Editor's Note: We appreciate your time

I stopped at a grocery store on my way home from work yesterday and, as often happens, the checker circled a web address at the bottom of my receipt and encouraged me to visit the site and fill out a survey. Her demeanor was that of a person who had almost no hope that I’d comply but was trying anyway. It was understandable – I know many people who find these requests irksome.

I take a different view. I frequently fill out surveys because, as the editor of a magazine, I know how valuable the data can be.

As you’ve likely noticed, Safety+Health emails various surveys throughout the year. Every time we send one out, we’re keenly aware that we’re asking you to take time away from your job. But the information you provide is extremely useful.

Earlier this year, the National Safety Council sent out a survey asking S+H subscribers to rate various aspects of the magazine’s content. Another survey, emailed a couple of months ago, sought to learn about your reading habits in regard to print versus online, etc. We’re using the results of both surveys to plan our editorial strategy.

By participating in these surveys, you’re helping us improve. The more feedback we receive on what you want or don’t want to see in the magazine, the more we can accommodate your preferences. The more respondents we have to our annual Job Outlook and Salary Surveys, the more accurate a picture the results will present.

The Salary Survey is on my mind because – guess what? – we’re getting ready to email it to you. I hope you’ll fill it out. (Results will be published in the November issue of S+H.) And although this is a phrase that gets used a lot, I couldn’t mean it more: We appreciate your time.

The opinions expressed in “Editor’s Note” do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.