Big take-up for Staff Survey
Published: 26 March 2014
Nearly a quarter of University staff have completed the 2014 Staff Survey during its first week. More than eight hundred people completed the independent questionnaire in the first 24 hours following its launch. Interview with Capita's David Evans, the man responsible for maintaining the confidentiality and anonymity of the survey.
More than eight hundred members of staff completed their online 2014 Staff Survey questionnaire in the first 24 hours following its launch last week. As of this morning (Monday 31 March) nearly a quarter of the University staff had taken part. So far more than £1300 has been raised for the University charities listed on the questionnaire.
This year's survey is being conducted independently of the University by Capita Surveys and Research. Supported by the University’s trades unions, the detailed questionnaire is aimed at seeking the views of ALL staff and will guarantee respondents’ total anonymity. The University is being given only general information about response rates across the campuses, but NO information from individual survey responses.
We have been talking to Capita's Research Consultant, David Evans.
Staff began receiving the email which gives details of how to access and complete the survey on Monday 24 March. There's an option of completing the survey electronically and online...or by requesting a hard-copy paper version. In both cases, the survey will be conducted under the terms of the Data Protection Act and in line with the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct.
If you don't think you have received the Capita email, or perhaps mistook it for spam, check your mail folders for "Surveys, Staff". If you have any problems accessing the Capita website, or would like to fill in the survey over the telephone, please contact Capita Surveys & Research on 0800 5873115. If you wish to verify that the email is genuine, please contact Eileen Rae, PA to Director of HR, on 0141 330 4274 or by e-mail eileen.rae@glasgow.ac.uk
The survey is detailed and with options to make comments. It is likely to take about 15 minutes to complete. Staff will be free to do this in work time. No one in the University will be allowed access to the raw data or to any of the completed questionnaires. The survey will run for five weeks, closing on Friday 25 April.
The survey covers a wide range of topics linked to working life at the University of Glasgow. They include:
- work/life balance
- job satisfaction
- performance and development review (P&DR)
- pay and conditions
- communications
The staff surveys conducted by the University in 2012 and 2009 both got a 33% response rate. It is hoped there will be a much better return this year. In 2012, overall staff satisfaction had dropped from 81% to 79%. There was a dip in workplace enjoyment but a big improvement in team communications.
Why take the survey? Ask Dr Patrick Harkness - School of Engineering.
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 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.
You can find out more about the 2014 Staff Survey here:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/staff/2014staffsurvey/
And you can send questions or comments to: communications@glasgow.ac.uk
First published: 26 March 2014
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