Was I right to give honest feedback on workplace 'wellbeing' app

[Rafting2022]

My workplace recently introduced an app where you answer 5 questions every 2 weeks - 1 on how you're feeling in general and the other 4 about having the right tools, support etc to perform your role.

Most times I give top scores as I'm generally happy in my job, like the people I work with, the work is interesting and I feel valued by customers.

However, I rarely get feedback from my manager and when I do, it only seems to be when something has gone wrong (not usually in my control), ignoring all the opportunities to comment on things that I do well and go above and beyond to do, not to mention all the great feedback I regularly get from customers.

I have pointed this out twice now on the fortnightly check-in, the first time he didn't notice my comment and the second time (today) he said we'll discuss tomorrow - we'll see if that happens.

I believe that I worded my feedback in a positive way - that it would be nice to have some balance in future - acknowledge the things that have gone well in the team and work together where improvements can be made.

However, I now feel as though it would have been better to say nothing - I think it's just his management style/lack of leadership experience and I would be better focusing on the positive aspects of the role than getting frustrated about something he's not necessarily capable of changing.

Was I right to say something?

I think you were right to bring it up, and I hope it’s not just your line manager that gets to see the comments.

Of course not. You are expected to not say anything, never complain and keep your head down in order to progress in many organisations. These feedbacks are tick box system. In all honesty if you have done it in a positive way I wouldn’t worry

As I get older I find myself being much more honest in these surveys, so I think you did the right thing. How will they know what to improve if no-one tells the truth? This is a development opportunity for your manager, recognition for your achievements is important and he should be providing that.

Well, he gives you critical feedback, why shouldn't you in return if that's the norm he's chosen to set?

You don't sound like you've said anything horrendous anyway. "We'll discuss it tomorrow" isn't ominous, it's just an acknowledgement.

Thank you. I don’t think that the level above him get to see the actual comments but I think it does flag something up to them (the ‘red’ score must trigger an alert). One of the directors rang me this morning to say he’d had a message from me via the app so I’m guessing it was flagged to all 3 directors.

On the one hand I agree with the poster that said it’s purely a tickbox exercise - the company is seen to care about staff well-being. On the other hand I think what’s the point of having it if I can’t be honest. And then at the end of the day I think just keep my head down, focus on the good points instead of getting frustrated by things that probably won’t change!

Oh and I didn’t think there was anything ominous about ‘we’ll discuss it tomorrow’, more that tomorrow never comes in this type of scenario!

I manage these kinds of surveys at work - written responses like that would always get circulated to the senior leadership team and the direct manger as points of development. Things won't improve unless you flag them so you were 100% right to do so

I think that’s a good way of looking at it that it’s a development point for my manager. I can’t imagine not commenting to a staff member ‘well done on that great feedback you received from customer X’ and ignoring it every time - it’s bizarre!