The preliminary results of the 2017 Workplace Experiences Survey are now available. Last week info sessions were held on the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. HR leaders and Talent Map, the company that designed and analyzed the WES, shared campus specific results with the UBC community. A combined summary of those results is available to download on the HR WES website.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the preliminary results:

Engagement vs experience

A deliberate effort was made to evaluate engagement rather than experience, as engagement is a better indicator of value to both the individual and the institution.

Essentially we are measuring the commitment of faculty and
staff, which impacts their ability to do their best work, and
contribute to the overall success of UBC.

An engaged workplace leads to engaged attitudes and behaviours, resulting in a direct positive impact on innovation, research excellence, teaching & learning, student experience, and community engagement.

Increased participation

We already know that ES had stellar participation in the WES, but the results for the rest of the university were also impressive. Staff and Faculty participation rose from 20% , 27%, and 31% in 2009, 2011, and 2014, to 40% in 2017, with a staff participation rate of 47%.

Combined survey scores

The table below outlines the overall engagement scores for each of the main survey attributes. Faculty and Staff, Okanagan and Vancouver results are combined.

Focus for Increased Engagement

Based on the survey results in combination with analysis to determine potential impact on engagement, four drivers for staff engagement have been identified*:

  1. Professional growth
  2. Inclusion and respect
  3. UBC’s senior leadership
  4. Student focus

*See slides 32-38 for more detail.

In the coming weeks, we will receive the Enrolment Services departmental results (by campus). Stay tuned for opportunities to learn about, and ways to apply, the results to our work in ES in the coming months. In the meantime, visit the HR Workplace Experiences Survey website to view the preliminary results in more detail.