UF staff survey provides insight into working conditions

July 15, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A survey released today of more than 8,000 University of Florida staff members finds that university employees show a high level of satisfaction with their working conditions, work/life balance, benefits, career development and training.

The survey also shows that same group reported a low level of satisfaction with university pay and internal communications. Employees also noted that the implementation of new computer software on campus for personnel and payroll had made their jobs more challenging, but many staff reported feeling optimistic about the future.

“During the past two years, the campus has been challenged with significant change and the survey results bear that out,” said university President Bernie Machen. “Staff pay is a major concern and we recognize that issue. Pay is one of our highest priorities, and the upcoming 3.6 percent salary increase is a step in the right direction.”

The survey was designed by Chicago-based International Survey Research and was administered in March and April. Approximately 61 percent of those surveyed responded to the survey questionnaire.

While the staff expressed dissatisfaction in some areas, they reported great support in others such as feeling safe on campus and their sense of pride in the university.

“Survey results indicate that our staff thoroughly enjoys the working conditions here at the University of Florida. Staff also felt positive about the work/life balance at the university, about benefits, career development and training,” Machen said.

For instance, the results showed 84 percent of those surveyed said they would recommend UF as a good place to work, compared with a national norm of 77 percent. In addition, 83 percent said they were proud to be a part of UF – an exact match with the national norm.

Machen said the university will use the results of the survey, along with other information from staff, to focus the university’s strategic initiatives.

“Attracting and retaining quality staff is a key to our pursuit of becoming a top 10 institution,” Machen said. “In order to do that, we have to pay attention to what our staff is telling us. The survey results are an important tool in helping us do just that.”

Links to the survey results are available online at http://www.president.ufl.edu/staffsurvey/#results.