Employee Surveys - Really Useful?

[Tan]

I used to work in Human Resources for a manufacturing plant. I brought up the idea to distribute employee satisfaction surveys many times to my superiors. This was triggered by a Violence in the Workplace project that I completed (which also included surveys). In this position I realized that LISTENING and AVAILABILITY are the only way that positive changes can occur to turn around a toxic workplace. No matter how high up you are in the company, you have to remember where you started, unlike many of the managers I've dealt with. Surveys are only useful if the people evaluating them put themselves in the workers position and actually do something positive with the results. Even if its as small as posting the results, showing appreciation of employee participation or offering incentives.
I am no longer with this company for 'lack of morale' reasons.

Thanks for letting me vent...