In anticipation of questions that you may have, the following is divided into three sections: about the survey, completing the survey, and survey results.
Section 1: ABOUT THE SURVEY
1. What is the Employee Experience Survey?
Sponsored by the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba (U of M), Dr. David Barnard, the Outstanding Workplace Initiative employee experience survey is the first confidential survey of academic and support staff. It is designed to help us better understand academic and support staff experiences at the U of M.
2. Why conduct this survey?
As a continuing effort to enhance an outstanding workplace, the feedback received will be used in identifying areas of strength and where improvements are needed. The valuable information gathered from this survey will be shared with the U of M community and it will inform an action plan.
3. What are the benefits of completing a survey?
Your participation in this survey is vital to ensuring that we receive an accurate reflection of what it is like to work at the U of M. By completing your survey, you will have the opportunity to contribute to enhancing the work experience at the U of M and to assist in the university’s effort to being a workplace of first choice.
4. Who is administering the survey?
Probe Research Inc., a professional research organization, will be administering the survey on behalf of the University of Manitoba. Probe Research Inc. has extensive experience in designing and conducting surveys in both the public and private sectors.
5. How will the survey be administered?
You will be able to complete the survey online. Probe Research Inc. will send you all the necessary information including a secure electronic link to the survey.
6. What if I do not have access to a computer?
Paper versions of this survey will be made available at both the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses and all efforts will be made to encourage your participation. Your manager/supervisor will share more information about the time and place to complete your survey.
7. How long will the survey run?
The survey can be completed from June 15 to June 29, 2011.
8. Can my manager/supervisor/dean/head of department see my responses?
No. To ensure confidentiality, the university and Probe Research Inc., have taken a number of measures:
I. No one other than Probe Research Inc. will have access to individual survey responses. No information will be shared with the U of M where any identification of individuals could occur.
II. The U of M will not know who has and who has not responded.
III. A confidentiality agreement has been signed between the University of Manitoba and Probe Research Inc. and the latter will be limited to using the information gained as specified in the confidentiality agreement.
9. I work for a small unit, will that jeopardize confidentiality?
No. Responses from any group with 10 or fewer employees will always be rolled up to a larger group by Probe Research Inc. to preserve confidentiality .
10. How will open-ended questions be reported?
Probe Research Inc. will remove any identifiers, such as names or references to specific work units.
11. What about ethics approval?
This survey is “in support of the general administration of the university” and is in accordance with the U of M policy and procedures as outlined in the Administrative Bulletin, Policy 1406.
12. Is this survey voluntary?
Yes, however, we encourage you to participate in order for the university to gain as clear a picture as possible about what it is like to work at the U of M.
13. How were the statements chosen?
From November 2010 to April 2011, we heard from approximately 450 employees (support staff and academic staff) through one-on-one interviews, focus groups and a web-based survey. The survey statements
(a) are directly aligned with the themes and indicators gathered through the identified consultation processes and the literature. For more information on feedback received, please see: http://umanitoba.ca/outstanding_workplace/
(b) were reviewed by our outstanding workplace guiding team
Section 2: COMPLETING THE SURVEY
14. Who is eligible to complete the survey?
The survey is being provided to all full-time and part-time employees in appointments of one year or more, all support staff in seasonal positions, and CUPE 3909 (sessional) staff.
15. When will I get the survey?
On June 15, 2011, you will receive an announcement email from the President and Vice-Chancellor of the U of M, followed by an invitation email from Probe Research Inc. to participate in the survey. The latter will include a unique web link that you will use to access your survey.
For employees who do not have ready access to a computer, a paper version will be made available to you. You will provide your completed survey directly to Probe Research Inc.
16. I didn’t receive my email invitation to complete the survey. What should I do?
If you have not received your email invitation from Probe Research Inc., by June 15, 2011, check your junk/spam folder. If it is not there, please email probe@probe-research.com or call Probe Research at 926-6565.
17. How long will it take to complete the survey?
It will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete the survey.
18. My colleague did not get an email invitation. Should I forward mine?
No, each email invitation contains a unique number that links to your survey. Your colleague should contact probe@probe-research.com or call Probe Research at 926-6565.
19. What if I have a problem filling out the survey?
If there is a technical issue with filling out the survey, please contact probe@probe-research.com or call 926-6565.
20. Will my manager give me time to complete the survey?
We expect managers to ensure employees have time to fill out their survey during work hours. If you work in a high-traffic area and would like a more private place to complete the survey, speak to your manager.
21. I am completing the survey online. Do I have to complete the survey at one time?
No. If you are unable to complete the survey during one session, just press the “save and continue later” button and follow the instructions. Be sure to bookmark the link. Your entries will be automatically saved and you will be able to complete the survey from the point where you left off. Once you press the "submit" button, your responses will be confidentially forwarded directly to Probe Research Inc.
22. If I am to win a prize, how is this survey confidential?
Probe Research Inc. will conduct the draw, and should you win, Probe Research Inc. will distribute the prizes. Information will be released only with your permission.
SECTION 3: SURVEY RESULTS
23. When will the results be released?
We expect to release the results of this survey in the fall of 2011.
24. How will the results be released?
The results of the survey will be shared in a variety of ways, including publishing results on th outstanding workplace webpage, in The Bulletin, and in presentations.
25. What descriptors will be used in reporting the results?
For purposes of (a) encouraging greater representation from the diversity of our U of M population and (b) correlation, the following types of information have been provided to Probe Research Inc.:
a) Email addresses - only Probe Research Inc. will contact you
b) Length of service at the university - this information will only be reported as a range. For example one to five years, six to 10 years, and so forth.
c) Academic or administrative units, e.g. faculty, administrative department – this information will only be reported at the general unit level, e.g. Faculty of Arts, human resources.
d) Types of appointment - for example, ‘regular’, ‘tenured’, ‘probationary’ and so forth
e) Gender
f) Employee groups
g) Locations of work - Fort Garry campus, Bannatyne campus, other