2022 Results

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The UNC System Employee Engagement Survey, administered to full-time, permanent faculty and staff in March and April of 2022, measured employee satisfaction in nine broad areas ranging from performance management and supervisor effectiveness to institutional pride and diversity. Forty-five percent of NC State employees responded.

NC State’s overall average rating on the survey was more favorable than the UNC System average, and similar to the overall average rating for the four-year public institutions that participated in the 2022 Great Colleges to Work For survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Ratings for two-thirds of the 30 belief statements fall in the “excellent to very good” or “good” range.

Eight specific items on the survey received favorable ratings from at least 75% of employees across all job categories:

  • I understand how my job contributes to this institution’s mission.
  • I am given the responsibility and freedom to do my job.
  • The work I do is meaningful to me.
  • In my department, we welcome diversity in all of its forms.
  • My supervisor/department chair shows genuine interest in my well-being.
  • My job makes good use of my skills and abilities.
  • In my department, we are adapting well to changes in work conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • I am given the opportunity to develop my skills at this institution.

For no belief statements are ratings considered “acute.” However, three are considered to warrant attention:

  • Promotions in my department are based on a person’s performance (negative response rate averaged 26%).
  • There’s a sense that we’re all on the same team at this institution (negative response rate averaged 20%).
  • This institution’s policies and practices ensure fair treatment for faculty, administration and staff (positive response rate averaged 54%).

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% of employees gave a favorable response, that does not mean the remaining 30% gave an unfavorable rating. Typically, a large number of respondents who did not give a favorable rating selected the neutral response.

These summaries are for respondents overall, not broken down by demographics such as age, race or gender.

As in previous engagement surveys, statements related to job satisfaction and support received highly favorable responses in 2022, with an average of 80% agreeing or strongly agreeing with the four statements in this topic area.

Eighty-four percent agreed or strongly agreed that they are given the responsibility and freedom to do their job, and 82% said the work they do is meaningful to them. Seventy-eight percent said their job makes good use of their skills and abilities, and 75% said they have the opportunity to develop their skills.

Negative responses in this area averaged just 5% overall.

Statements related to faculty and staff well-being were included in the survey for the first time this year, with encouraging results.

Seventy-nine percent agreed or strongly agreed that their supervisor shows a genuine interest in their well-being, and 68% said the university works to protect health and safety on campus.

The university could do more to educate employees about mental health resources on campus. While two-thirds said they know where to go for help with their mental or emotional well-being, 16% disagreed or strongly disagreed.

This topic area had an average overall positive rating of 55%, the lowest of all nine topic areas. Only 47% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “Promotions in my department are based on a person’s performance.” Twenty-seven percent had neutral responses, while 26% disagreed or strongly disagreed.

Another statement related to fairness also got a relatively low positive rating. Only 54% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “This institution’s policies and practices ensure fair treatment for faculty, administration and staff.” Twenty-nine percent had neutral responses, while 17% disagreed or strongly disagreed.

The rating was more positive for the statement, “There is appropriate recognition of innovative and high-quality teaching,” with 64% agreeing or strongly agreeing. Twenty-three percent had neutral responses, while 13% disagreed or strongly disagreed.

Employees continued to express confidence in their supervisors and department chairs, with statements in this area averaging a 72% positive rating. Sixty-nine percent said their supervisors give useful feedback, 73% said they are consistent and fair, and 74% said they have clear expectations. Overall, only 10% had negative responses in this area.

This topic area had an average overall positive rating of 59%, one of only two areas below 60% overall.

Still, two statements received relatively high positive ratings. Sixty-six percent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “Faculty are appropriately involved in decisions related to the education program (e.g., curriculum development, evaluation).” Sixty-five percent agreed or strongly agreed, “When I offer a new idea, I believe it will be fully considered.”

Only 47% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “There’s a sense that we’re all on the same team at this institution.” Thirty-three percent had neutral responses, while 20% disagreed or strongly disagreed.

This year, the survey included more statements related to diversity, inclusion and belonging, with mixed results. Fully 80% of all respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their department welcomes diversity in all its forms, and 70% said NC State is committed to building a culture that actively promotes diversity and inclusion.

A smaller percentage — 63% — said the university is “making good and measurable progress towards becoming a more diverse and inclusive institution.”

As they have in previous surveys, employees expressed a strong sense of pride in NC State, with 89% agreeing or strongly agreeing with the statement, “I understand how my job contributes to this institution’s mission.” Seventy-one percent agreed or strongly agreed that, “All things considered, this is a great place to work.”

But employees don’t necessarily consider their work environment unique. Just 56% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “This institution’s culture is special — something you don’t find just anywhere.” Twenty-eight percent had neutral responses, while 16% disagreed or strongly disagreed.

Confidence in university leadership remained largely unchanged, with 65% agreeing or strongly agreeing that the institution is well run, and 59% saying senior leaders provide clear direction for the university’s future.

Overall, nearly three-quarters of survey respondents supported the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-eight percent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “In my department, we are adapting well to changes in work conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.” Seventy-two percent agreed or strongly agreed that NC State “communicated clear policies and guidelines to assist faculty/staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.” And 71% said NC State’s response to the pandemic was appropriate.

Overall, only 8% had negative responses in this area.


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