Photo Shutterstock This is revealed in the latest employee satisfaction survey, the Medewerker Monitor, a bi-annual survey conducted by WUR. The home office itself is comparable to the offices offered by WUR, except in terms of collaboration. Collaboration is negatively impacted by remote working, which is reflected by the 3.3 (on a scale of ten) rating.
Differences
Not nearly everyone works from home. Four out of every ten WUR staff members only works partially from home or not at all. There are significant differences across our organisation. Over 80 per cent of the staff working within the SSG or CS+ works from home. In contrast, less than one-quarter of the employees at WSFR (Food Safety) works remotely. WUR’s handling of the corona crisis is rated well over 7.
Supervisors are more visible in times of corona due to the online meetings
Johan Kanis, project lead Medewerker Monitor
On the whole, the monitor shows good results. A score of well over seven is given for almost all themes (enthusiasm, dedication, satisfaction, working atmosphere, etc.), which is slightly higher than two years ago. On average, the staff are satisfied (7.5) with and proud (7.7) of the organisation and rate their colleagues with an 8.4.
Research agency Effectory says that these positive scores are noteworthy. Many organisations fail to achieve such scores in times of corona. ‘Perhaps this shows a positive effect’, says WUR-project leader Johan Kanis. ‘Leadership has been given excellent scores across the board. Supervisors are more visible in times of corona due to the online meetings.’
Satisfaction
‘We have all worked hard to do the right things’, Kanis continues. ‘This is reflected in the satisfaction with the organisation.’ Employees feel they were well-informed about WUR’s corona policy and the actions that were taken (score 7.5) and that they were facilitated in carrying out their duties effectively (7.0).
Work pressure
There are also issues. The work pressure remains high. No less than 44 per cent of all employees say work pressure is high or too high. This is the same as two years ago. Many staff members are too tired to do anything after their working day is over. There are too few options to address work pressure (score 4.7) and the work-personal life balance is mediocre: 6.2.
Another point of focus is undesired behaviour. Over the past year, during the corona crisis, one in ten staff members experienced unwanted behaviour. Intimidation and verbal aggression are mentioned most frequently. How complaints are addressed, the aftercare and support from colleagues are rated well over 4.
The survey results will be used as a basis for both WUR-wide and department-level plans of improvement and actions.
