About the 2016 Employee Survey

The first Cornell Employee Survey in 2011 was a response to a resolution from the Employee Assembly calling for a study to better understand staff engagement. This second administration of the survey was administered from October 6 to November 28, 2016 to nonacademic staff and librarians. Sixty-eight percent of invited employees responded to the survey, with 4309 surveys submitted over the web and 523 surveys submitted on paper. The survey had 62 multiple-choice questions and one open-ended item. The median completion time for the web-based survey was about 9 minutes.

Overall Satisfaction

Overall, how satisfied are you with your job at Cornell?

The percentage of Cornell employees who are satisfied has been quite consistent at about 80%. • 81% of Employee Survey respondents were at least somewhat satisfied with their jobs in 2016 • 80% of Employee Survey respondents were at least somewhat satisfied with their jobs in 2011 • 80% of academics responding to the Academic Work Life Survey were similarly satisfied

Note: The 2011 Employee Survey included academic professionals. The 2016 Employee Survey included librarians, but other academics were included in 2016 Academic Work Life Survey and not the 2016 Employee Survey.

41.2%

41.7%

42.4%

39.2%

38.2%

38.1%

80.4%

79.9%

80.5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2016 Academic Work Life Survey

2011 Employee Survey

Staff 2016

Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Total

2016 Employee Survey

Very satisfied

38%

Somewhat satisfied

42%

Neither6%

Somewhat dissatisfied

11%

Very dissatisfied

3%

Page 1

Your Job

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (“Not applicable” responses excluded.)

Red Tape

To what extent does completing unnecessary bureaucratic tasks (e.g. “red tape”) get in the way of doing your job?

Career Development

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (“Not applicable” responses excluded.)

Note: Due to space constraints in this document, question wording has been truncated in some cases. For actual question wording, please http://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/CUEmployee16-FINAL.pdf

9%

11%

13%

15%

14%

13%

21%

25%

31%

27%

34%

40%

38%

43%

41%

41%

46%

50%

54%

51%

48%

53%

48%

45%

47%

54%

54%

56%

60%

63%

75%

76%

79%

80%

82%

85%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Workloads are distributed fairly in my unit

I have enough time to do high-quality work

I am compensated fairly for the work I do

My department or unit is improving processes for doing…

My current title and job description are accurate

My workload is manageable

I have the equipment I need

My training has adequately prepared me…

I would recommend Cornell as a good place to work

My physical working conditions are satisfactory

I do work beyond what is expected in my job

My work is interesting

Strongly agree Agree Series3

11% 21% 32%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Extent to which "red tape" gets in the way

Not at all A little

8%

10%

13%

20%

18%

34%

29%

28%

31%

35%

36%

47%

41%

58%

36%41%

48%56%

65%76%

86%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

I am satisfied with my opportunities for promotion

I can provide feedback about my supervisor's performance

My unit does well retaining its most talented employees

If I had an opportunity elsewhere, I would stay at Cornell

My performance reviews provide useful feedback

My supervisor supports my professional development

My performance reviews are conducted regularly

Strongly agree Agree

Page 2

Respect & Fairness

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (“Not applicable” responses excluded.)

Leadership & Direction

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (“Not applicable” responses excluded.)

Note: Due to space constraints in this document, question wording has been truncated in some cases. For actual question wording, please http://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/CUEmployee16-FINAL.pdf

5%

9%

12%

13%

12%

22%

21%

35%

32%

43%

29%

38%

42%

46%

49%

46%

48%

46%

50%

40%

34%

47%

54%

59%

61%

68%

69%

81%

82%

83%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Across units, policies are administered fairly

Cornell recognizes the contributions of staff

I am satisfied with my involvement in work decisions

Within my unit, policies are administered fairly

Staff are treated with respect at Cornell

I feel like I belong at Cornell

Cornell makes a strong effort to attract diverse employees

Offensive behaviors are not tolerated

I am treated fairly, without regard to my race, gender,…

My supervisor treats me with respect

Strongly agree Agree

4%

3%

4%

5%

5%

8%

9%

11%

15%

19%

33%

24%

28%

36%

36%

36%

46%

52%

52%

49%

49%

45%

28%

31%

39%

41%

41%

54%

61%

63%

64%

68%

78%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

The Employee Assembly represents my interests

I [do not] hear about university plans via rumors

I have a clear understanding of the goals and…

University leadership has a clear vision for the future

University leadership is interested in hearing from…

I think Cornell is moving in a positive direction

I trust communication from university leadership

I understand how my work contributes to strategic…

I trust communication from unit leadership

Senior leadership in my unit promotes diversity

I trust communications from my supervisor

Strongly agree Agree

Page 3

Recent organizational changes have…

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (“Not applicable” responses excluded.)

Life Outside the University

To what extent are the following sources of stress for you? (“Not applicable” responses included in denominator.)

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (“Not applicable” responses excluded.)

Note: Due to space constraints in this document, question wording has been truncated in some cases. For actual question wording, please http://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/CUEmployee16-FINAL.pdf

8% 27%

16%

21%

24%

35%

19%

27%

29%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

… increased the amount of "red tape" I deal with

… helped the university spend money more wisely

… created new opportunities for me

… had a positive impact on the work I do

Strongly agree Agree

10%

14%

17%

13%

28%

11%

18%

27%

33%

35%

20%

32%

44%

47%

63%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Child care

Care of someone who is ill, disabled, or aging

Concern about the security of job at Cornell

Concern about own health

Personal finances and/or debt

A great deal Some

10%

12%

28%

16%

51%

52%

45%

57%

61%

64%

73%

73%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

The university helps staff balance work & family

I can find information concerning policies and benefits

My supervisor helps staff balance work & family

The university's benefit programs meet my needs

Strongly agree Agree

Page 4

Percent of employees responding "agree" or "strongly agree." Excludes responses of "not applicable."

Percent of employees responding "somewhat satisfied" or "very satisfied." Excludes responses of "not applicable."

Total number of survey respondents.Response rates for individual survey items may vary.

Percent of employees responding "agree" or "strongly agree." Excludes responses of "not applicable."

Percent of employees responding "agree" or "strongly agree." Excludes responses of "not applicable."

Percent of employees responding "agree" or "strongly agree." Excludes responses of "not applicable."

Percent of employees responding "Not at all," "a lile," or "not applicable."

Percent of employees responding "agree" or "strongly agree." Excludes responses of "not applicable."

Percent of employees responding "agree" or "strongly agree." Excludes responses of "not applicable."