Taking action on Staff Survey issues
28 Mar 2017
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Since the Staff Survey 2015, the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) has been working towards improving the areas you wanted to see changed.
Communication
In the Staff Survey 2015 results, there were lots of comments about how we, as a Faculty, communicate with each other and as a whole.
We have:
- Implemented a number of initiatives to increase the visibility of senior leaders and provide two way opportunities for staff to meet with them to discuss their ideas and concerns including a series of coffee mornings across the Faculty with Director of Faculty Operations and a programme of School visits by the Dean
- Introduced the Summer BBQ as an informal opportunity for colleagues and leaders to meet from across the Faculty as well as an opportunity for the Dean to thank everyone for their hard work and commitment
- Added a video element to Team Brief and included a broader range of content suitable for all staff
- Relaunched the Faculty intranet to make it easier to access information as well as adding a news and events section
- Piloted a Podcast from the Dean. While it was well received, the number of listens verses the cost of time and equipment hire wasn’t a good return on our limited resources. It was however valuable learning for broadening the content and presenters of Team Brief
Managing change
You said there needs to be more consultation across teams on change and more ways in which colleagues are able to feed back their views.
With the Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) project we have:
- Held in excess of 280 engagement sessions, adding up to more than 500 hours of activity
- This has included design workshops, surgeries, focus groups, interviews, town hall meetings, coffee morning and stakeholder engagement sessions
In addition, we are:
- Planning to deliver a series of Lunchtime Learning sessions focused on Managing Change in March 2017 focusing on understanding change and transition, communicating change and will provide practical tools to help attendees manage change
Recognising and rewarding excellence
You said there is a lack of visible recognition for the efforts of our technical staff.
We have:
- Launched the School of Materials’ Technical Staff away day and the Technical Excellence at Manchester (TEaM) forum
- Held the inaugural Technical Excellence at Manchester event which brought together technical staff from all areas of the University to share and celebrate the achievements and the vital contributions they make to teaching and research, both within the University and further afield
- Introduced the ‘Thank You’ scheme to provide a way for peers and managers to instantly reward and recognise colleagues that go the extra mile
- Held a Lunchtime Learning session which focused on ‘Rewards and Recognition’ which explained the reasons for rewarding and recognising staff and looked at the various options and opportunities to do so
- Held the FSE Christmas party which provided the opportunity to catch-up with colleagues and friends from across the Faculty whilst enabling members of the Faculty Leadership Team to thank staff for all their efforts throughout the year and celebrate their achievements
Personal development
While 77% of colleagues stated they feel satisfied with their current level of training and development, you said there needs to be more opportunities for personal development.
We have:
- Improved personal development through the completion of Personal Development Reviews (PDR). Schools and the Faculty Office were encouraged to ensure PDRs are offered to all staff. The Personal Development Reviews allowed colleagues to think about how they could develop their careers and put plans into place to achieve this
- Used the Faculty’s newsletter, Beeline, to publicise key events, seminars and training opportunities to ensure colleagues can attend and develop their skills. At a Faculty level, a series of Lunch and Learn training sessions have been offered to colleagues.