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Valuable feedback from 6,000+ campus employees

In 2021, we administered our UK@Work employee engagement survey for the fourth time. More than 6,000 faculty and campus staff provided their feedback. Overall, scores have improved since 2019 in four categories, while declining across nine categories 

Notably, an overwhelming majority of our employees believe strongly in our mission, are proud to be associated with UK, feel a sense of community here and say they have colleagues they can lean on during difficult or stressful periods. 

UK Human Resources has shared survey data with individual college and administrative units. Each area will develop a plan for sharing unit-level results, as well as preparing and executing an action plan to respond to survey feedback. 

Highlights of the results and a link to a PDF overview can be found below.

Our strengths identified Top 5 items

88%
My Department Chair/Director/Supervisor: Treats me with respect
87%
My department colleagues usually get along well together.
87%
People in my department treat each other with respect.
86%
I believe strongly in the goals and mission of the University.
86%
My colleagues / the people I work with are willing to help each other, even if it means doing something outside their usual activities.

Areas for improvement Bottom 5 items

40%
From what I hear, our pay is as good as or better than the pay in similar institutions.
43%
I often worry about my current financial state. (N)
43%
The amount of stress I experience at work significantly reduces my effectiveness. (N)
45%
I think the University is doing a good job of retaining its most talented employees.
43%
I think action will be taken based on the problems identified in the survey.

Most improved since 2019

  2015 2017 2019 2021
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
 I think my work performance is evaluated fairly. 
70%
74%
76%
81%
Operating Effectively
In my opinion, decisions at UK are made in a timely manner. 
44%
44% 49% 54%
Working Relationships
People in my department treat each other with respect. 
79%
80%
84%
87%
performance evaluation
Where I work, my colleagues are accountable for following through on what they have promised.
68%
71%
74%
77%
COMMUNICATION
UK does an excellent job of keeping employees informed about matters affecting us. 
70%
67%
68%
71%

Least improved

  2015 2017 2019 2021
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
  I think the University is doing a good job of retaining its most talented employees.
42%
45%
53%
45%
Retention
At the present time, are you seriously considering leaving UK? 
66%
68% 70% 63%
Diversity & Inclusion
UK effectively addresses campus incidents of intolerance and bigotry. 
63%
68%
68%
62%
Sustainable Engagement
I am able to sustain the level of energy I need throughout the work day. 
79%
79%
77%
72%
Stress, Balance, & Workload
The amount of stress I experience at work significantly reduces my effectiveness. (N) 
55%
54%
48%
43%