States workers are cynical that survey will change anything

Thursday 24 May 2018

States workers aren’t as happy in their jobs as workers in the UK and are cynical anything will change.

In the first survey of its kind in almost a decade, States employees were asked what they thought about their working environment and conditions.

Compared with 43 UK ‘benchmarks’ the survey shows States workers are less satisfied with their jobs on 34 counts, happier on eight counts, and as content on two.

The independent analysts conclude “there is some way to go to catch up with the benchmarks”, and go on to say “survey themes indicate there are fundamental challenges before tackling engagement”.

The analysts indicate the new team brought in to modernise the States workforce have a tough challenge ahead of them: “The new executive management team have a lot of work to do to share a compelling vision and help people to understand how change will be managed. Low scoring areas include pay fairness, performance management and not much trust that action will be taken from the survey.”

62% of States employees (4,321 people) responded to the survey which took place in the last week of March this year and asked 61 attitudinal questions, 10 demographic questions and one comment question.

Whilst 58% of respondents said they were proud to work for the States, that was 13 points down on those working in the public sector in the UK and 18 points down on those in the private sector. Again, whilst 36% would recommend working for the States that is 26 points down on those working in the public sector in the UK and 31 points down on those in the private sector.

Social Security workers seem to be the most contented. They were the proudest department to work for the States, had the most people who would recommend working for the States, felt the greatest attachment to the States, and who felt inspired by the States. The police were the least happy.

Pictured: States Chief Executive, Charlie Parker, "I have assured colleagues that we will learn from these results".

Chief Executive, Charlie Parker, says the survey “provides valuable insights into what colleagues are thinking and feeling, and is an important baseline against which we can judge our progress.

“The survey results show that there are clear issues we need to address. There are variations between, and within, departments that we will need to explore. We now need to discuss these results in our teams, sections and departments and identify together where the priorities are and what action we need to take. I have assured colleagues that we will learn from these results and take positive action over the coming months and years.”