MyGlasgow News

The early results from the 2014 Staff Survey suggest that an overwhelming number of staff believe the University of Glasgow is a good place to work: 90% of the respondents ‘agreed’ or ‘tended to agree’. The figure is higher than the median of 88% for all HEIs surveyed between 2012 and this year.

When compared as an ‘Employer of Choice’ to 51 other Universities also surveyed in the last two years, Glasgow has entered the top twenty.

For 'Employer of Choice' the University was ranked 33rd out of 337 public and private sector organisations

The University of Glasgow staff survey was conducted over a five week period from 24 March. For the first time it was conducted by an independent research company, Capita Research and Surveys, and supported by the University’s trades unions.

Sixty per cent of the University’s staff (3,434) took part, nearly double the response rate in 2009 and 2012.  91% of respondents reported they felt trusted to do their job; 91% feel safe and secure in their working environment and 90% generally enjoy their work.

Inevitably, there are a few areas in which the University compares less favourably in comparative HEI benchmark analysis. Over half of those responding did not feel valued by the University (51%) and 72% suggested they had put in a lot of extra time to meet the demands of their workload over the past 12 months, with 64% often worrying about work outside their working hours. 

Of those responding with an either way opinion, 64% have a perception that the Senior Management Team does not listen to and respond to staff views.

Christine Barr, Director of Human Resources, said: “In the six weeks since the survey closed Capita have been checking the data and starting the work of analysis.  There is still a lot of study and analysis to be conducted, but the headline results are very encouraging.”

“The Senior Management Group has had a report on the initial findings, but a more detailed analysis of the results will be presented later in the summer. Then the University will set about the task of addressing areas of concern and presenting to the staff, and the trade unions, a programme of action to improve our performance where it is necessary. We have a great deal more work to do. We will also be working with the trade unions who supported the survey process from the early stages.

“The University was also compared to other organisations in a variety of sectors surveyed by Capita in 2012/13 and 2013/14 in relation to being an Employer of Choice.  We were ranked 33rd out of 337 organisations in the public and private sectors. I think we can be quite proud about that.”

The initial staff survey findings will be one of the topics to be discussed at the Campus Conversation staff event being held on 17 June in the Sir Charles Wilson building. Places are still available and you can register at MyGlasgow Staff.

The staff survey covered a wide range of topics linked to working life at the University of Glasgow. They included:

• work/life balance
• job satisfaction
• performance and development review (P&DR)
• pay and conditions
• communications

Those who took part raised £3,355 for the three, nominated University charities. Since the last survey in 2012, the University’s policy on Management of Stress in the Workplace has been reviewed, revised and published, with new guidance on local risk assessments for stress.

The Employee Assistance Programme, through which staff can access a variety of counselling services, is also regularly reviewed, and consideration is currently being given to alternative mechanisms for supporting staff experiencing difficult situations.

The University has taken steps to have a number of staff within the Staff Development, HR and Health, Safety & Wellbeing services trained to deliver a variety of courses designed to raise awareness of workplace stress, help those with staff manage stress appropriately and develop happier, more resilient employees. Stress Management is now an integral part of First Line Management training and induction for managers that are new to the organisation.

Where concern was expressed over the 2012 survey results relating to manager and peer support, a number of workshops and away days were facilitated by members of the Staff Development and HS&W Services, with input from independent consultants. This work is still ongoing in some areas and will continue as required.

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First published: 6 June 2014