UniSA's Staff Survey 2008
UniSA conducted its fourth Staff Attitude Survey in March and April 2008.
The following is the Vice Chancellor's email to all staff summarising the results of the survey. For those interested in looking at more of the results a short PowerPoint presentation is available for download at the base of this webpage. Also, on overview of the results from the four surveys and how the University has responded to them is outlined below.
If you are interested in the results from your local work area contact your Head of School, Director of Unit or Research Institute.
From: Peter Hoj
Sent: Tuesday, 8 July 2008 12:56 PM
To: UniSA-All Staff
Subject: Outcomes of the 2008 Staff Attitude Survey
Colleagues
I have received the results of the 2008 UniSA Staff Attitude Survey. This
was the fourth survey of its kind conducted since 1999.
I’m delighted to report we have continued to improve against all key survey
benchmarks and, in particular, the results indicate strong improvements in
staff satisfaction and in pride in UniSA’s performance. The response rate
was high; 70% (1799) of continuing and fixed term staff. In addition, 277
casual/sessional staff also completed the survey.
Brief analysis of the results revealed:
- substantial growth in overall staff satisfaction. The overall satisfaction mean was 4.91 (out of 7) in 2008, compared with 4.66 in 2005, 4.57 in 2002 and 4.01 in 1999. The scale of this shift is illustrated graphically in the following chart:
 This chart is also available in the below short PowerPoint presentation. |
- continued improvement in institutional performance against our external consultant’s, Insync, best practice benchmark, which is based on comparisons with survey results from over 100 organisations in their database*. These organisations are from all sectors and industries both nationally and internationally. In 1999, UniSA’s result was 57.5% on Insync’s weighted performance index. In 2002, it had increased to 62.4%, in 2005 to 63.5% and in 2008 it had risen further to 64.7%. UniSA performed best in the benchmark categories of Leadership and Innovation and Processes, Products and Services but had increased its performance in all seven benchmark categories.
*The Insync Surveys database has been operating for 10 years. The database contains over 700 organisations and it is updated every 6 months. Comparisons are only against data from the last 2 years (approximately 100 organisations).
Staff identified improvements across most areas and issues covered by the survey, including in areas identified as concerns from previous surveys.
Staff continued to see the University performing well in providing a safe working environment free from harassment, in fulfilling commitments to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, in producing quality outcomes and quality services and in providing equity for students. These issues were similar to 2005, but the mean scores had risen significantly against each indicating improved performance.
Staff felt UniSA needs to improve in retaining skilled employees, in providing appropriate incentives and rewards, in resourcing work areas, in consulting with staff and in the level of trust among people at UniSA. The gap scores, between the importance and performance variables, had remained stable since 2005.
Common themes in comments from the survey identified improvements in the area of research and IT infrastructure, development of new buildings, facilities and equipment. There were many positive responses to the general directions outlined in New Horizons and the mission, vision and values statement. Workload management and incentives and rewards were identified as issues of concern in the qualitative data.
There were some variations in issues of concerns across demographic groupings and work areas which the University will explore further as it formulates actions in response to the results.
Moving forward, I have asked each work area manager - Senior Management Group, Head of School, Unit Director and Division Manager - to examine the relevant data carefully, share the outcomes with staff in their work area and carefully consider how best to respond to issues of concern.
This survey of staff perceptions of our performance remains an important undertaking for UniSA.
In 2008, the general results of the qualitative and quantitative data are pleasing and provide us with a strong foundation to move forward in the directions defined by our vision, mission and values statement. The outcomes also offer us some distinct challenges and point to areas for improvement. We will analyse the information closely and respond appropriately. If the actions we take together are effective, I would hope to see further improvement against all benchmarks in our next survey scheduled for 2011, based on our current triennial survey cycle.
Sincerely,
Peter
Professor Peter Høj
Vice Chancellor and President
University of South Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8302 0500
Facsimile: +61 8 8302 0501
peter.hoj@unisa.edu.au
www.unisa.edu.au
Staff Survey 2008 Short PowerPoint Presentation
- Staff Survey PowerPoint Presentation (pdf 346kb - download Adobe Acrobat)
UniSA's Staff Attitude Survey 1999-2008: An overview of results and how the University has responded to them (pdf 574kb - download Adobe Acrobat)
For further information contact Greg Giles, Manager: Organisational Development.