FAQ for Staff and Faculty

Who can take the survey?

The survey is open to people employed at UBC with faculty and staff appointments. It is not open to those employed with clinical and student appointments.

What is the survey about?

It is your opportunity to share your experience at UBC as a member of faculty or staff. The survey asks questions in areas that include opportunities for advancement, leadership, workloads, communications, and change in the workplace. For faculty, questions about tenure and promotion and research and teaching support are also included.

When is the survey open?

The survey is open Nov. 1-18, 2011. You are encouraged to take it during your regular work day, although you can take it online any time, from any location, provided you have an internet connection.

How long does it take to complete?

The survey is estimated to take about 15-20 minutes to complete. However, some people may require more time–perhaps up to an hour. The expectation is that faculty and staff will complete the survey during their regular work day. Therefore, those who require additional time to take the survey should be provided with sufficient time to do so.

Can I complete the online survey in more than one sitting?

We recommend completing the online survey in one sitting. If you need to pause while completing the online survey and wish to save your answers, ensure you keep your browser open because there is no “save” function. If you close your browser mid-session, you will need to start the survey again from the beginning .

Will it be possible to identify and link my responses back to me?

No, your responses are completely anonymous and confidential. The survey is being administered for UBC by Ipsos Reid, a third-party survey consultant in Canada. All responses to the online survey are collected on Ipsos Reid’s secure servers. Ipsos Reid will be generating results reports for individual departments and units and providing them to UBC. However, reports will be provided only if ten or more responses are received, in order to protect respondent identities.

Where is the server on which the survey data is being stored located?

The server that Ipsos Reid is using to store the survey data is located in Toronto. If you require more information about the server, please contact Ipsos Reid directly at ubcwes@ipsos-research.com.

Why should I take the survey?

The survey is your opportunity to share your experience at UBC anonymously and confidentially. Your feedback will be used to help with strategic planning and decisions about future programs and initiatives, both within your faculty, department, and unit as well as the University overall. Of course, decisions and choices can only be made based on the input captured in the survey. So, make sure your feedback is heard and take the survey.

Why is UBC conducting the Workplace Experiences Survey?

UBC has committed to conducting the Workplace Experiences Survey every two to three years because the opportunity for faculty and staff to provide feedback on their experience is necessary to foster an outstanding work environment at the University. Providing an outstanding work environment is one of the commitments in Place and Promise, UBC’s strategic plan. In order to build and sustain an outstanding work environment, we need to engage in conversations about what is working and opportunities to better support faculty and staff at the University.

I can’t find my department name in the question that asks me to select my department. What should I do?

If you typed in the first few letters of your department and it doesn’t appear in the list, try typing a word or letter combination associated with your department name. If the department name still doesn’t appear in the list, please contact Peter Godman for assistance: 604.822.8115 or peterg@hr.ubc.ca.

I have heard that CUPE 116 has asked its members not to participate in the survey. What should I do?

The University’s position is that everyone employed at the university has the right to choose whether they participate in the survey. Our hope is that CUPE 116 members will make their own individual decision about whether or not to take the survey. CUPE 116 also opposed the 2009 Workplace Experiences Survey, and the Labour Relations Board decision at the time indicated that the University is within its rights to communicate directly with its employees and to invite them to participate in a survey about their workplace experience.

Is it possible to complete the survey on a mobile device?

No, the survey will not display correctly on mobile devices.

What was done after the 2009 Workplace Experiences Survey?

The survey results helped to shape initiatives that support faculty and staff in various areas, including child care support, career frameworks, recognition for contributions to UBC and achievement, and relocation support for new faculty and staff hires. Find out more at http://www.focusonpeople.ubc.ca/workplace-experiences-survey/. In some cases, the survey results helped to validate that programs already underway were the right priorities. What is different about the 2011 Workplace Experiences Survey is that in addition to a UBC-wide report, the University will be automatically receiving survey reports for individual faculties, departments, and units. Having these reports will enable individual faculties, departments, and units to get a pulse on their faculty and staff experiences and help them to make decisions about future strategic priorities that will be most impactful for faculty and staff.

When will the survey results be available and how do I find out what the results are?

The survey results are expected to be available in early 2012, likely February. After the survey closes, Ipsos Reid will be analyzing all of the survey data and generating results reports for UBC overall and for individual faculties, departments, and units. Given the volume of data, this process is expected to take a few months. Once the results are ready, UBC is planning a Town Hall to share the results for the University overall, and faculty and staff are invited to attend. The University-wide results will also be posted on http://www.focusonpeople.ubc.ca. We expect that individual faculties, departments, and units will be sharing and discussing results with their faculty and staff.

Do other universities conduct surveys like this?

Yes, there are many universities that offer similar surveys for their faculty and staff. For example, the University of Toronto conducted one in the fall of 2010.

I’d like fill out a paper survey? How do I obtain a copy?

In Vancouver, email hrwebadm@hr.ubc.ca or call 604.822.8111, or pick up a copy in person from the HR Service Centre, General Services Administration Building, 350 – 2075 Wesbrook Mall (Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday). In the Okanagan, please contact HR at 250.807.8833. Paper surveys include a stamped, return envelope addressed to Ipsos Reid, so you can place your completed survey in the mail.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the survey?

For technical questions about the survey, please contact Ipsos Reid: UBCWES@ipsos-research.com. For all other questions related to the Workplace Experiences Survey, please contact Peter Godman: peter.godman@ubc.ca or 604.822.8115.