong company culture leads to:

• 50-point increase in employee engagement over a three-year period
• 25% growth in workforce over a three-year period
• 85% net profit increase over a five-year period
• 138% improvement in patronage over a five-year period

Good culture is a slow-burning transformation that attracts the best talent and brings the best out in your people.

22 employee survey questions about company culture

Purpose-driven work questions

1. Do you feel connected to our company values?
2. Are the company values reflected in our policies, practices, and behaviors?
3. Do you see the impact your work has on the success of the company?
4. Are you motivated by the mission of the company?

DEI and belonging questions

5. Do you feel safe being yourself at work?
6. How comfortable are you expressing your opinions at work?
7. Do you feel like you have equal opportunities to succeed here?

Communication and transparency questions

8. How well does your manager communicate updates, goals, and expectations?
9. Are you comfortable approaching leadership with questions?
10. How would you rate the transparency of high-level decisions?

Employee wellness questions

11. How is your work/life balance?
12. How often do you feel stressed or burned out in your role?
13. Do you feel comfortable requesting time off when you need it?

Employee recognition questions

14. Do you feel recognized for your hard work?
15. How satisfied are you with the company gifts or rewards you’ve received?

Management and work questions

16. Do you feel empowered to perform your best?
17. Do you feel invested in the work you do?
18. Does your manager and the work environment encourage creativity?
19. Does your manager meet your work needs?
20. Do you feel trusted or micromanaged?

General culture questions

21. What do you like the most about our company culture?
22. What would you like to see improve in our company culture?

Keep your culture from flatlining

An employee survey is the best solution for measuring the pulse of your people and learning how they feel about your company culture. Considering your culture influences all aspects of the employee experience, it’s vital to get it right.

For help planning an employee survey that ties directly into your recognition, rewards, and incentive program, contact the Awardco team.