Click to enlargeUAB Medicine's annual Employee Engagement Survey is one of the best tools for gathering staff input on what's working well, what isn't, and where change is needed most. Leadership looks closely at the results each year and uses the anonymous data to craft new policies that reward employees, make their jobs easier and more productive, and benefit the organization as a whole.This is your survey, and your participation is invaluable. In 2015, the survey response rate was 74% for non-faculty employees, and we want to see that figure continue to rise.
This year's survey period is February 15-29, which is earlier than usual (more on that below). We hope to encourage greater participation by clarifying certain facts about the survey and sharing some insight into the process. The six items below should answer a few frequently asked questions and alleviate some common concerns.
- Survey Process/Who Reads the Results – The survey administration period for 2016 is February 15-29. After the survey ends, Press Ganey (our survey vendor) will compile and analyze the survey results from UAB Medicine as a whole and from individual work groups. At the conclusion of that process, Press Ganey will conduct presentations with UAB Medicine senior leadership regarding survey outcomes. Work group leaders will be given access to their group's results and encouraged to review them with their teams. The survey is secure and completely confidential; only Press Ganey has access to read actual responses. The results are compiled and presented by Press Ganey in such a way that employee confidentiality is ensured
- Terminology – Below are three common terms found on the Engagement Survey, with descriptions on how these terms should be interpreted when completing the survey:
- The person I report to: consider the person you report to directly; the person who conducts your performance evaluation.
- Work group: consider the group of employees you work with on a regular basis, usually reporting to the same manager.
- Senior Leadership: consider the executive leaders in your organization. The passcode memo employees receive will outline specific individuals who should be considered in this category.
- Change in Survey Timing – In 2015, the Employee Engagement Survey was administered in May. For 2016, the survey has been moved up to February in an effort to better align with the organization's goal-setting periods, allow for sufficient time to share results, and address any identified concerns within the current calendar year.
- Survey Ownership – The Employee Engagement Survey belongs to employees. The feedback received from the survey helps leaders in the organization identify where improvements can be made and how they can make working for UAB Medicine an even greater experience. The survey gives employees a voice and a platform for suggesting positive changes within various work groups and across the entire organization.
- How to Answer with a Neutral Response (N/A vs. 3) – Each survey item will use a ‘Strongly Disagree' to ‘Strongly Agree' response scale, allowing employees to rate their level of agreement or disagreement with the statement. The ‘Neutral' rating would be the appropriate response when one neither agrees nor disagrees with the survey statement. For instances in which employees feel they do not have sufficient information to respond to a survey item, or if the item doesn't apply to them, they should select the ‘N/A' response.
- How to Access the Survey – The Employee Engagement Survey is completed entirely online. At the beginning of the survey administration period, employees will receive a memo from their manager containing the survey link and the passcode needed to access the survey.