Some of the most effective ways to overcome resistance and suspicion  to a staff survey and to maximise engagement and participation, involves the following:

Work through stakeholder issues (email us for a "Guide to Engaging Your Organisation in a Staff Survey")  

Bring in an objective third party, an external survey provider, to administer the survey  

Send email reminders targeted to areas with low response rates, based on periodic updates during  the survey period.

Communicate facts about the staff survey process, anonymity, confidentiality and how demographics questions are used  

Awareness campaigns using as many communication channels as possible (e.g. posters, websites, e-bulletins, staff magazines, newsletters, message from CEO, DVD, staff forums, awareness sessions etc)  

Informing staff of what will happen after the staff survey

Demonstrating explicit support from senior management (e.g. message from champion/sponsor)

You will also need to:

Map the organisational structure according to the levels of reports that are being sought