Skip to main content
University Human Resources

2018 Results

Home
About the Survey
2022 Results
Action Plan
Committee
FAQs
View Survey

The UNC System Employee Engagement Survey, administered to senior leadership, faculty and staff in January and February 2018, measured employee satisfaction in 15 broad areas ranging from professional development and compensation to communication and fairness. Fifty-four percent of NC State employees responded. View a PowerPoint presentation with more information about the survey results.

NC State’s overall average rating on the survey was slightly more favorable than the UNC System average and was similar to the overall average rating for the four-year public institutions that participated in the 2017 Great Colleges to Work For survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

For none of the 15 topical areas did NC State’s overall ratings fall in the “poor” or “warrants attention” classification. Three areas were classified as “very good to excellent” (Pride, Facilities and Job Satisfaction/Support), with about three-fourths of employees overall giving favorable ratings to each. Another three areas (Supervisor/Department Chairs, Professional Development and Teaching Environment), were rated “good” by about two-thirds of employees.

A majority of NC State employees gave a favorable response of “strongly agree” or “agree” to 53 of the 60 specific aspects of work that were surveyed. Seven specific items on the survey received favorable ratings from at least 75 percent of employees across all job categories:

  • I am given the responsibility and freedom to do my job.
  • My supervisor/department chair supports my efforts to balance my work and personal life.
  • This institution takes reasonable steps to provide a safe and secure environment for the campus.
  • This institution actively contributes to the community.
  • I understand how my job contributes to this institution’s mission.
  • I am proud to be part of this institution.
  • I have a good relationship with my supervisor/department chair.

The survey also revealed challenges and opportunities. Similar to other institutions in the UNC system, NC State employees gave notably lower ratings than did employees at other four-year institutions participating in the Great Colleges to Work For survey in the areas of Shared Governance; Compensation, Benefits and Work/Life Balance; and Respect and Appreciation.

Overall, 20 percent or more of NC State employees gave an unfavorable rating of “strongly disagree” or “disagree” to six of the 60 items on the survey:

  • I am paid fairly for my work.
  • My department has adequate faculty/staff to achieve our goals.
  • Changes that affect me are discussed prior to being implemented.
  • Promotions in my department are based on a person’s ability.
  • Issues of low performance are addressed in my department.
  • Our recognition and rewards programs are meaningful to me.

The survey also revealed differences in satisfaction between demographic groups. For example:

  • Women are less likely than men to be satisfied in the areas of Communication and Fairness.
  • There are large differences between employees from different racial groups in their perceptions of Faculty, Administration and Staff Relations.
  • Faculty and SHRA employees are generally less satisfied than EHRA employees.
  • Non-tenure-track faculty are less satisfied with Professional Development Opportunities than are faculty on the tenure track.
  • Employees who have been working at NC State for five years or less give more favorable ratings in the areas of Respect and Appreciation and Job Satisfaction/Support than do those who have been here longer.

Selected Results by Topical Area

Below we provide brief summaries of responses to various specific items surveyed in the questionnaire, grouped by topic area. Response options included a “sometimes agree and sometimes disagree” option. Therefore, it is important to remember that if, for example, 70 percent of employees gave a favorable response, that does not mean the remaining 30 percent gave an unfavorable rating. Typically, a large number of respondents who did not give a favorable rating selected the neutral response.

Overall, 78 percent of employees say their jobs make good use of their skills, and 84 percent say they are given the freedom to do their jobs. However, 11 percent say they don’t have the resources they need to be effective.

Overall, 77 percent say NC State has a good balance of teaching, service and research. But 17 percent overall — and 24 percent of faculty — say teaching is not appropriately recognized in the evaluation and promotion process.

Overall, 77 percent of employees say they are given the opportunity to develop their skills. But 17 percent overall — and about one-fourth of SHRA employees — report that they don’t understand the necessary requirements to advance their careers.

Overall, 73 percent say NC State gives them the flexibility to manage their work and personal life, and 83 percent say their supervisors support their efforts to do so. Sixty percent say NC State’s benefits meet their needs. But 34 percent believe they are not paid fairly for their work.

When asked about specific benefits, at least two-thirds of employees indicated they are satisfied with leave and holidays (82 percent), retirement savings plans (72 percent), educational assistance programs 66 percent) and flexible work arrangements (66 percent). More than one-fourth of employees (27 percent), however, say they are dissatisfied with medical insurance plans, and 22 percent are dissatisfied with dental insurance plans.

Overall, 84 percent say NC State provides a safe and secure environment. But 12 percent say facilities do not adequately meet their needs.

Overall, 86 percent say NC State contributes to the community, and 73 percent say NC State places sufficient emphasis on diversity, although women, employees of color, and Hispanics are much less likely than their respective counterparts to give a favorable rating to diversity efforts. Sizable numbers of employees disagree that the review process accurately measures their job performance (19 percent) or that orientation programs prepare them to be effective (15 percent). One-third say staffing levels are not adequate to meet goals.

Overall, 68 percent of employees, including 65 percent of faculty, say faculty are appropriately involved in decisions related to academics. However, 20 percent of faculty disagree that the role of faculty in shared governance is clearly stated and publicized.

Overall, 83 percent are proud to be part of NC State, with 90 percent reporting that they understand how their work contributes to the university’s mission. At least three-fourths believe that NC State (76 percent) and their department (79 percent) are great places to work. Just 56 percent, however, believe that NC State’s culture is special.

Overall, 84 percent report that they have a good relationship with their supervisor or department chair. Seventy-six percent say their supervisor or department chair regularly models NC State’s values. At least two-thirds of employees say their supervisor makes expectations clear (74 percent), is consistent and fair (72 percent), solicits their suggestions (69 percent) and provides helpful feedback (68 percent). African-Americans, however, generally give slightly less favorable ratings to their supervisors than do white employees.

Overall, 74 percent say senior leadership has the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for institutional success, and 73 percent say senior leadership regularly models NC State’s values. Only 56 percent agree that senior leaders communicate openly about important matters, and 59 percent say senior leaders provide a clear direction for the future of the institution, while 13 percent and 15 percent, respectively, disagree that they do so.

Overall, 68 percent say faculty, administration and staff work together to achieve success, but only 52 percent say there is regular and open communication among faculty, administration and staff.

Overall, 64 percent say their ideas are fully considered, but only 46 percent say they are consulted before changes that affect them are implemented. SHRA nonexempt employees are especially likely to disagree that they are consulted about upcoming changes affecting their work (28 percent).

Overall, 68 percent say people in their departments work well together. But only 52 percent have a sense that we’re all on the same team at NC State, and only 57 percent say they can count on people to cooperate across departments.

Overall, 74 percent say NC State has clear and effective procedures for dealing with discrimination, and 63 percent say they can speak up without fear of harming their career. But nearly one-quarter of respondents say promotions are not based on ability and that issues of low performance are not adequately addressed. Women and employees of color give consistently less favorable ratings than men and white employees to items related to fairness.

While 77 percent of employees overall say people are supportive of their colleagues regardless of background or heritage, employees of color are less likely than white employees to agree that is the case. Two-thirds of employees overall say NC State celebrates milestones and important accomplishments, but only 39 percent say the recognition and rewards programs are meaningful to them, with 29 percent saying they are not meaningful. One in five say they are not regularly recognized for their contributions.

When asked to select from a list of reasons why they would consider leaving their current position, just over two-thirds of employees say they would do so for a “better or more competitive salary,” and 43 percent say they would do so for “better opportunities for career advancement.” Just 10 percent said they would consider leaving for a “better supervisory relationship.”