Staff Surveys – A Window Into Wellness
Gathering data from ongoing staff surveys is an excellent way to ensure an organisation is tracking appropriately – it is also a window into the wellness of the operation. My own institution has been collecting staff data each trimester since T2, 2016. The exercise has provided us with a longitudinal study that is most useful and informative.
Format
There are 7 questions posed each trimester (via Survey Monkey) providing reliable and comparative data. The 7 questions are –
|
Q1 |
You are provided with the tools and resources to do your job well |
|
Q2 |
Your job requirements are clearly communicated and goals and strategies are clearly defined |
|
Q3 |
You feel encouraged to come up with new and better ways of doing things |
|
Q4 |
Your supervisor visibly demonstrates a commitment to quality |
|
Q5 |
You are satisfied with the level of involvement in decisions that directly affect your work |
|
Q6 |
UBSS does a good job of keeping employees informed about matters affecting their work |
|
Q7 |
Overall, you are satisfied with your job? |
Overview of Outcomes -
|
T2, 2016 |
4.09 |
|
T3, 2016 |
4.26 |
|
T1, 2017 |
4.80 |
|
T2, 2017 |
4.65 |
|
T3, 2017 |
4.72 |
|
T1, 2018 |
4.77 |
|
T2, 2018 |
4.67 |
|
T3, 2018 |
4.69 |
|
T1, 2019 |
4.70 |
|
T2, 2019 |
4.61 |
|
T3, 2019 |
4.43 |
|
T2, 2020 |
4.16 |
|
T3, 2020 |
4.14 |
|
T1, 2021 |
4.30 |
|
T2, 2021 |
4.38 |
|
T3, 2021 |
4.38 |
|
T1, 2022 |
4.22 |
|
T2, 2022 |
4.34 |
|
T3, 2022 |
4.68 |
|
T1, 2023 |
4.54 |
|
T2, 2023 |
4.16 |
|
T3, 2023 |
4.02 |
|
T1, 2024 |
4.16 |
|
Overall |
4.24/5 |
The consistency (longitudinally) has been impressive and reassuring. In more recent times we are able to distinguish between our three campuses – Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide – and use this information to further develop and enhance activity at each.
In addition to the quantitative aspect of the survey – staff are asked two simple qualitative questions – which provide further insight into the key issues that staff would like addressed. Every attempt is made to deal with the issues (where feasible).
What To Do With The Information Gathered
Once the data is gathered each trimester, we are able to recognise our strengths and weaknesses in this space (staff wellness) and act accordingly.
The qualitative data is examined very carefully and adjustments are made where a change is possible and appropriate.
Emeritus Professor Greg Whateley is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (UBSS) and Chief Executive Officer (GCA)
