North Dakota University System Bismarck, North Dakota. NDUS Office Fall 2017 Climate Survey Report November 21, 2017

Transcription

1 2017 North Dakota University System Bismarck, North Dakota NDUS Office Fall 2017 Climate Survey Report November 21, 2017 REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OFFICE CLIMATE SURVEY DISTRIBUTED OCTOBER 24, NORTH DAKOTA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM COMPLIANCE OFFICE

2 Contents Conveyance Letter Objective and Scope... Executive Summary...4 Survey Results

3 NDUS Compliance Office State Capitol 600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 21 Bismarck, ND Phone: Conveyance Letter November 21, 2017 North Dakota State Board of Higher Education Mr. Don Morton, Chair At your request, the NDUS Compliance Office prepared and distributed a Climate Survey to North Dakota University System Office (NDUSO) employees on October 24, The objective of the survey was to collect general information regarding the office workplace climate, as well as to follow up on a 2016 informal survey regarding Chancellor Hagerott s leadership and communication. The results of this survey are included in this report. Inquiries or comments relating to this report may be directed to me at (701) Respectfully submitted, Karol K. Riedman, CPA CIA CGMA NDUS Compliance Officer CC: North Dakota State Board of Higher Education Dr. Mark Hagerott, Chancellor, NDUS 2

4 Objective and Scope Objective -- The objective of the climate survey was to collect general information regarding the present NDUS office workplace climate, and to record any changes in the perception of the workplace climate and Chancellor Hagerott s communication and leadership style since July Scope At the request of the SBHE Chair Don Morton, a climate survey was prepared and distributed to NDUSO staff and several Core Technology Services (CTS) staff who regularly interact with the system office. Each participant received an link to the electronic survey, which was valid for only one attempt. Participant names, addresses and IP addresses were not linked to the survey responses, in order to preserve anonymity. The survey consisted of ten statements with a five-point Likert scale of responses. Responses of Agree or Strongly Agree indicate agreement or a positive response to the question, while Disagree or Strongly Disagree would indicate the opposite. A neutral response of Neither agree or was also an option. The final question consisted of an optional opportunity to add comments and feedback. The survey was distributed on October 24, 2017 and was closed on November, A total of 28 surveys were distributed, and responses from 26 participants were recorded; a response rate of 92.86%. The survey tool did not require participants to answer every question, therefore less than 26 responses could be recorded for each individual question. As this is the initial formal survey of this type, there is no comparative statistical data to be reported.

5 Executive Summary SBHE Chair Don Morton requested a climate survey be performed to collect general information regarding the present NDUS office workplace climate. The survey also requested staff perceptions of changes in the workplace climate and in Chancellor Hagerott s communication and leadership style since July 2016, when a performance evaluation recommended improvements in these areas. Overall, the survey results indicate a positive workplace climate. The first six questions addressed general workplace topics: 1. The NDUS offers a positive workplace climate. 2. Leadership is open to input from employees.. I receive recognition or feedback for my work. 4. I feel that I am a valued employee within the organization.. At the present time, I feel that I can express my opinion on work issues without fear of reprisals. 6. I am treated with respect by my supervisor. These six questions received a total of 10 responses, with only five and one strongly response. Three of these questions had no negative responses at all. Nine responses were neutral. The most common response for the climate questions was Strongly Agree (8 responses =.%), followed by Agree (2 responses = 4.67%). Total positive responses for the six general climate questions was 1 of 10, which is 90%. The remaining questions related to staff perception of the workplace climate and Chancellor Hagerott s leadership and communication style as compared to July Workplace climate % of respondents felt the workplace climate had improved over that period of time, 17.6% were neutral and 11.76% (consisting of two responses) did not feel the climate had improved. 8. Communication style % of respondents felt the Chancellor s communication style had shown improvement, with the remaining 1.2% neutral. There were no negative responses. 9. Leadership style 64.71% of respondents felt the Chancellor s leadership style had shown improvement % of responses were neutral and one response (.88%) was negative. 10. Recently hired employees Eight respondents were not a part of the NDUS office in July 2016, so they were excluded from the comparison questions. These participants were asked if they felt the Chancellor s communication and leadership style is satisfactory. Six (7%) responded Strongly Agree or Agree, and the remaining two were neutral. Survey participants were also offered an opportunity to add comments or feedback. Due to the size of the group surveyed, and to ensure the anonymity of the responses, comments and feedback are reported in summary form only, and are presented on page 10. Overall, the comments were very positive regarding both the workplace climate and the Chancellor s communication and leadership style. 4

6 Survey results 1. The NDUS offers a positive workplace climate. Twenty-two of twenty-five responses (88%) agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. Two respondents neither agreed nor d, and one respondent d with this statement. 1 Strongly agree % 2 Agree % Neither agree nor % 4 Disagree % Strongly % 2. Leadership is open to input from employees. Twenty-one of twenty-five responses (84%) agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. Three respondents d, and one respondent neither agreed nor d with this statement. 1 Strongly agree % 2 Agree % Neither agree nor % 4 Disagree 12.00% Strongly %

7 . I receive recognition or feedback for my work. Twenty-four of twenty-five responses (96%) agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. One respondent neither agreed nor d, and no respondents d with this statement. 1 Strongly agree % 2 Agree % Neither agree nor % 4 Disagree % Strongly % 4. I feel that I am a valued employee within the organization. Twenty-three of twenty-five responses (92%) agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. Two respondents neither agreed nor d, and no respondents d or strongly d with this statement. 1 Strongly agree % 2 Agree % Neither agree nor % 4 Disagree % Strongly % 6

8 . At the present time, I feel that I can express my opinion on work issues without fear of reprisals. Twenty-two of twenty-five responses (88%) agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. One respondent neither agreed nor d, one respondent d and one respondent strongly d with this statement. 1 Strongly agree % 2 Agree % Neither agree nor % 4 Disagree % Strongly % 6. I am treated with respect by my supervisor. Twenty-three of twenty-five responses (92%) agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. Two respondents neither agreed nor d, and no respondents d with this statement. 1 Strongly agree % 2 Agree % Neither agree nor % 4 Disagree % Strongly % 7

9 For questions 7, 8 and 9, participants who responded I was not here in July 2016 were redirected to question I feel the workplace climate has improved from July 2016 to present. Twenty-five responses were recorded for this statement. Eight responded that they were not at the NDUS office in July 2016, and the survey tool redirected those respondents to Question 10, skipping Questions 8 and 9. Of the remaining seventeen responses, twelve (70.9%) agreed or strongly agreed that the workplace climate had improved. One respondent d, one strongly d and three neither agreed nor d with this statement. 1 Strongly agree % 2 Agree % Neither agree nor 12.00% 4 Disagree % Strongly % 6 I was not here in July % 8. I feel the Chancellor s communication style has shown improvement from July 2016 to present. Sixteen responses were recorded for this statement. Eleven of the responses (68.7%) agreed or strongly agreed that the Chancellor s communication style had improved. The remaining five respondents neither agreed nor d with this statement. 1 Strongly agree % 2 Agree 1 6.2% Neither agree nor 1.2% 4 Disagree % Strongly % Total % 8

10 9. I feel the Chancellor s leadership style has shown improvement from July 2016 to present. Seventeen responses were recorded for this statement. Eleven of the responses (68.7%) agreed or strongly agreed that the Chancellor s leadership style had improved. One participant d, and five respondents neither agreed nor d with this statement. 1 Strongly agree % 2 Agree 1.88% Neither agree nor 29.41% 4 Disagree 1.88% Strongly % Total % This question is for respondents that joined the system office after July I feel the Chancellor s communication and leadership style is satisfactory. Six of the eight respondents (7%) agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. The remaining two participants neither agreed nor d with this statement. 1 Strongly agree % 2 Agree % Neither agree nor % 4 Disagree % Strongly % Total % 9

11 11. Comments and additional feedback: Due to the size of the group surveyed, and to ensure the anonymity of the responses, comments and feedback are presented in summary form. Generally positive feedback was received regarding the NDUS workplace climate, with respondents noting improvements in collaboration and teamwork, and expressing appreciation for the open-door policy of supervisors. Respondents stated that they enjoy working at NDUS, that the atmosphere is friendly and collegial, and that they feel their work is appreciated and respected, with honest and helpful feedback being provided. Comments were made regarding low morale in the office and system-wide due to drastic budget cuts and the suspension of general employee raises, as well as continued external scrutiny. However, other comments noted improved morale due to an increased perception of professionalism and respect at all levels. Turnover in the system office over the past year was mentioned in several comments. Improvement in timely communication of major staff changes was suggested, however comments regarding the effect of personnel changes on the workplace climate were positive, specifically referencing the elimination of intimidating and bullying behavior. Numerous comments addressed an improvement in communication and transparency, and expressed the need for these efforts to continue to be a high priority. Feedback regarding the Chancellor echoed the positive survey results regarding improvement in leadership and communication style. There were no negative comments recorded regarding the Chancellor s leadership or communication style. Several comments noted that the Chancellor supports the staff and treats employees equally and with respect. Others stated that the Chancellor encourages staff to share both ideas and concerns with him, and that he listens to his employees. Specific references described Chancellor Hagerott as a true public servant, a champion of the cause of higher education, guiding the system toward new and positive directions, and an invaluable asset to NDUS. For additional copies of this report, please contact: NDUS Compliance Officer State Capitol 600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 21 Bismarck, ND Phone: karol.riedman@ndus.edu 10