Employee Engagement Survey - Open Response Analysis

You will recall that last fall the UT System conducted an Employee Engagement Survey. We are improving our work environment by analyzing the results and implementing improvements. at the agency level as well as institute-wide. This week I received a summary of the responses to the three open-ended questions at the end of the survey. I will post the full report on the Intranet site (it includes graphs and charts). Below is a summary of the findings.

Open Response Analysis

Institute for Public Service

Employee Engagement Survey

November 1 – 18, 2011

 

1.      What do you appreciate most about working at this institute?

·        The public service mission of IPS and the individual agencies

·        The belief the work enables employees to make a positive contribution to the community

·        The affiliation with the University of Tennessee

·        Appreciation for colleagues and the camaraderie within their departments

·        Appreciation for the flexibility and autonomy they are afforded

2.      What would make this institute a better place to work?

 

·        A greater sense of accountability and consistency in the application of policies

·        Stronger sense of alignment and trust across agencies and with IPS as a whole

·       Better communication, especially regarding “the big picture” and appropriate transparency

·        Enhanced consistency and leadership from those in leadership/supervisory roles

·        Improvements to compensation, benefits and IPS/Agency funding

 

3.      What are the top three things you think could be done to strengthen the culture of the institute?

·        Accountability

o   Consistent application of policies

o   Provide recognition to those who deserve it

o   Address problems/issues in a timely and constructive manner

·        Communication

o   Improve communication in general, especially from leadership

o   Include employees in decisions that impact them

o   Enhance communication across agencies

·        Cultivate a better sense of understanding of, and appreciation for, the work of the various agencies

·        Continue support of professional development

·        Consistency in funding and improvements to compensation