Faculty of Humanities take action on Staff Survey issues
05 Mar 2015
Since the Staff Survey in 2013 staff in Humanities have been working hard to implement the changes identified following the results of the survey
These are the issues which staff raised and the action which the Faculty has taken to remedy them:
Performance Development
There were mixed responses to this section of the staff survey - 86% of staff agreed clear objectives as part of P&DR or probation review but only 49% felt they received the training and development they had identified. As a result, the Faculty took immediate action to address the operation of the current P&DR scheme in Faculty, alongside the University working group reviewing the scheme centrally.
- A more systematic means of monitoring the delivery of development requirements identified in P&DRs has been put in place.
- Schools were asked to ensure that staff conducting the review are doing so in a line management capacity and/or have the knowledge to discuss an individual’s performance and career development.
- The reasons why some staff decline the opportunity for a P&DR have been monitored in order to identify the reasons that some do not value the current process.
- The Faculty’s Step into Leadership course has been reviewed to incorporate elements on employee engagement and communication, managing change and conflict, and team development.
Physical environment
While 94% of staff said they felt safe and secure at the University, there were a few areas where they had concerns. One of these was that only 70% felt teaching facilities were good.
- Some of the Faculty's teaching space has been improved. Of the seven central lecture rooms in Ellen Wilkinson, one has been completely refurbished and the remaining six have been identified as needing refurbishment. This has now been included in a wider review of teaching spaces across campus and has been highlighted as a priority, dependant on budget.
Managing Change
Managing Change was a key area where Humanities staff had a lower satisfaction than the rest of the University – only 43% felt change within the University was managed well and 50% felt they were consulted about changes which affected their team/School/Directorate.
- The Faculty has shared a change management ‘tool kit’ on HumNet, developed by Faculty HR, which is aimed at improving the management of change and the ability of colleagues to cope with change.
- Previous change projects are being evaluated to share best practice. Any change management project initiated in the Faculty will now include a means of evaluating its success in the associated plan, and any lessons learned will inform the approach to further change projects.
What's happened since Staff Survey 2013?
To find out what's been done across the University since the last Staff Survey in 2013 visit:
What could you do in 15 minutes?
Staff Survey 2015 launches on Monday, 9 March and you will have the chance to share your views on a range of topics that. It only takes around 15 minutes to fill it in - so watch out for the email from Capita next Monday and make your voice heard!