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2019 People Strategy Listening Tour

In March, campus was introduced to the 2019 People Strategy and Listening Tour. Kicking off this effort with a 36-question anonymous survey, geared toward discovering Boise State’s level of campus engagement. In conjunction with the survey, Human Resources hosted focus groups aimed at discovering the elements that drive employee engagement in the workplace.

The survey was sent to 2,628 employees across campus. When the survey closed 1,364 employees responded, marking a 51% response rate. In addition, over 200 employees joined in live listening sessions.

As part of the survey, employees were given an opportunity to provide comments with respect to the areas they feel Boise State does well in, and the areas needing improvement. Human Resources is committed to using this data to work on initiatives focused on improving employee engagement.

What’s Going Well

The most positive responses revolved around pride in working for Boise State University, appreciation for colleagues, and signficance in how students are supported. Employees enjoy the benefits that Boise State provides, such as health insurance, retirement and tuition waivers. Additionally, most employees were happy with work-life balance and job flexibility.

Areas of Opportunity

The largest response for improvement related to employees wanting better compensation, inequities in pay and inconsistencies in job duties and job titles were also noted. Comments and survey results asked for more professional development, advancement opportunities and career pathing for employee growth.  Finally, a number of responses indicated inefficient processes and the creation of shadow systems to support outdated systems. These are a few areas of opportunity that can enhance the employee experience at Boise State.

The full results of the survey are available below.

2019 People Strategy Listening Tour Survey Results

I Know What is Expected of Me at Work

Strongly Agree: 30%

Agree: 45%

Somewhat Agree: 15%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 3%

Somewhat Disagree: 4%

Disagree: 2%

Strongly Disagree: 2%

I Have the Materials and Equipment I Need to do My Job

Strongly Agree: 19%

Agree: 40%

Somewhat Agree: 25%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 2%

Somewhat Disagree: 8%

Disagree: 4%

Strongly Disagree: 2%

I Have the Opportunity to do What I do Best Every Day at Work

Strongly Agree: 18%

Agree: 36%

Somewhat Agree: 25%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 6%

Somewhat Disagree: 8%

Disagree: 5%

Strongly Disagree: 3%

I Regularly Receive Recognition or Praise for Doing Good Work

Strongly Agree: 17%

Agree: 29%

Somewhat Agree: 21%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 10%

Somewhat Disagree: 8%

Disagree: 9%

Strongly Disagree: 6%

My Supervisor, or Someone at Work, Seems to Care About Me as a Person

Strongly Agree: 40%

Agree: 33%

Somewhat Agree: 13%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 6%

Somewhat Disagree: 4%

Disagree: 3%

Strongly Disagree: 2%

There is Someone at Work Who Encourages My Development

Strongly Agree: 24%

Agree: 32%

Somewhat Agree: 18%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 9%

Somewhat Disagree: 7%

Disagree: 7%

Strongly Disagree: 3%

At Work My Opinion Seems to Count

Strongly Agree: 19%

Agree: 33%

Somewhat Agree: 21%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 7%

Somewhat Disagree: 7%

Disagree: 5%

Strongly Disagree: 7%

The Mission of Boise State University Makes Me Feel that My Job is Important

Strongly Agree: 19%

Agree: 36%

Somewhat Agree: 19%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 13%

Somewhat Disagree: 5%

Disagree: 5%

Strongly Disagree: 2%

My Associates or Fellow Employees are Committed to Doing Quality Work

Strongly Agree: 25%

Agree: 42%

Somewhat Agree: 18%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 6%

Somewhat Disagree: 5%

Disagree: 3%

Strongly Disagree: 1%

I Have a Best Friend at Work

Strongly Agree: 11%

Agree: 21%

Somewhat Agree: 16%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 22%

Somewhat Disagree: 5%

Disagree: 18%

Strongly Disagree: 8%

Outside of Annual Performance Evaluations, in the Last Six Months, Someone has Talked to Me About My Progress

Strongly Agree: 13%

Agree: 28%

Somewhat Agree: 15%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 10%

Somewhat Disagree: 8%

Disagree: 16%

Strongly Disagree: 9%

This Year I Have Had the Opportunity to Learn and Grow at Work

Strongly Agree: 28%

Agree: 36%

Somewhat Agree: 17%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 8%

Somewhat Disagree: 4%

Disagree: 4%

Strongly Disagree: 2%

I Have Confidence in the Leadership and Direction Provided by Executive Leadership

Strongly Agree: 7%

Agree: 27%

Somewhat Agree: 25%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 17%

Somewhat Disagree: 10%

Disagree: 7%

Strongly Disagree: 6%

I am Proud to Work at Boise State University

Strongly Agree: 34%

Agree: 39%

Somewhat Agree: 12%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 9%

Somewhat Disagree: 3%

Disagree: 2%

Strongly Disagree: 1%

I Would Refer Someone to Work at Boise State

Strongly Agree: 27%

Agree: 40%

Somewhat Agree: 15%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 9%

Somewhat Disagree: 4%

Disagree: 3%

Strongly Disagree: 2%

I Believe Boise State Lives By Its Organizational Values

Strongly Agree: 6%

Agree: 30%

Somewhat Agree: 33%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 14%

Somewhat Disagree: 8%

Disagree: 5%

Strongly Disagree: 3%

I Have Confidence in the Leadership and Direction Provided By My Unit’s Leadership

Strongly Agree: 23%

Agree: 33%

Somewhat Agree: 17%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 8%

Somewhat Disagree: 7%

Disagree: 6%

Strongly Disagree: 6%

I Would Refer Someone to Work in My Area

Strongly Agree: 25%

Agree: 33%

Somewhat Agree: 16%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 9%

Somewhat Disagree: 7%

Disagree: 5%

Strongly Disagree: 4%

Knowledge and Information Sharing is Practiced Between My Co-Workers and Me

Strongly Agree: 26%

Agree: 35%

Somewhat Agree: 22%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 5%

Somewhat Disagree: 5%

Disagree: 5%

Strongly Disagree: 2%

My Unique Attributes, Traits, Characteristics, Skills, Experience and Background are Valued at Work

Strongly Agree: 21%

Agree: 34%

Somewhat Agree: 20%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 7%

Somewhat Disagree: 7%

Disagree: 6%

Strongly Disagree: 5%

I Have a Clear Understanding of My Career or Promotional Plan

Strongly Agree: 10%

Agree: 27%

Somewhat Agree: 20%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 12%

Somewhat Disagree: 11%

Disagree: 11%

Strongly Disagree: 9%

I Would Reapply to My Current Job if I Were Given the Chance

Strongly Agree: 24%

Agree: 32%

Somewhat Agree: 15%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 11%

Somewhat Disagree: 6%

Disagree: 6%

Strongly Disagree: 5%

I Foresee Myself Working at Boise State One Year from Now

Strongly Agree: 39%

Agree: 35%

Somewhat Agree: 10%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 9%

Somewhat Disagree: 2%

Disagree: 2%

Strongly Disagree: 3%

I Can Bring My Whole, Authentic Self to Work

Strongly Agree: 19%

Agree: 35%

Somewhat Agree: 19%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree: 7%

Somewhat Disagree: 8%

Disagree: 6%

Strongly Disagree: 5%

Hypothetically, If I Were to Quit Tomorrow, My Reason(s) Would Be:

Benefits: 2%

Career Change: 9%

Commute: 2%

Coworkers: 3%

Health Reasons: 3%

Lack of Career Opportunities: 10%

Lack of Leadership: 8%

Lack of Recognition: 9%

Military Service: 0%

Manager/Supervisor: 6%

Relocation: 5%

Retirement: 6%

Salary: 20%

Sense of Belonging: 5%

Work Schedule: 4%

Work Doesn’t Align With

My Personal Beliefs/Goals: 4%

Other: 5%

Identify the Seven Boise State Shared Values

(Values Bolded)

Academic Excellence: 10%

Caring: 7%

Citizenship: 7%

Fairness: 5%

Respect: 10%

Responsibility: 8%

Trustworthiness: 5%

Academic Distinction: 4%

Authenticity: 2%

Ethical: 6%

Forward Thinking: 5%

Generosity: 1%

Innovation: 9%

Integrity: 8%

Problem Solvers: 3%

Teamwork: 7%

Who Took the Survey

63% of all Classified Staff, 50% of Professional Staff and 34% of Faculty responded to the Listening Tour Survey. Blue=Responded; Orange=Did Not Respond

How Long Have You Worked at Boise State University

0 to 1 Years: 15%

2 to 5 Years: 36%

6 to 10 Years: 20%

11 to 15 Years: 16%

16 to 20 Years: 6%

21 to 25 Years: 4%

26 to 30 Years: 2%

30+ Years: 1%

Survey Participation by College/Division Employee Count

Academic Affairs: 59%

Albertsons Library: 81%

Campus Operations: 57%

Chief of Staff and Chief Compliance Officer: 30%

College of Arts and Sciences: 42%

College of Business and Economics: 42%

College of Education: 27%

College of Engineering: 27%

College of Health Sciences: 31%

College of Innovation and Design: 31%

Extended Studies: 59%

Finance and Administration: 59%

Graduate Studies: 59%

Honor’s College: 100%

Student Affairs and Enrollment Management: 63%

President’s Office: 31%

Research and Economic Development: 24%

School of Public Services: 29%

University Advancement: 69%

*These numbers exclude 215 participants who chose not to disclose their college/division

Employee Engagement Elements

The employee engagement elements were identified from Gallup research and what elements need to be present to support and maintain an engaging work environment.

  • Accountability: An organization that positively fosters individual and collective accountability to each other, to our students, and to the public
  • Communication: With an authentic voice, the organization engages individuals through active listening and dialogue resulting in a shared understanding
  • Development: The organization supports individuals in owning the direction of a purposeful career
  • Participation: Individuals are empowered to share their ideas and solutions in a productive manner leading to informed actions
  • Pay and Benefits: Compensation and benefits appropriately align with work performed, support livability and retain talented individuals
  • Recognition: Individuals and teams are uniquely recognized for their contributions in a timely and meaningful way
  • Run the Business: Clearly defined, proactive and transparent processes/products created and executed in partnership with the highest levels of service
  • Workplace Wellness and Safety: Individuals are emotionally engaged to do inspiring work in a safe, healthy and supportive environment and setting

Employee Engagement Elements: Things We Want to Change

We asked the question, “What are one or two things you would like to change about Boise State?” We tied answers to the employee engagement elements.

  • Accountability: 12%
  • Transparency
  • Consistency Between Policy and Practice
  • Communication: 7%
  • Break Down Silos
  • Easier Access to Information
  • Development: 15%
  • Professional Development
  • Career Paths
  • Participation: 9%
  • Inclusion
  • Support Flex/Remote Work Options
  • Pay and Benefits: 23%
  • Compensation
  • Parking Cost
  • Recognition: 8%
  • Respect
  • Appreciation for Good Work
  • Run the Business: 14%
  • Ineffective Processes and Technology
  • Bureaucracy
  • Workplace Wellness & Safety: 12%
  • More Space and Resources
  • Psychological Safety

Employee Engagement Elements: Things We Want to Keep the Same

We asked the question, “What are one or two things you would keep the same about Boise State?” We again tied answers to employee engagement elements.

Accountability: 8%

  • Work with Passionate People
  • Mission Driven Work

Communication: 3%

  • Mass Campus Communication

Development: 9%

  • Growth Mindset
  • Continued Education is Encouraged

Participation: 25%

  • Collaboration
  • Enjoyable Colleagues

Pay and Benefits: 16%

  • Tuition Waiver
  • Benefits

Recognition: 4%

  • Boise State Pride

Run the Business: 3%

  • Love the Work
  • Innovation

Workplace Wellness & Safety: 28%

  • Work/Life Balance
  • Flexibility