To gain an insight into how the University's staff perceive their work situation, a web-based survey was undertaken between 26 February and 15 March 2024. Out of 4,292 members of staff and scholarship holders invited to partake in the survey, 3,099 answered, and the response rate for Umeå University in its entirety was 72 per cent. The results of the employee satisfaction survey are used as basis for continued development of work environment, equal opportunities and sustainable working life endeavours.
"I would like to thank all staff members who have contributed to influencing our shared work environment. The results of the employee satisfaction survey support our work with pinpointing areas of improvement and safeguarding what already works well. The results are also important to follow work environment developments in light of previous improvements conducted," says Vice-Chancellor Hans Adolfsson.
A clear positive trend
The work now continues to conduct deeper analysis of the material gathered, for which results will be presented later. However, already after a first analysis, the Human Resources Office has spotted certain interesting results.
What is most noticeable is a clear positive trend for the University's employee index between 2014 and 2024 with an increase from 64 (in 2014) to 69 (in 2018) and finally 75 (in 2024). The University's overall results for 2024 are very high in comparison to other universities for which the survey supplier has conducted surveys for.
The employee index is an overall measurement of commitment indicating the balance between leadership and employeeship; participation in developing the organisation; and if there is a workplace climate where everyone has the same opportunities to contribute. The positive development applies to all four areas involved in the employee satisfaction survey: workplace climate, leadership, organisation, and vision and values. Behind the overall positive outcome, there is naturally variation as there are departments and offices that need improvement. In the workplace climate section, the results on work-life balance has improved over time, but the results need further analysis. The response rate too needs to be improved next time as it is lower than for previous employee satisfaction surveys.
The value indicating staff members' willingness to recommend their department, office or equivalent as a workplace has increased remarkably compared to the 2014 and 2018 surveys.
"It's very rewarding that we see a positive trend in how staff experience their work situation in all fields included in the survey. This shows that we're going in the right direction in our sustainable working life endeavours. I interpret this strong willingness to recommend the workplace as an indication that staff are generally healthy and thriving at Umeå University, despite their work situation sometimes being challenging," says Vice-Chancellor Hans Adolfsson.
Next step for managers
Managers with staff responsibilities will access the results portal between 22 April and 8 May. There, you can download a completed results report in Swedish and English for your department or office. You will receive login details via email. Sender of that email is "Umeå universitet/Quicksearch" and the subject is "Kontoinformation till Resultatportal" [Account details for results portal]. If you have not received an email with your login details during this period, please check your "Övrigt/Other" inbox in Outlook.
As a manager, you are responsible for presenting the results to your staff. Subsequently, the real work begins to discuss what the new results show, and work together to pinpoint prioritised risks, important work environment perspectives to maintain, and any measures needed. Your work must be documented in the department's or office's action plan for systematic work environment and active measures. Please remember that you can ask your nearest HR support function for support in this work.
Do you have questions or wish to learn more?
Read the results report for Umeå University (In Swedish)
Read more in the HR Guide about how you can process the results.