Employee survey results show strengths and opportunities for continued improvement
The results of the 2011 Employee Survey have been compiled and the results show both strengths and challenges. Survey respondents had positive views about workplace cooperation, employee benefits and relationships with supervisors.
On the other hand, the survey showed that a large percentage of the workforce is very concerned about their future with the City. In addition, responding employees feel they are listened to, but don’t always feel encouraged to participate in decisions that affect their work. Employees also continue to have significant concerns about having enough people to get the work done.
One of the most noteworthy findings is that employees who saw action taken on issues identified from the 2009 survey reported significantly higher levels of engagement.
Here is a sampling of the Citywide survey findings.
Employee involvement
- 77 percent of survey respondents said part of their job is to take initiative to improve city services. However, only 47 percent said employees are encouraged to be innovative. Nonetheless, 40 percent of respondents said management makes use of employees’ ideas – a significant improvement from 32 percent in 2009.
Supervisors and performance feedback
- 69 percent of respondents said their immediate supervisor treats employees fairly.
- 64 percent said their immediate supervisor does a good job at managing their staff.
- 64 percent of respondents said their supervisors give them useful feedback on their job performance.
- 73 percent of employees reported they have had a performance appraisal in the last 12 months.
- 65 percent said their job performance is evaluated fairly.
Pay and benefits
- 72 percent of survey respondents said employee benefit plans meet their needs. This 2011 survey finding is up from the 2009 survey when 64 percent of respondents said benefit plans meet employee needs.
- 55 percent of survey respondents said their pay is competitive compared to people doing similar jobs in other organizations. Again, the 2011 result is higher than 2009 survey in which 50 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that their pay is competitive.
- 74 percent said the City supports employees in attaining health and wellness goals.
Recognition
- 50 percent of respondents said they receive meaningful job recognition.
- 46 percent said they feel valued as an employee.
Work support and work environment
- 76 percent of survey respondents said coworkers cooperate to get the job done.
- 33 percent said there are enough people to get the work done.
- 73 percent said that safety in the workplace is a high priority.
- 61 percent said they have access to the resources (e.g., equipment, information, materials, technology) needed to do their job effectively.
- 69 percent said their immediate supervisor clearly communicates expectations and treats employees fairly.
- 65 percent said the City makes it easy for people from diverse backgrounds to fit in and be accepted.
- 65 percent said they are treated with dignity and respect.
City overall and communications
- 67 percent of survey respondents indicate they can easily access the information they need to do their job.
- 43 percent said they are well informed about relevant departmental issues.
- Employees continue to be unsure about their future. 45 percent said they have confidence about the future of their department while 39 percent agreed they had a promising future with the City.
- 34 percent said City leadership shows concern for employee well-being and morale, a slight decrease from the 36 percent reported in 2009.
With the struggling economy, budget reductions, higher unemployment and ongoing budget challenges being faced at the state and federal levels, some of the concerns expressed by employees were expected.
A record 2,560 employees or 66 percent of the City workforce completed the survey which was conducted in late October and early November. The response rate exceeded the rates for 2009 (61 percent) and 2006 (63 percent). Survey questions sought employee opinions on topics such as leadership, communications, ethics, customer service, service quality, involvement and engagement.
Department heads and City leaders heard a summary of the survey’s major findings Jan. 18, and will soon begin formulating a citywide action plan to address the most pressing needs identified by the survey.
Throughout 2012, the cross-departmental Survey Response and Action Team comprised of representatives from every department will also be meeting to track progress on implementing action plans at the department level and sharing strategies and successes.
The survey results — citywide and for individual departments — can be viewed on http://citytalk/hr/engage/survey/WCMS1P-022914. If you have specific questions about your department’s results, contact your department’s Survey Champion.
Published Feb. 1, 2012