Missouri State University
PA-12: Assessing Employee Satisfaction

In 2017 the Missouri State University Staff Senate, in partnership with the Human Resources Office and the Office of Assessment, conducted a campus-wide staff satisfaction survey. The survey questions had been developed by the Staff Senate Executive Committee and were reviewed for feedback by the Human Resources Office as well as the Office of Assessment. The survey was comprised of 27 questions which covered areas of concern and interest ranging from: Personal Satisfaction; Team Satisfaction; Management Satisfaction; Benefits Satisfaction; Future Employment Considerations; and Overall Ranking of the Employer. The survey was advertised on the front page of the Missouri State University website, on the Staff Senate Blog, on the Employee Portal of the website, and in the university staff e-newsletter known as “Inside Missouri State.” 100% of active, full-time Springfield Campus staff members were encouraged to participate in the survey, which was completed electronically and available for 1 month. The survey saw a response rate of 44% survey completion. Results have been reported in aggregate, with individual responses stored securely for confidentiality purposes. The Committee on Faculty Concerns conducts a Faculty Morale survey every other year and presents their findings in the spring to the Faculty Senate. The Faculty Morale Survey reports faculty perceptions of university conditions that support faculty morale and university productivity. This survey is administered biennially, and is one way of meeting the Faculty Concerns Committee’s mission to serve as a board for continuous review of faculty rights and responsibilities, invite items of concern, and initiate and advocate for faculty and administrative discussions. Data collected over five survey periods (an eight-year span from 2008 to 2016) are reported. In 2016, depending upon the particular question, anywhere from 125 to 173 individuals responded to the 2016 survey. The Survey provides useful information to determine successes and improve conditions for faculty morale and university productivity. In addition, a Departmental Climate Conditions Survey was conducted to to inform respective departments and the general University community of the current working climate at Missouri State University as viewed by faculty. The Departmental Climate Conditions Survey was administered between 11/04/15 and 11/25/15. One hundred seventy eight (178) faculty members responded.

In response to the 2017 assessment results, university administration continued to recognize rate of pay as a central concern for a significant percentage of staff members. Even with budgetary constraints, the institution has committed to identifying measures to address this concern, whether this includes across the board salary increased or one-time payments. HR retooled the entire staff evaluation process to more efficiently, accurately, and fairly conduct annual employee evaluations. The reports on Faculty Morale are reported to Faculty Senate and also sent to the Provost and the University President. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee discusses the reports with the Provost and University President. Key findings, such as the recurring reports by faculty of excessive workload, are used to focus conversations and the Committee’s investigative efforts.

Faculty Survey: https://www.missouristate.edu/FacultySenate/Concerns-Committee.htm