The March staff survey focused on Workload and Work Relationships.
A survey was created and sent to 110 staff in March 2009, with 60 responding. The
response rate of 55% is considered to be very good.
The survey was entirely based on questions selected from RRC’s Health and Well-Being
survey (fielded in 2000 and 2005). The survey covered the following topics:
•
Staff perceptions of their workload;
•
How much influence staff have over their work;
•
How much “harmony” there is within one’s work group (inter-group harmony) and
other work groups (intra-group harmony); and
•
How much integration there is between co-workers within one’s work group.
Results are broken down by the following job classifications – instructor,
supervisor/manager, professional / technical, and administrative support.
Highlights of the survey include:
•
In general, most staff report having a heavy to moderate workload.
About
48% of staff say they “very often” have a “great deal of work to be done”, while 45%
say they “very often” have to “work very hard”. Supervisors / Managers and
professional/ technical staff report having the heaviest workloads.
•
Most staff say they have enough time to complete their work.
About 57% of
staff say they have “a moderate amount” of time to complete all their work, while
14% say they have “much” or “very much” time. However, just under a third of staff
(30%) say they have “little” or “very little” time to complete their work.
•
Two-thirds of staff report having influence over the order they complete
their work.
Of all the groups, supervisors and managers have the most influence
and control over their workload and work environment, whereas instructors report
having the least influence.
•
Most staff can rely on their co-workers to help them when needed
. Some
83% of staff say that coworkers would help them if they got into difficulties, while
76% say they trust their coworkers will “lend a hand” when needed.
•
Intra-group relationships get “neutral” ratings (neither good, nor bad)
.
Most questions relating to intra-group relationships had a mean rating of “3”. Given
that many staff work primarily or exclusively with others in their program, they
may have no need and/or opportunity to work with others.
•
College staff are good at exchanging opinions and ideas with co-workers.
Among the groups, instructors reported doing this to the greatest extent.
•
In general, information about important events is not “widely exchanged”
at the College.
This item rated the lowest (2.8 out of 5) among the 5 questions
Please rate how often the following occurs in your job:
Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Mean
How often is there a great deal to be done? 29 48% 19 32% 10 17% 1 2% 1 2%
4.2
How often does your job require you to work very hard?
27 45% 22 37% 8 13% 2 3% 1 2%
4.2
How often does your job leave you with little time to get things done?
19 32% 15 25% 22 37% 3 5% 1 2%
3.8
Total
Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean
How often is there a great deal to be done? 28 4.1 12 4.5 7 4.4 8 4.3 4.2
How often does your job require you to work very hard? 28 4.1 12 4.5 7 4.4 8 4.0 4.2 Never (1) Instructor Supervisor/ manager Professional/ technical Administrative support
Very often (5) Fairly often Sometimes Occasionally
hard?
How often does your job leave you with little time to get things done?
Please rate how often the following occurs in your job:
5
point
scale
:
5="Very
Often"
and
1
=
"Never"
3 0 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.4 4.6
How often is there a great deal to
be done? 3.0 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.4 4.6
How often is there a great deal to
be done?
How often does your job require
you to work very hard? How often does your job leave you
with little time to get things done?
The following questions are about your workload:
Count % Count % Count % Count % Count %
How much workload do you have? 23 38% 23 38% 13 22% 1 2% 0 0%
4.1
What quantity of work do others expect you to do? 18 31% 26 44% 14 24% 1 2% 0 0%
4.0
How many lulls between heavy workload periods do you have?
0 0% 1 2% 19 32% 16 27% 23 39%
4.0
R
How many projects, assignments or tasks do you have?
20 34% 21 36% 17 29% 1 2% 0 0%
4.0
How much time do you have to do all your work? 1 2% 7 12% 34 57% 12 20% 6 10%
3.3
R
S i / P f i l/ Ad i i t ti
Very much (5) Much A moderate
amount Little Very little (1)
Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean
How much workload do you have? 28 4.0 12 4.5 7 4.4 8 3.9 59 4.1
What quantity of work do others expect you to do? 28 3.9 12 4.3 7 4.3 8 4.0 59 4.0
* How many lulls between heavy workload periods do you have?
28 4.0 12 4.4 7 4.1 8 4.0 59 4.0 R
How many projects, assignments or tasks do you have?
28 4.0 12 4.3 7 4.1 8 3.9 59 4.0
* How much time do you have to do all your work? 28 3.3 12 3.3 7 3.7 8 2.9 59 3.3 R
Instructor Supervisor/ manager Professional/ technical Administrative support Total
The following questions are about your workload:
5
point
scale
:
5="Very
Much"
and
1
=
"Very
Little"
Note:
Items
marked
with
an
"*"
have
had
their
scales
reversed
to
make
the
ratings
comparable.
3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.4 4.6
How much workload do you have?
What quantity of work do others
expect you to do? * How much time do you have to
do all your work?
3.0 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.4 4.6
How much workload do you have?
What quantity of work do others
expect you to do?
* How many lulls between heavy
workload periods do you have? How many projects, assignments or
tasks do you have? * How much time do you have to
do all your work?
Count % Count % Count % Count % Count %
The order in which you perform tasks at work? 16 27% 23 39% 15 25% 3 5% 2 3%
3.8
The arrangement and decoration of your work area? 13 24% 11 20% 12 22% 10 19% 8 15%
3.2
The availability of supplies and equipment you need to do your work?
10 18% 13 23% 18 32% 5 9% 11 19%
3.1
The availability of materials you need to do your work?
8 14% 14 25% 17 30% 9 16% 9 16%
3.1
The pace of your work, that is how fast or slow you work?
8 14% 14 24% 19 32% 7 12% 11 19%
3.0
The amount of work you do? 6 10% 10 17% 20 34% 13 22% 10 17%
2.8
The following questions are about the control and influence you have over your workload and
work environment: How much influence do you have over…?
Very much Much A moderate
amount Little Very little
.8
The hours or schedule that you work? 6 10% 12 21% 14 24% 8 14% 18 31%
2.7
The decisions as to when things will be done in your work unit?
5 8% 14 24% 13 22% 9 15% 18 31%
2.6
The policies, procedures, and performance in your work unit?
2 3% 13 22% 7 12% 20 34% 16 28%
2.4
The training of other workers in your unit? 6 11% 7 13% 10 18% 11 20% 22 39%
2.4
The decisions concerning which individuals in your work unit do which tasks?
Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean
The order in which you perform tasks at work? 28 3.7 12 4.1 7 3.6 8 3.9 59 3.8
The arrangement and decoration of your work area? 28 2.8 12 3.7 7 3.1 8 3.4 59 3.2
The availability of supplies and equipment you need to do your work?
28 2.7 12 3.6 7 3.1 8 3.5 59 3.1
The availability of materials you need to do your work?
28 2.7 12 3.9 7 2.7 8 3.1 59 3.1
The pace of your work, that is how fast or slow you work?
28 2.9 12 3.7 7 2.4 8 3.3 59 3.0
The amount of work you do? 28 2.8 12 3.5 7 1.7 8 3.3 59 2.8
The following questions are about the control and influence you have over your workload and
work environment: How much influence do you have over…?
Instructor Supervisor/ manager Professional/ technical Administrative support Total
The amount of work you do? 28 2.8 12 3.5 7 1.7 8 3.3 59 2.8
The hours or schedule that you work? 28 2.4 12 3.7 7 2.6 8 2.9 59 2.7
The decisions as to when things will be done in your work unit?
28 2.2 12 3.8 7 3.0 8 2.9 59 2.6
The policies, procedures, and performance in your work unit?
28 2.0 12 3.8 7 2.0 8 2.5 59 2.4
The training of other workers in your unit? 28 1.6 12 4.0 7 3.0 8 2.0 59 2.4
The decisions concerning which individuals in your work unit do which tasks?
5
point
scale
:
5="Very
Much"
and
1
=
"Very
Little"
Note:
Items
marked
with
an
"*"
have
had
their
scales
reversed
to
make
the
ratings
comparable.
The following questions are about the control and influence you have over your workload
and work environment: How much influence do you have over…?
1 0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5
The order in which you perform
tasks at work?
The arrangement and decoration of
your work area?
The availability of supplies and
equipment you need to do your … The training of other workers in
your unit?
The decisions concerning which
individuals in your work unit do …
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5
The order in which you perform
tasks at work?
The arrangement and decoration of
your work area?
The availability of supplies and
equipment you need to do your …
The availability of materials you
need to do your work?
The pace of your work, that is how
fast or slow you work? The amount of work you do?
The hours or schedule that you
work? The decisions as to when things will
be done in your work unit? The policies, procedures, and
performance in your work unit? The training of other workers in
your unit?
The decisions concerning which
individuals in your work unit do …
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements as they apply to RRC?
Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Mean
Most of my coworkers would continue their work even if supervisors were not around.
25 42% 22 37% 8 14% 3 5% 1 2%
4.1
If I got into difficulties at work I know my coworkers would try and help.
16 28% 32 55% 10 17% 0 0% 0 0%
4.1
Most of my coworkers can be relied upon to do what they say they will do.
13 22% 32 54% 12 20% 1 2% 1 2%
3.9
I can trust the people I work with to lend me a hand if I need it.
13 22% 32 54% 10 17% 4 7% 0 0%
3.9
In my group, we have lots of bickering over who should do what job. *
1 2% 4 7% 16 28% 19 33% 17 30%
3.8
R
I have full confidence in the skills of my coworkers 14 24% 29 49% 8 14% 7 12% 1 2%
3 8
Strongly Agree
(5) Agree
Neither Agree
nor Disagree Disagree
Strongly Disagree (1)
I have full confidence in the skills of my coworkers. 14 24% 29 49% 8 14% 7 12% 1 2%
3.8
I can rely on other employees not to make my job more difficult by careless work.
9 15% 25 42% 12 20% 10 17% 3 5%
3.5
There is harmony in my group. 11 19% 23 39% 8 14% 14 24% 3 5%
3.4
There is dissention in my group. * 3 5% 12 21% 20 36% 8 14% 13 23%
3.3 R
There is co-operation between my group and other groups.
2 3% 22 38% 24 41% 9 16% 1 2%
3.3
The relationship between my group and other groups is harmonious in attaining the overall organizational goals.
2 3% 21 36% 25 43% 6 10% 4 7%
3.2
There is agreement between my group and other groups.
3 5% 14 25% 28 50% 10 18% 1 2%
3.1
There is a lack of mutual assistance between my group and other groups. *
2 4% 13 24% 22 41% 14 26% 3 6%
3.1
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements as they apply to RRC?
Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean
Most of my coworkers would continue their work even if supervisors were not around.
28 4.3 12 3.9 7 3.4 8 4.3 59 4.1
If I got into difficulties at work I know my coworkers would try and help.
28 4.2 12 3.9 7 3.7 8 3.9 59 4.1
Most of my coworkers can be relied upon to do what they say they will do.
28 3.9 12 3.9 7 3.9 8 3.9 59 3.9
I can trust the people I work with to lend me a hand if I need it.
28 4.0 12 3.7 7 3.6 8 3.9 59 3.9
* In my group, we have lots of bickering over who should do what job.
28 3.9 12 3.8 7 3.9 8 3.6 59 3.8
R
I have full confidence in the skills of my coworkers. 28 3.7 12 3.7 7 4.0 8 4.0 59 3.8
Instructor Supervisor/ manager Professional/ technical Administrative support Total
I can rely on other employees not to make my job more difficult by careless work.
28 3.4 12 3.6 7 3.0 8 3.8 59 3.5
There is harmony in my group. 28 3.5 12 3.3 7 3.3 8 3.4 59 3.4
* There is dissention in my group. 28 3.3 12 3.4 7 2.7 8 3.3 59 3.3
R
There is co-operation between my group and other groups.
28 3.0 12 3.3 7 3.7 8 3.6 59 3.3
The relationship between my group and other groups is harmonious in attaining the overall organizational goals.
28 3.1 12 3.2 7 3.3 8 3.6 59 3.2
There is agreement between my group and other groups.
28 3.0 12 3.1 7 3.1 8 4.1 59 3.1
* There is a lack of mutual assistance between my group and other groups.
28 3.0 12 2.8 7 3.0 8 3.9 59 3.1
5
point
scale
:
5="Strongly
Agree"
and
1
=
"Strongly
Disagree"
Note:
Items
marked
with
an
"*"
have
had
their
scales
reversed
to
make
the
ratings
comparable.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements as they apply to RRC?
3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 Most of my coworkers would continue their work even if supervisors were not around. If I got into difficulties at work I know my coworkers would try and help. Most of my coworkers can be relied upon to do what they say they will do. I can trust the people I work with to lend me a hand if I need it The relationship between my group and other groups is harmonious in attaining the overall organizational There is agreement between my group and other groups. * There is a lack of mutual assistance between my group and other groups. 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 Most of my coworkers would continue their work even if supervisors were not around. If I got into difficulties at work I know my coworkers would try and help. Most of my coworkers can be relied upon to do what they say they will do. I can trust the people I work with to lend me a hand if I need it. * In my group, we have lots of bickering over who should do what job. I have full confidence in the skills of my coworkers. I can rely on other employees not to make my job more difficult by careless work. There is harmony in my group. * There is dissention in my group. There is co‐operation between my group and other groups. The relationship between my group and other groups is harmonious in attaining the overall organizational goals. There is agreement between my group and other groups. * There is a lack of mutual assistance between my group and other groups.
Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Count % Do you have confidence and trust in the members of
your work group?
7 11.9% 22 37.3% 26 44.1% 2 3.4% 2 3.4% 0 .0% 3.5
Do members of your work group exchange opinions and ideas?
10 16.9% 21 35.6% 19 32.2% 4 6.8% 4 6.8% 1 1.7% 3.5
Do members of your work group plan together and coordinate their efforts?
7 11.9% 16 27.1% 21 35.6% 7 11.9% 6 10.2% 2 3.4% 3.2
Do members of your work group take responsibility for resolving disagreements and working out acceptable solutions?
8 13.8% 13 22.4% 24 41.4% 3 5.2% 9 15.5% 1 1.7% 3.1
Is information about important events widely exchanged within your work group?
6 10.2% 18 30.5% 20 33.9% 7 11.9% 6 10.2% 2 3.4% 2.8
To what extent ...?
To a very great extent
To a great
extent To some extent To a little extent
To a very little
extent Don't Know
Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean Count Mean
Do you have confidence and trust in the members of your work group?
28 3.5 12 3.5 7 3.3 8 3.4 59 3.5
Do members of your work group exchange opinions and ideas?
28 3.7 12 3.3 7 3.4 8 3.1 59 3.5
Do members of your work group plan together and coordinate their efforts?
28 3.4 12 3.3 7 2.9 8 2.6 59 3.2
Do members of your work group take responsibility for resolving disagreements and working out acceptable solutions?
28 3.3 12 3.3 7 3.1 8 2.3 59 3.1
Is information about important events widely exchanged within your work group?
28 2.9 12 2.9 7 2.0 8 2.5 59 2.8 Instructor Supervisor/ manager Professional/ technical Administrative support Total
5
point
scale
:
5="To
a
very
great
extent"
and
1
=
"To
a
very
little
extent"
To what extent ...?
2.5 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.9Do you have confidence and trust
in the members of your work
group?
Do members of your work group
exchange opinions and ideas? Is information about important
events widely exchanged within
your work group?
2.5 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.9
Do you have confidence and trust
in the members of your work
group?
Do members of your work group
exchange opinions and ideas?
Do members of your work group
plan together and coordinate their
efforts? Do members of your work group
take responsibility for resolving
disagreements and working out
acceptable solutions? Is information about important
events widely exchanged within
your work group?
Category
Count
Management not connected to front‐lines
6
Too much work / short‐deadlines4
Poor workspace / work environment3
Not classified right given responsibilities3
Work load is variable / no control (driven externally)2
Not enough supplies2
Inequitable work distribution2
Micro management
1
More team decision making
1
Staff interruptions
1
Do
you
have
any
other
comments
about
the
control
and
influence
you
have
over
your
workload
and/or
work
environment?
More staff training
1
Work driven by collective agreement1
Changes take forever to implement1
Category
Count
Problem with some staff in group
5
Poor leadership / don't trust4
Don't feel part of a group3
More collaboration needed2
Management does not consult2
Promotion in department based on self‐interest1
Do
you
have
any
other
comments
about
how
members
in
your
work
group
function
as
a
team?
2009 2005 2001
Please rate how often the following occurs in your job:
5 point scale : 5="Very Often" and 1 = "Never"
There a great deal to be done? 4.2 4.0 4.1
Your job require you to work very hard? 4.2 4.1 4.3
Your job leave you with little time to get things done? 3.8 3.5 3.7
The following questions are about your workload:
5 point scale : 5="Very Much" and 1 = "Very Little"
How much work load do you have? 4.1 4.0 4.1
What quantity of work do others expect you to do? 4.0 3.9 4.0
How many lulls between heavy work load periods do you have? 4.0 3.7 3.8
R
How many projects, assignments or tasks do you have? 4.0 3.8 3.9
How much work time do you to do all your work? 3.3 3.0 3.1
R
5 point scale : 5="Very Much" and 1 = "Very Little"
The order in which you perform tasks at work? 3.8 4.0 3.9
The arrangement and decoration of your work area? 3.2 3.3 3.2
The availability of supplies and equipment you need to do your work? 3.1 3.4 3.4
The availability of materials you need to do your work? 3.1 3.2 3.2
The pace of your work, that is how fast or slow you work? 3.0 4.0 3.3
The amount of work you do? 2.8 3.3 3.4
The hours or schedule that you work? 2.7 3.3 2.9
The decisions as to when things will be done in your work unit? 2.6 3.5 2.4
Survey
The following questions are about the control and influence you have over your workload and work environment: How much influence do you have over…?
5 point scale : 5="Strongly Agree" and 1 = "Strongly Disagree"
Note: Items marked with an "*" have had their scales reversed to make the ratings comparable.
Most of my coworkers would continue their work even if supervisors were not
around. 4.1 4.0 4.1
If I got into difficulties at work I know my coworkers would try and help. 4.1 4.0 3.9
Most of my coworkers can be relied upon to do what they say they will do.
3.9 3.9 4.0
I can trust the people I work with to lend me a hand if I need it. 3.9 3.9 4.0
In my group, we have lots of bickering over who should do what job. * 3.8 3.8 3.9
R
I have full confidence in the skills of my coworkers. 3.8 3.6 3.6
I can rely on other employees not to make my job more difficult by careless work.
3.5 3.5 3.5
There is harmony in my group. 3.4 3.4 3.4
There is dissention in my group. * 3.3 3.4 3.5
R
There is co-operation between my group and other groups. 3.3 3.4 3.4
The relationship between my group and other groups is harmonious in attaining
the overall organizational goals. 3.2 3.3 3.2
There is agreement between my group and other groups. 3.1 3.2 3.3
There is a lack of mutual assistance between my group and other groups. *
3.1 3.2 3.2
R
5 point scale : 5="To a very great extent" and 1 = "To a very little extent"
Do you have confidence and trust in the members of your work group? 3.5 3.6 3.6
Do members of your work group exchange opinions and ideas? 3.5 3.5 3.6
Do members of your work group plan together and coordinate their efforts?
3.2 3.2 3.3
Do members of your work group take responsibility for resolving disagreements
and working out acceptable solutions? 3.1 3.2 3.2
Is information about important events widely exchanged within your work group?
