Having your say:
Staff Opinion Survey 2009
News
The 2009 Staff Opinion Survey which took place last August and September was the fourth successive annual staff survey since company-wide surveys were introduced in 2006. More than 5,100 questionnaires were issued to staff and almost 3,200 were completed giving a response rate of 63%. This compares very favourably with external standards.
2009 Performance vs 2008
Despite the economic downturn and the changing environment, I am pleased to note that our overall performance shows improvement in 2009 over 2008 with increases in Morale and Pride in working for ESB. The changed circumstances in which we find ourselves has implications for our Business, however I am confident that, as in the past, by working together we can address and successfully overcome these challenges.
As a company, Safety is our top priority and I am pleased to note that we continue to maintain our high standards in this area. Other areas that continue to perform well include Communications, Teamwork and Work Life Balance.
While the level of Bullying and Harassment continues to decrease each year (down from 12% in our 2006 survey to 8% in 2009) this is an area where our target is also zero. I can assure you of our continued efforts and determination to make further progress in this area.
‘Confidence that Senior Management will carefully consider and act on the issues raised in the survey’ scores low at 45%. Though an increase on the 39% recorded in 2008, it is felt that a possible explanation for this low score is that improvements or changes when made are often not linked back to the survey outcome as being the ‘driver’. In 2010, greater emphasis will be made in communicating the ‘source’ of changes where they arise from the responses to staff surveys.
A lthough awareness of Partnership has increased on 2008, 40% of staff are unsure of its effectiveness indicating the need for increased communication in this area.
Sustainability was included in the survey for the first time in 2009. It is pleasing to note over 84% of staff indicated that their approach to energy saving at work has improved in the last year.
Positive Actions following 2008 Survey I am delighted to see that many positive actions have taken place across the Business Lines as a direct result of the 2008 staff survey. These vary from Person to Person Workshops for all staff in Shared Services, a Colour Insight Workshop for staff in ESBIE, a Healthy Minds Programme for staff within Corporate Centre and Respect and Dignity Workshops for all staff within Customer Supply. It is good to see that the staff survey contributes to bringing about many positive changes across the Company.
Next Steps
The primary motivation for undertaking this survey comes from our desire to make ESB a better place in which to work. Staff and management across the Company working in partnership have the ability to make this happen through engaging in reviewing the survey results and implementing local action that needs to be taken.
I strongly encourage everybody to fully and actively participate in their local process.
I would like to thank you for participating in this exercise which brings benefits to us all.
