You said, we did: Our last survey results in action
Your opinion matters at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ and it comes down to more than words. Ahead of the launch of our 2023 staff survey on 3 April, we look back at what steps have been taken since our last survey, based entirely on your feedback.
In 2021, we were in the midst of the pandemic and our focus was on wellbeing and how we could support our University community during this difficult time. Our 2021 Mental Health Survey garnered a positive response from staff while also providing us for valued feedback on how we could better support you.
Academic workload was a key theme bought out through the survey and several measures have been put in place to support that, with more to come. The Future of Learning and Teaching project has focussed specifically on this and has taken steps to assist in terms of:
- Workload associated with assessment.
- Reducing SEQs.
- Changing performance evaluation under the Academic Progression Model.
- Supporting managers in workload management for their staff.
- Updated approach to manage annual leave throughout the year and ensure staff get breaks.
- The 3Ds (Delay, Discard, Do) exercise which was carried out last year empowered managers to implement school specific changes.
Staffing numbers across the University have also increased approximately 10% in the last 12 months. Meaning that whilst there has been an increase in student numbers the University has provided increased staff to support with workload.
The Future of Learning and Teaching Project is also looking ahead to automated timetabling, the development of University Workload Principles, introducing protected research time and reviewing second marking and moderation to help with academic workload.
We listened to the response around the challenges posed by Wellbeing Wednesday. We relaunched it as Midweek Focus to provide a greater clarity on what it could be used for. It allows staff who do not have teaching commitments to protect time so that there are fewer meetings to attend, aimed at supporting wellbeing. Those staff who have teaching commitments are encouraged to try and take time where they can at another point in the week.
Following the survey, we also re-established the Healthy University steering group to bring together staff from across the University who are passionate about improving our community’s wellbeing, and we are adopting a Wellbeing Strategy which is inclusive, transparent and delivers a positive working environment for all.
Our 2023 staff survey will ask for your view on the changes that have been made to improve the total reward package at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ. This considers initiatives such as harmonisation of terms and conditions, cost of living payment and hybrid working. We want to know how these steps have impacted you and how we can continually enhance your working life at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ. Look out for your email invitation to take part in the survey coming to your inbox on Monday 3 April.
