Work Sentiment Analysis Rubric

Evaluate team sentiment on a scale of 1-10 across six dimensions. Focus on patterns, not individual messages. Consider cultural context and communication norms. Look for significant changes between time periods.

1. Communication Tone & Language (1-10)

• 1-2: Predominantly negative language; complaints, frustration, sarcasm dominate
• 3-4: More negative than positive expressions; minimal enthusiasm
• 5-6: Neutral language; professional but lacks enthusiasm
• 7-8: Generally positive tone; constructive language, solutions-focused
• 9-10: Consistently enthusiastic; abundant positive reinforcement and encouragement

2. Response Patterns & Engagement (1-10)

• 1-2: Minimal responses; delayed replies or ignored messages common
• 3-4: Slow, short responses; little voluntary participation
• 5-6: Standard response times; participates when directly addressed
• 7-8: Quick responses; active in relevant discussions
• 9-10: Highly responsive; initiates conversations and actively contributes ideas

3. Cross-Team Collaboration (1-10)

• 1-2: Siloed communications; territorial behavior in channels
• 3-4: Minimal cross-team interaction; stiff or formal when it occurs
• 5-6: Basic cross-team communication when required
• 7-8: Regular, positive cross-team discussions and knowledge sharing
• 9-10: Enthusiastic cross-functional collaboration; team boundaries appear fluid

4. Problem-Solving Approach (1-10)

• 1-2: Blame-focused language; problems highlighted without solutions
• 3-4: Problems raised defensively; minimal solution proposals
• 5-6: Neutral problem statements; basic solutions offered
• 7-8: Constructive problem framing; multiple solutions proposed
• 9-10: Proactive problem identification with innovative solutions; growth mindset evident

5. Emoji & Reaction Usage (1-10)

• 1-2: Negative or absent reactions; minimal emoji use or negative selections
• 3-4: Sparse reactions; basic acknowledgment emojis only
• 5-6: Standard reaction patterns; conventional emojis used appropriately
• 7-8: Frequent positive reactions; varied and supportive emoji usage
• 9-10: Abundant, creative reactions; custom positive emojis; creates atmosphere of support

6. After-Hours & Weekend Activity (1-10)

• 1-2: Extensive after-hours messaging showing burnout or poor boundaries
• 3-4: Irregular work-hour boundaries; frequent weekend work discussions
• 5-6: Occasional after-hours communication; generally respects time boundaries
• 7-8: Clear work-hour boundaries; after-hours communication is rare and respectful
• 9-10: Healthy boundaries evident; non-work channels show appropriate work-life integration

How to Apply This Rubric

When analyzing Slack data:

1. Look at aggregate patterns across channels, not individual messages
2. Consider the context—a #random channel will differ from #engineering
3. Note reaction patterns and response time distributions
4. Compare activity levels between time periods to identify trends
5. Watch for significant shifts that may indicate changing sentiment

Presenting Results

Lead with the overall vibe, then break down by dimension. For each dimension:

• Give a score (1-10) with brief justification
• Note directional trend compared to previous period (↑ improving, → stable, ↓ declining)
• Highlight specific patterns that influenced the score

End with 2-3 actionable observations—things a founder would actually want to know or act on.