The University ranks highly as a ‘good place to work’

11 Sep 2019

Staff Survey 2019 results benchmark our working experience against other universities

The University ranks highly as a 'good place to work'

Following our Staff Survey 2019 earlier in the year, all the findings have now been collated and analysed by our survey consultants Capita. As well as the survey providing the leadership team with insight into our colleagues’ working experience, the responses also allow us to benchmark ourselves against other universities.

The final report received is the HE Sector Benchmark Report, this uses a framework questionnaire that enables comparisons between issues or questions, from which benchmark data can be produced. The University of Manchester has been compared against 12 other universities across the United Kingdom – who have completed staff surveys in the last two years – including King’s College London and the University of Birmingham.

The University has achieved 37 results better than the median, in areas varying from job satisfaction to physical environment. We have the highest proportion of staff who said:

The University is a good place to work
They have completed, or they are in the process of completing, their personal development objectives
In the past 12 months, they have taken part in any type of work‐related learning or development (including e‐learning, online learning or face‐to‐face training)
They can decide on their own how to go about doing their work
Communications between teams/sections are effective
They have a place they can go for a break at work

The University achieved 28 results worse than the median. We have the lowest proportion of staff who said:

They feel valued by the people they work with
Generally, they have seen some positive changes in the last 12 months

The University has the highest proportion of staff who said:

Of those who have felt discriminated against at work in the last 12 months, they feel it is because of their gender
Of those who have felt discriminated against at work in the last 12 months, they feel it is because of their caring responsibility

Although the survey has highlighted many positives aspects about working here, it has also highlighted areas that urgently need improvement. It is of course, of great concern that harassment and discrimination have been raised as issues we need to address. The Senior Leadership Team wishes to emphasise that discrimination will not be tolerated, and that we are taking urgent measures to tackle issues raised, and to prevent such behaviour reoccurring. SLT are continuing to identify other key areas that we need to focus on, and are currently finalising local-level action plans which will be shared with colleagues shortly.