City of York Council's latest staff survey has shown an improvement over 2001 in the key areas of how managers motivate their staff and how well informed council employees feel they are.

The council launched its first annual survey of staff in 2001 and the second study, carried out last September and October, shows significant improvements on the findings of the first.

More than 3,500 council employees received questionnaires for the survey which generated a high response rate of 38 per cent.

And the answers to the key statements 'manager tells me when I have done my job well' (up from 47 per cent to 59 per cent), 'manager agrees work targets with me' (54 per cent to 63 per cent), and 'manager motivates me to do my job well' (45 per cent to 49 per cent), were especially positive.

Council staff also continue to feel well informed with a high number - up from 72 per cent to 75 per cent - saying they felt very well or fairly well informed.

Job satisfaction is also slightly up in most areas although overall job satisfaction went down by two per cent and satisfaction with pay fell from 53 per cent to 45 per cent - possibly linked to the council workers' strike in the summer.

David Atkinson, the council's chief executive, said, "The staff survey provides us with evidence of how well we are managing one of our biggest assets - our people - and it shows the real difference our attitudes can make to how the council performs.

"I am especially pleased that staff feel they are being better managed this year because it is a vital indicator of how well placed we are to improve as a council and improve the services we provide for the people of York."

The survey was conducted by an independent research company on behalf of the council's human resources team and it was returned by 1,365 employees.

It is likely that work carried out since last year to address the issues of bullying and harassment has also had an impact on the findings. In 2001 22 per cent agreed with the statement was 'there is bullying where I work'. In 2002 the question was 'are you being bullied or harassed in your work at present?' which was met by confirmation by less than ten per cent of staff.

There is also a big increase (from 39 per cent to 63 per cent) in staff saying they have had an appraisal.

There will be further analysis of the results and action resulting from the staff survey will be monitored by councillors.

Initial findings are being presented to councillors on Friday of next week (January 24). Mr Atkinson is also sending out a feedback report to all staff.

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