Your voice matters: our new employee survey is here!
Your voice matters: our new employee survey is here!
We’re pleased to announce the launch of our 2026 employee survey. It’s a great opportunity for you and other colleagues to help shape the future of the council. And in doing so, you’ll help to support a local community organisation – read on to find out more!
The Council Leadership Team (CLT) is keen to hear from you. Your feedback isn’t just collected — it drives real change.
The survey, which takes place every two years, is now live and will stay open until 19 June 2026.
Quick, simple and worth your time
The survey is designed to be quick and easy to complete:
- Takes just 10–15 minutes
- Includes optional comment sections where you can expand on your views
For some frontline teams, managers will also provide paper copies to ensure everyone can take part.
Completely anonymous
You can share your honest views with confidence – no names or email addresses are requested.
At the end, you’ll be asked a few equality and diversity questions to help us ensure the council remains a fair and inclusive workplace. These responses are stored separately from your survey answers and will not be shared with managers.
If you work within East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, please provide your views by completing the council’s employee survey as well the separate iMatter survey.
What we’re asking about
This year’s survey reflects what you told us matters most. Questions focus on key themes such as:
- Workload and wellbeing
- Culture and working environment
- Tools, systems and ways of working
- Communication and leadership
- Career development
- Overall engagement
Comments often provide the most powerful insights for shaping change, so please let us know what you think in response to the open questions.
You’ll also see this question: “What one thing would you change about the council if you were Chief Executive?” This is a great chance to share your ideas for improvement. Your feedback is incredibly valuable. Our Chief Executive, Laurence, will personally respond to suggestions which are made.
What happens next?
You can see the questions and respond to the survey by clicking here: https://eastlothianconsultations.co.uk/policy-partnerships/3053a55f/
This isn’t a survey that disappears into a report — action will follow. For example, each Service Manager will be asked to identify three specific actions based on results for their teams. Progress will then be reviewed by the CLT every six months, with accountability and follow-through are built into the process
Make a difference while you take part
By completing the survey, you’ll also help support a great local cause. Participants can vote for one of four organisations, with £500 donated to the winner. This funding comes through Community Benefits from suppliers, meaning no cost to the council.
You can choose to support:
- Based in Musselburgh, the Bridges Project helps young people in East Lothian and Midlothian take their next steps in life, like getting back into school, finding a job or an apprenticeship, or getting the help they need
- East Lothian Foodbank provide emergency food and practical advice and support to local people in their most difficult moments
- The Amisfield Preservation Trust is set up to maintain and improve Amisfield Walled Garden, to the east of Haddington, for the benefit of the local community and visitors more generally, and helping to enhance the skills and life outcomes of its volunteers
- Based in Prestonpans, the Pennypit Community Development Trust aims to improve health and wellbeing for those most in need in the local area through provision of a range of services.
Need help or looking for further information?
If you have any questions about the survey or want to find out more, please email: organisationaldevelopment@eastlothian.gov.uk