Working for Queensland anonymity and confidentiality
Working for Queensland survey responses are protected by the Information Privacy Act 2009. Survey responses are strictly confidential, and no identifying information is published or released.
No one from the Queensland Government can view individual survey responses. Survey responses are submitted directly to Qualtrics and managed by Ipsos. Results are reported for groups of employees, not individuals.
The survey is designed to protect participant anonymity. Survey results are not shown for workgroups or demographic groups where fewer than 10 responses have been received. These safeguards help prevent individuals from being identified through survey reporting.
Reporting for small groups
To protect privacy, results are not reported for workgroups with fewer than 10 responses. Where fewer than 10 people respond within a workgroup, the data is combined with results from a higher level in the organisational hierarchy. Demographic groups, such as age or gender groups, are also excluded from reporting where fewer than 10 responses have been received.
How survey information is managed
The Working for Queensland survey is delivered in partnership with Qualtrics and Ipsos. Qualtrics provides the survey platform and Ipsos manages survey implementation and analysis. Survey responses are submitted directly to Qualtrics and managed by Ipsos.
Qualtrics stores survey data in a secure Australian server environment located in Sydney. Qualtrics and Ipsos access survey data to manage the survey and prepare reporting. Both organisations are contractually required to comply with the privacy principles contained in the Information Privacy Act 2009 and operate under strict confidentiality requirements.
Individual survey responses are not accessible to Queensland Government employees.
Why demographic information is collected
Demographic information helps organisations understand whether different groups of employees have different workplace experiences. This information can help identify:
- differences between employee groups
- areas where additional support may be needed
- whether workplace initiatives are working
- opportunities to improve employee experience.
Demographic information is used to inform workforce strategies, reporting and improvement initiatives. It is not used to assess individual employees.
Providing demographic information helps create a more complete picture of employee experiences across the workforce. It allows organisations to understand trends, compare experiences between groups and evaluate whether workplace initiatives are improving outcomes. Without demographic information, it can be more difficult to identify trends and target improvements effectively.
All questions in the survey, including demographic questions, are voluntary. Participants can choose to skip any question.
Free text comments
Some agencies choose to include a free text question in the survey. This question is only available in the online survey and is collected separately from other survey responses.
Free text comments are sent directly and unedited to the agency's Chief Executive Officer or Director-General. They are treated with respect, sensitivity and confidentiality.
Some larger agencies may choose to organise free text comments by organisational structure so that feedback can be used to support workplace improvements and inform local action.
To help protect privacy, participants should not include personal information about themselves or others in their comments, such as names, ages or locations.
Free text comments are not made available at workgroup level where fewer than 50 responses have been received. This threshold helps protect anonymity and prevent individuals from being identified through their comments.
How survey results are used
Survey results help organisations understand employee experiences and identify opportunities for improvement across the workforce.
Results may be used to:
- inform workforce strategies, including diversity and inclusion initiatives, flexible work approaches and employee wellbeing programs
- support reporting and analysis
- identify workforce trends
- improve workplace culture
- strengthen organisational capability and performance
- guide workplace and leadership initiatives.
The information collected through the survey helps organisations and the Queensland Government understand what is working well and where improvements may be needed.
Further information
Contact the Public Sector Commission at workingforqldsurvey@psc.qld.gov.au.