March 3, 2011 — The University of Virginia has undertaken an online staff survey to gauge the level of employee satisfaction in the workplace and to identify areas that could be improved, along with those that are working well.
U.Va. President Teresa A. Sullivan requested the survey to help her and other administrators understand employees' experiences in their work environment and to establish a baseline from which progress can be measured.
The survey was developed by the Center for Survey Research with input from an advisory committee of employees representing various units at U.Va. The deadline for completing the survey is March 18.
Earlier this week, Sullivan sent a letter to approximately 5,000 staff members in the University's Academic Division, inviting them to take the online survey.
"Our staff members are essential to the work we do here to educate young people and equip them for leadership in their careers and communities," Sullivan wrote. "We want you to be satisfied with your work environment and energized by your daily duties."
Sullivan encouraged employees to be "candid and forthright." She also pointed out, "It will be helpful for us to hear positive comments about situations and programs that are working well – so we can be sure to sustain them – as well as critical comments."
No identifying information about employees will be reported with their responses.
Questions address categories such as work environment and working relationships; opportunities for training, development and promotion; diversity; employee relations and equal employment opportunity; and overall job satisfaction.
Support will be offered to assist employees who do not have convenient access to a computer. Spanish translation will also be available.
All staff have received an e-mail with a link to the survey. Employees who think they should have received an e-mail and didn't can contact Jim Ellis at jme2ce@virginia.edu or 243-5224 or Deborah Rexrode at dlr3r@virginia.edu or 243-1088..
The survey not does include teaching and research faculty, general faculty, wage and temporary employees or employees in the Medical Center, which conducts its own surveys.
The Faculty Senate conducted a similar survey of teaching, research and administrative faculty in 2007. A follow-up to that survey is expected at a later date.
A report of the results will be completed by the end of the semester, and a summary of the results will be made public. The advisory committee will assist in identifying priorities and developing recommendations from the responses.
U.Va. President Teresa A. Sullivan requested the survey to help her and other administrators understand employees' experiences in their work environment and to establish a baseline from which progress can be measured.
The survey was developed by the Center for Survey Research with input from an advisory committee of employees representing various units at U.Va. The deadline for completing the survey is March 18.
Earlier this week, Sullivan sent a letter to approximately 5,000 staff members in the University's Academic Division, inviting them to take the online survey.
"Our staff members are essential to the work we do here to educate young people and equip them for leadership in their careers and communities," Sullivan wrote. "We want you to be satisfied with your work environment and energized by your daily duties."
Sullivan encouraged employees to be "candid and forthright." She also pointed out, "It will be helpful for us to hear positive comments about situations and programs that are working well – so we can be sure to sustain them – as well as critical comments."
No identifying information about employees will be reported with their responses.
Questions address categories such as work environment and working relationships; opportunities for training, development and promotion; diversity; employee relations and equal employment opportunity; and overall job satisfaction.
Support will be offered to assist employees who do not have convenient access to a computer. Spanish translation will also be available.
All staff have received an e-mail with a link to the survey. Employees who think they should have received an e-mail and didn't can contact Jim Ellis at jme2ce@virginia.edu or 243-5224 or Deborah Rexrode at dlr3r@virginia.edu or 243-1088..
The survey not does include teaching and research faculty, general faculty, wage and temporary employees or employees in the Medical Center, which conducts its own surveys.
The Faculty Senate conducted a similar survey of teaching, research and administrative faculty in 2007. A follow-up to that survey is expected at a later date.
A report of the results will be completed by the end of the semester, and a summary of the results will be made public. The advisory committee will assist in identifying priorities and developing recommendations from the responses.
— By Anne Bromley
Media Contact
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March 3, 2011
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