Privacy is essential
When collecting people’s details, health information and opinions, it’s important to make sure that distribution, collection methods and questions don’t identify individual respondents.
Once collected, handle and store survey information securely and only provide summarised or aggregated results prior to circulation throughout the organisation. Any disclosure of personal information without a person’s written consent is unethical and, in some cases, may be illegal.
Follow workplace ethics procedures
Workplaces may have to consider internal ethics processes prior to getting people involved in surveys and data collection.
Participation and subsequent data should only be used for the purpose it is intended and therefore only inform the creation of a tailored health and wellbeing program. Be clear with participants exactly how and where their data will be used.
Check with your human resources (HR) department or management team for input. HR will often be able to help you administer surveys within the organisation.
Participation is a personal choice
Make sure that the people’s right to choose to take part in the needs assessment stages of your program is protected and communicated. Take care that individuals do not feel alienated if they are unable to take part in some or all of the program activities.