15 Employee 1:1 Questions to Boost Engagement and Retention

Why employee check-ins matter in 2025

📊 Companies that prioritize regular feedback and performance conversations see up to 31% lower turnover rates compared to those that don’t. That’s because employee check-ins give managers a direct line to how their people are feeling — and provide employees with the support and recognition they need to thrive.

But giving or receiving constructive feedback isn’t always easy. For employees, it can feel uncomfortable to share openly with a manager. For leaders, hearing tough feedback about the company can sting.

The good news? When structured well, employee check-ins don’t have to be awkward. Instead, they can become one of the most valuable tools for building trust, improving culture, and keeping teams aligned — especially in modern hybrid and remote-first workplaces.

How Trainual runs employee check-ins

At Trainual, we conduct employee check-ins every 90 days to get a pulse on how people feel about their role, team, and the company overall.

During these one-on-one conversations, we cover everything from compensation and benefits to communication and culture. Employees rate over 20 questions on a scale of one to five, with room to provide more detailed suggestions and feedback.

This approach allows us to:

• Identify issues early before they become bigger problems.
• Collect new ideas that can be implemented company-wide (like our unlimited PTO policy, which came directly from employee feedback).
• Build transparency and trust between employees and managers.

How to encourage honest feedback

Without the shield of anonymity, employees might hesitate to share constructive feedback. But check-ins are most valuable when they’re candid. Managers can nurture an open dialogue by:

• Setting a judgment-free tone at the start of each check-in.
• Reminding employees that their input drives real change.
• Following up on past feedback to show it’s taken seriously.

This openness leads to stronger collaboration, more engaged employees, and innovative improvements that benefit the entire company.

✨ Make every check-in count — grab our Employee 1:1 Template to spark open, honest conversations with your team.

15 must-ask employee check-in questions

If you’re building your own quarterly check-in scorecard, here are 15 questions every manager should ask — regardless of tenure, title, or team.

Your fit within the company

1. I have opportunities to bond with and learn from other team members.
2. I represent the values our company stands for.
3. This company will be a good fit for me long-term.

Your role on the team

4. I enjoy my current role in the company.
5. I’m learning new things and growing.
6. I feel appropriately challenged.
7. My workload is appropriate for me to handle.

Your team lead or manager

8. My manager is accessible and approachable.
9. I have a clear sense of what’s expected of me each week.
10. My ideas are thoughtfully considered and acted upon.
11. I’m managed appropriately (not too much, not too little).

Your compensation and benefits

12. The company provides me the right amount of benefits.
13. I have a good work/life balance.
14. I have the autonomy and flexibility that I need.
15. I feel fairly compensated for the job I’m performing in this market.

Tips for successful employee check-ins

• Be consistent: Quarterly check-ins strike the right balance between regular feedback and long-term reflection.
• Keep it two-sided: Give employees the chance to ask questions and share their perspective.
• Act on insights: Feedback is only valuable if it leads to action. Share results and follow up.
• Document everything: Store responses in one place (like Trainual!) so progress can be tracked over time.

Employee check-ins vs. performance reviews

Check-ins aren’t the same as annual performance reviews. While reviews focus on past performance and compensation decisions, check-ins are forward-looking. They focus on improving culture, building trust, and ensuring employees feel supported in real time.

FAQs about employee check-ins

What is an employee check-in?
An employee check-in is a structured one-on-one conversation between an employee and their manager to discuss satisfaction, workload, communication, and overall engagement.

How often should you do employee check-ins?
Most companies benefit from quarterly check-ins, but some opt for monthly or bi-annual depending on team size and culture.

What’s the difference between an employee survey and a check-in?
Surveys collect broad insights across the company, while check-ins allow for deeper, one-on-one discussions that strengthen relationships and provide actionable feedback.

Final thoughts

Employee check-ins are no longer a “nice-to-have” — they’re essential for creating a healthy workplace, retaining top talent, and driving innovation. By asking the right questions and fostering open communication, companies can build a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to grow.

👉 Want to start running effective check-ins? Use Trainual’s templates to document processes, gather feedback, and keep your team aligned every step of the way.