If Staff Surveys Are Anonymous, Why Aren't Staff Honest?

Schools regularly ask staff to complete anonymous surveys.

The assumption is that anonymity will produce honesty. But hiding somebody’s name is not the same as creating trust.

Anonymity and trust are different

A survey platform may remove a respondent’s name. That does not mean the employee believes their response cannot be recognised.

Details about a department, incident or working relationship may still make them identifiable.