Staff Survey - Summary Report
Background
In its strategic plan “Towards 2016,” Loughborough University recognised that the success of the University was dependent on the excellence of its staff and students. Whilst the University already had access to detailed information about the students’ perceptions of the Loughborough Experience, significantly less information was available in relation to the experiences of University staff. To this end the University undertook a survey inviting staff to give their views on their working life at the University and the areas which could be improved.
Capita People Development’s Survey and Research Unit designed the survey and it was developed in conjunction with the University’s Project Team, whose membership included a cross section of managers and staff from across the University. During June and July 2008, the Survey Unit received completed questionnaires from 2,028 staff.
The largest group of participants in the survey (24% of all respondents) was Research and Teaching staff, with the next largest group participating being Administrative Services staff (20%).
The University response rate of 65% is the highest score achieved by any of the 32 Higher Education Institutions in which the Survey Unit has undertaken surveys (average 48%). Response rates varied across the different job families. Seventy-nine percent of teaching and scholarship staff responded while 27% of Operational Services staff responded.
[Figures in brackets indicate response rate]
As part of the survey process, the University made a commitment to donate £1 for each completed questionnaire returned to the survey unit. Staff were asked to select a charity from a list and the charity would receive a donation in proportion to the nominations received. Rainbows Children’s Hospice received the highest number of nominations and the donations made by the University were as follows:
- Rainbows Children’s Hospice - £702
- British Heart Foundation - £451
- Raindrops for Life - £280
595 respondents did not indicate a preferred charity. Therefore, the University has donated an extra £595, spilt between the three named charities.
