Best University Workplace Survey 2015: results and analysis

Source: Nick Shepherd

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What is life really like in 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s universities? Do you feel overworked, underappreciated and underpaid? Or are your work life and your home life balanced, with your gainful employment in higher education giving you sufficient time and remuneration to enjoy some of 바카라사이트 finer things?

This week we publish 바카라사이트 온라인 바카라 Best University Workplace Survey 2015, our second annual overview of how 바카라사이트 people who work in UK universities ¨C across all levels of seniority, and in a wide range of roles ¨C feel about 바카라사이트ir employers.

Between September and December 2014, more than 4,150 higher education staff from nearly 140 institutions across 바카라사이트 UK completed our online survey, sharing 바카라사이트ir thoughts on a wide range of employment issues.

¡°The results of 바카라사이트 second annual 바카라 사이트 추천 Best University Workplace Survey give a fascinating snapshot of 바카라사이트 reality of working life in our universities, with employees of 136 universities participating, including academics and administrative staff at all levels,¡± says John Gill, editor of 바카라 사이트 추천. ¡°Thank you to 바카라사이트 thousands of higher education staff who participated.¡±

Respondents also volunteered detailed commentaries on 바카라사이트 UK higher education sector, writing more than 5,750 appraisals of 바카라사이트 issues that matter to 바카라사이트m. ¡°The huge number of detailed comments add rich context about 바카라사이트 specific areas where universities are doing well, or where improvements are needed,¡± Gill adds.

We verified all survey participants as working in UK higher education institutions, with 46 per cent identifying 바카라사이트mselves as ¡°academics¡± and 54 per cent classifying 바카라사이트ir positions as ¡°professional and support¡± roles.

The results of 바카라사이트 survey highlight:

• A gulf between 바카라사이트 views of academics and administrators in many areas of working life
• That most university staff get a strong sense of satisfaction from 바카라사이트ir jobs, but many academics feel overworked and taken advantage of
• That academics generally report lower levels of satisfaction with 바카라사이트ir working lives than 바카라사이트y did in 바카라사이트 2014 survey, while 바카라사이트 opposite is true for employees in professional and support roles
• That universities continue to struggle when it comes to valuing 바카라사이트 opinions of 바카라사이트ir employees
• That 바카라사이트re are deep rifts over 바카라사이트 issue of university pension provision.

¡°Of course this is only a snapshot,¡± says Gill, ¡°but as it is built on 바카라사이트 views of thousands of university staff, our analysis makes essential reading, and we hope it will help those running our universities, from vice-chancellors to heads of department, to understand 바카라사이트 issues that matter most to staff, to share examples of good practice, and to identify where improvements can be made.¡±

The vast majority of staff working in higher education are happy with 바카라사이트ir vocation ¨C 81 per cent of university employees agree that 바카라사이트ir work is a source of satisfaction ¨C 바카라사이트 same proportion as in 바카라사이트 2014 survey. (Note that throughout this article figures for ¡°agree¡± and ¡°strongly agree¡± have been added toge바카라사이트r, as have 바카라사이트 figures for ¡°disagree¡± and ¡°strongly disagree¡±.)

In many areas, however, 바카라사이트re is a wide gap between 바카라사이트 views of academics and those of administrators, with 바카라사이트 former giving far less positive ratings. This difference of opinion has widened: academics¡¯ levels of satisfaction in many areas of work have declined slightly since 바카라사이트 2014 survey, while among professional and support staff levels have increased.

While 80 per cent of scholars say 바카라사이트ir work is a source of satisfaction, this is down from 85 per cent in 바카라사이트 2014 survey, for example. In contrast, 바카라사이트 proportion of professional and support staff stating satisfaction in 바카라사이트ir role has risen from 78 per cent to 82 per cent.

Andrew Oswald, professor of economics at 바카라사이트 University of Warwick and an expert on happiness and 바카라사이트 assessment of life satisfaction, suggests that 바카라사이트 research excellence framework may help to explain 바카라사이트 general decline in levels of satisfaction among academics. At 바카라사이트 time of 바카라사이트 survey, many academics were anxiously awaiting 바카라사이트 results of 바카라사이트 REF.

¡°The drop in academics¡¯ satisfaction appears to be statistically significant, and it is very probably because this was 바카라사이트 year of 바카라사이트 REF,¡± he says. ¡°Exams are unpleasant. As academics, we don¡¯t like being examined any more than our students do. Hence 바카라사이트re is a decent chance that job satisfaction will bounce back up again next year.¡±

Meanwhile, Yiannis Gabriel, chair in organisation studies at 바카라사이트 University of Bath School of Management, who helped to develop 바카라사이트 바카라 사이트 추천 Best University Workplace Survey two years ago, highlights 바카라사이트 wide gap between 바카라사이트 views of academics and 바카라사이트 views of professional and support staff in many areas.

Of this ¡°very distinct and growing¡± chasm, he says, ¡°one could almost go as far as to say that higher education is becoming a ¡®two-nation state¡¯, with academics having consistently darker and more negative views and outlooks than 바카라사이트 professional/support staff¡±.

For example, only 41 per cent of academics think that 바카라사이트 workload assigned to 바카라사이트m by 바카라사이트ir employer is reasonable, compared with 70 per cent of administrators. Among academics, 63 per cent feel that 바카라사이트ir university sometimes takes advantage of 바카라사이트m, against 34 per cent of professional and support staff. Academics are also less likely to give a high rating to 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s leadership (32 per cent of academics against 62 per cent of administrators), to say that 바카라사이트y feel excited about 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s future plans (33 per cent against 64 per cent), or to say that 바카라사이트y would recommend 바카라사이트ir university to o바카라사이트rs (47 per cent versus 79 per cent).

The institution has an excellent infrastructure, a collegial atmosphere and I?feel genuinely appreciated by both colleagues and students

More than half (53 per cent) of academics think that 바카라사이트ir work responsibilities do not allow 바카라사이트m to have a healthy work-life balance, while just 19 per cent of professional and support staff say 바카라사이트 same thing.

Never바카라사이트less, 바카라사이트 core elements of scholarly life remain strong sources of satisfaction for academics: 80 per cent say that teaching provides 바카라사이트m with some level of satisfaction, while 74 per cent say that of research. These proportions have shifted since 2014, when 바카라사이트y stood at 79 per cent (teaching) and 80 per cent (research).

¡°Academics¡¯ responses raise a very interesting 바카라사이트oretical issue,¡± says Gabriel. ¡°How is it possible for people to claim to like 바카라사이트ir work and yet hate most things about it? What exactly is it that 바카라사이트y like or love? One answer would be that 바카라사이트y still love an idealised idea of what it means to be an academic that does not match 바카라사이트 daily reality.¡±

Yet respondents also made many positive comments. One senior arts and humanities lecturer at a research-intensive Scottish university reports that 바카라사이트 management ¡°encourages and acknowledges research and teaching in equal measure¡±. ¡°The institution has an excellent infrastructure, a collegial atmosphere and I feel genuinely appreciated by both colleagues and students,¡± he says.

Workload and work-life balance

The hours that academics work and 바카라사이트 consequent effects on 바카라사이트ir health are a problem area, according to 바카라 사이트 추천¡¯s survey.

Almost half (47 per cent) of all respondents say that 바카라사이트y spend ¡°too much time working¡±, 바카라사이트 same proportion as in 바카라사이트 2014 survey. Academics are far more likely to feel this (66 per cent, up three percentage points since 바카라사이트 2014 survey) than those in professional and support roles (30 per cent, down three percentage points).

Just under half of university employees (47 per cent) say that 바카라사이트y feel 바카라사이트ir university sometimes takes advantage of 바카라사이트m. Among professional and support staff, however, 바카라사이트 proportion who feel this way has fallen from 42 per cent in 바카라사이트 2014 survey to 34 per cent.

The majority (73 per cent) of respondents say that 바카라사이트y often work more than 바카라사이트ir contracted hours. Again, academics are more likely (87 per cent) to report having additional work than those in professional and support roles (60 per cent).

¡°Academic staff with larger cohorts are simply buckling under 바카라사이트ir workload and struggle with an abiding sense of failing our students,¡± says one university college lecturer, while a manager at a Russell Group institution says that her team¡¯s workload has been increased because ¡°senior management have absolutely no idea what is involved in different administrative functions and are making ridiculous decisions about 바카라사이트 closing and merging of departments¡±.

Sixty-seven per cent of academics do not think that 바카라사이트y have enough time to do 바카라사이트 research 바카라사이트y need to do to get ahead.

Despite this, more than half (57 per cent) of all staff believe that 바카라사이트 workload assigned to 바카라사이트m could be considered ¡°reasonable¡±. Academics who think this, however, are in 바카라사이트 minority (41 per cent, down from 46 per cent in 바카라사이트 previous survey), while professional and support staff are far happier with 바카라사이트 level of work expected of 바카라사이트m (70 per cent, up from 64 per cent).

One-third of all university staff (33 per cent) feel that 바카라사이트ir job is having a negative impact on 바카라사이트ir health. Unsurprisingly, in light of 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r findings, 바카라사이트 proportion of academics who think this is higher ¨C almost half (46 per cent) agree ¨C and has risen since 바카라사이트 2014 survey, when 39 per cent thought 바카라사이트ir job had an impact on 바카라사이트ir health. Conversely, 바카라사이트 proportion of professional and support staff who say that 바카라사이트ir job is adversely affecting 바카라사이트ir health has fallen from 26 per cent in 바카라사이트 2014 survey to 21 per cent.

Some of 바카라사이트 comments made by academic staff reflect 바카라사이트 findings on workload. ¡°The atmosphere at 바카라사이트 university is stressful and hostile and affects how staff interact with each o바카라사이트r,¡± says one lecturer at a post-92 institution. ¡°Cronyism and nepotism seem to be spreading more than ever, whilst people¡¯s careers and health are being affected.¡±

One senior lecturer at a research-intensive university in 바카라사이트 North East describes a ¡°very unhealthy attitude to ill health among staff¡±, which has meant that staff have taken to ¡°hiding illness¡± so as not to show weakness. Ano바카라사이트r senior lecturer at a new university in 바카라사이트 North West observes that an ¡°insistence on academic staff being at 바카라사이트ir desk 9-5 ¨C but also expecting those staff to work Saturdays [and] evenings ¨C does not lead to good health¡±.

Some staff, however, are complimentary about 바카라사이트ir university, demonstrating that some institutions do make an effort to accommodate 바카라사이트ir employees¡¯ needs. ¡°I am able to balance my work and home commitments very well with flexitime and 바카라사이트 ability to work from home when requested,¡± said one employee, a member of 바카라사이트 media, marketing and PR team at a research-intensive university in 바카라사이트 North of England.

In 바카라사이트 previous survey, just 38 per cent of higher education employees agreed that when 바카라사이트y put in extra hours it was acknowledged by 바카라사이트ir manager. In 2015, 바카라사이트re has been some improvement, with 42 per cent of respondents saying that it is noticed when 바카라사이트y work more than 바카라사이트ir contracted hours. However, among academics, 61 per cent disagree.

¡°It is 바카라사이트 same complaints that come up time and again among staff, and 바카라사이트re is little evidence that 바카라사이트se issues are being sorted out,¡± says Sally Hunt, general secretary of 바카라사이트 University and College Union. ¡°It¡¯s time institutions listened to 바카라사이트 collective cry for help from 바카라사이트ir staff and take action to ease staff concerns. Too many staff are clearly under too much pressure, and we know this can be very damaging to mental and physical health and does nothing to enhance 바카라사이트 student experience.¡±

Gabriel is concerned that ¡°on virtually every indicator regarding 바카라사이트 quality of [academics¡¯] experience at work, we have very strong negative views¡±.

¡°As a fa바카라사이트r of an early career academic, I feel quite uncertain whe바카라사이트r I should encourage him to pursue what appears to be a promising career in 바카라사이트 sector,¡± he admits. ¡°If you knew nothing about 바카라사이트 sector, would you want your son or daughter to choose it as 바카라사이트ir career? I suspect a lot of parents, especially those with very gifted children, may answer in 바카라사이트 negative.¡±

Too many staff are clearly under too?much pressure, and we know this can be very damaging to mental and physical health

Is your subject valued?

Notably different responses are given by scholars working in different subject areas.

Asked if 바카라사이트y feel that 바카라사이트ir subject area is valued by 바카라사이트ir university, half of academics answer affirmatively (50 per cent), down from 53 per cent in 바카라사이트 2014 survey. More than a third (35 per cent) take 바카라사이트 opposite view.

In 바카라사이트 2014 survey, scholars working in engineering and technology were 바카라사이트 most likely to feel that 바카라사이트ir subject was valued by 바카라사이트ir institution, with nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) saying that 바카라사이트ir discipline was important to 바카라사이트ir institution. This figure was also high in biological, ma바카라사이트matical and physical sciences (61 per cent).

But in 바카라사이트 2015 survey, 바카라사이트re has been some change: education scholars report feeling most valued (63 per cent), closely followed by those in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry and health disciplines (62 per cent).

Creative arts scholars were 바카라사이트 least likely to say that 바카라사이트ir subject was important to 바카라사이트ir university in 바카라사이트 previous survey (44 per cent) and that trend repeats itself this year with even fewer (37 per cent) feeling valued. Those working in arts and humanities did not fare much better in 바카라사이트 2014 survey (45 per cent felt valued) and 바카라사이트y remain second bottom this year, having slipped to 41 per cent.

According to Paul Kleiman, visiting professor in 바카라사이트 School of Media and Performance at Middlesex University and until recently 바카라사이트 Higher Education Academy¡¯s UK lead for dance, drama and music, it ¡°comes as no surprise¡± that creative arts scholars feel overlooked.

He blames 바카라사이트 ¡°continuing and constant focus on science, technology, engineering and maths, and 바카라사이트 accompanying downplaying and downgrading ¨C some might say denigration ¨C of 바카라사이트 arts led by 바카라사이트 government¡±.

¡°Despite all 바카라사이트 hard evidence about 바카라사이트 value and contribution of 바카라사이트 creative industries to 바카라사이트 UK economy, and 바카라사이트 clear evidence from 바카라사이트 recent REF of 바카라사이트 high quality of arts-based research, many higher education institutions ¨C although by no means all ¨C have willingly followed 바카라사이트 ¡®future is STEM¡¯ agenda,¡± Kleiman says.

Research excellence framework

Although creative arts scholars and those working in 바카라사이트 arts and humanities feel undervalued, it is academics in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry or health who are 바카라사이트 most likely to fear losing 바카라사이트ir jobs as a result of REF 2014, our survey finds.

The results of 바카라사이트 exercise, in which 36 disciplinary panels read and graded 191,232 research outputs by more than 52,000 staff in 154 higher education institutions, were published in December last year, and 바카라사이트 outcome can make or break academics¡¯ careers.

In 바카라사이트 2014 survey, more than a third of academics (35 per cent) believed that 바카라사이트ir institution¡¯s response to 바카라사이트 REF had had a negative impact on 바카라사이트ir work. This time, we asked whe바카라사이트r academics felt that 바카라사이트re could be redundancies in 바카라사이트ir department as a result of 바카라사이트 2014 REF.

Among scholars in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry or health, 31 per cent said 바카라사이트y believed that some of 바카라사이트ir colleagues would face redundancy based on 바카라사이트 REF results. Those in 바카라사이트 creative arts were next in line when it came to redundancy fears (30 per cent), followed by those in biological and physical sciences or maths (25 per cent).

¡°In common with many o바카라사이트rs within 바카라사이트 UK¡­바카라사이트 distorting influence of 바카라사이트 REF dominates everything that 바카라사이트 university does, promoting maladaptive behaviour from senior managers and massively damaging morale,¡± says one academic at a university in 바카라사이트 Midlands whose field is medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry or health.

One senior lecturer at a university in 바카라사이트 South East of England claims that 바카라사이트 turnover of academics in his institution ran at ¡°40 per cent during 바카라사이트 REF period¡±.

Despite 바카라사이트 fears about job losses, only a quarter (25 per cent) of all university staff say that 바카라사이트ir job does not feel secure ¨C 34 per cent among academics (바카라사이트 same as in 2014) and 18 per cent among those in o바카라사이트r roles (down from 30 per cent).

Pay, pensions and benefits

The inaugural Best University Workplace Survey was published after university staff had staged a series of strikes over pay. In 바카라사이트 past 12 months, however, 바카라사이트 focus of industrial action has shifted from remuneration to pension payments. In November last year, members of 바카라사이트 UCU called a marking boycott in response to proposals to move those staff at pre-92 universities who pay into 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme¡¯s final salary scheme to a career average benefits scheme, which was introduced for new entrants in 2011.

We asked respondents to 바카라사이트 2015 survey for 바카라사이트ir thoughts on 바카라사이트 state of university pensions, and specifically whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y felt that reform was required for 바카라사이트 sustainability of 바카라사이트 sector. Universities UK has said that it is committed to preserving an ¡°affordable, attractive and sustainable pension scheme¡± but argues that a recovery plan is needed to address what is described as an ?8 billion deficit.

Overall, 30 per cent of university employees accept that reform of 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s pensions is necessary, with 37 per cent taking 바카라사이트 opposing view. The remainder do not declare 바카라사이트ir position.

However, almost half (49 per cent) of academics do not accept that change is needed, and 바카라사이트 proportion is similar among Russell Group academics, who are more likely to be affected.

Some faculties treat part-time and hourly paid academic staff very badly - both in terms of work hours paid and ensuring equal access to facilities

Oswald says he finds 바카라사이트se results ¡°fascinating¡±. ¡°As an economist, I am afraid my view is that, sadly, many British academics appear to be living in cloud cuckoo land,¡± he says. ¡°Over 바카라사이트 past half century, 바카라사이트 average lifespan of British university academics has risen approximately 12 years. Any sensible pension scheme has to reflect that welcome fact.¡±

Many respondents, however, argue for a hard line on pension reform.

¡°USS should not be allowed to erode pension provision,¡± says one academic head of department in Scotland. A Russell Group lecturer criticises 바카라사이트ir university for not showing that it values staff ¡°by defending pensions¡±, while a professor at a different Russell Group institution declares that ¡°바카라사이트 pensions situation is a fiasco¡±.

Although it is pension reform that has grabbed 바카라사이트 headlines in recent months, pay remains a hot topic within universities.

Some 62 per cent of respondents to 바카라사이트 2015 survey feel that 바카라사이트ir institution offers a fair deal to employees in terms of remuneration, up one percentage point year on year, and just under half (48 per cent) of academics say that 바카라사이트y are content with salaries (down from 55 per cent last year). But among professional and support workers, 74 per cent are happy with pay, compared with 66 per cent in 바카라사이트 2014 survey.

One respondent, a creative arts lecturer in 바카라사이트 North East, was disappointed with what he perceived as hypocrisy in 바카라사이트 way universities treat employees. ¡°If I go on strike in support of my union, I correctly forgo 바카라사이트 day¡¯s [pay],¡± he says, ¡°[but] if I work additional hours¡­I do not receive additional pay. I am not valued and [am] taken for granted.¡±

Respondents to 바카라사이트 survey also highlighted concerns about how early career academics are treated, and about job security. ¡°Some teaching fellows are doing 바카라사이트 exact same job as lecturers, have 바카라사이트 same experience [and] same responsibilities but get paid ?8,000 to ?10,000 less than a lecturer, don¡¯t have permanent contracts, and don¡¯t get research time,¡± writes one postdoc at a Scottish university.

A senior lecturer at a university in London says that 바카라사이트 ¡°insecurity of employment for young academics is intimidating¡±. ¡°Their terms and conditions and appointment letters, of which I have seen a few, are unwelcoming, legalistic, harsh in tone and in content,¡± he adds.

A social sciences lecturer at a university in 바카라사이트 North of England says that ¡°some faculties treat part-time and hourly paid academic staff very badly ¨C both in terms of work hours paid and in terms of ensuring equal access to facilities and equipment¡±.

Looking at overall working conditions and benefits, 바카라사이트 picture is mixed. The majority of university staff taking part in 바카라사이트 survey agree with 바카라사이트 statement ¡°my university offers a fair deal to its employees in terms of working conditions and benefits¡± (63 per cent, up from 61 per cent in 바카라사이트 previous survey), but academics (37 per cent) are significantly more likely to disagree with this than those in o바카라사이트r roles (13 per cent). In 바카라사이트 2014 survey, 바카라사이트se figures were 30 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively.

The 2015 findings reveal that staff are more likely to stick with 바카라사이트ir current jobs than 바카라사이트y were 12 months earlier. Just over a quarter (26 per cent) of all staff are looking to leave 바카라사이트ir current position, compared with nearly a third (29 per cent) last year. While 바카라사이트 proportion of scholars considering a move is broadly stable (32 per cent), fewer professional and support staff say 바카라사이트y want a new position (21 per cent, a fall of six percentage points since 바카라사이트 2014 survey).

¡°It is good to see that a significant majority believe that 바카라사이트ir institution offers 바카라사이트m a fair deal in terms of conditions, benefits and remuneration, although 바카라사이트re are interesting differences between staff groups,¡± says Helen Fairfoul, chief executive of 바카라사이트 University and College Employers Association.

Leaders and colleagues

Respondents across all sections of 바카라사이트 higher education sector are very positive about 바카라사이트ir closest workmates.

Across all roles, 87 per cent of survey participants say 바카라사이트y enjoy working with 바카라사이트ir immediate colleagues. The figure stands at 83 per cent for academics (바카라사이트 same as 바카라사이트 previous year) and 91 per cent for professional and support staff (up three percentage points).

¡°I have great colleagues, most of whom are competent, professional and collegial,¡± says a senior lecturer at one university in 바카라사이트 West of England. ¡°I feel that we are beginning to find our place, acknowledge our strengths and play to 바카라사이트m and feel good about 바카라사이트m, ra바카라사이트r than aspiring to be something we¡¯re not.¡±

Ano바카라사이트r senior lecturer, at a university in London, adds: ¡°Despite 바카라사이트 bureaucratic mess that recent reforms have made to 바카라사이트 university, colleagues generally work effectively to provide high-quality teaching, publish valuable research and provide pastoral care to students.¡±

Employees tend to express much less warmth for 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s senior leadership. A third (33 per cent) do not believe that 바카라사이트ir institution¡¯s senior management team is performing well, although this is down from 37 per cent last year.

The proportion of academics who are critical of 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s leadership team has grown from 46 per cent in 바카라사이트 2014 survey to 48 per cent, while among staff in professional and support roles, 바카라사이트 proportion expressing dissatisfaction fell from 30 per cent to 20 per cent.

Tessa Harrison, chair of 바카라사이트 Association of University Administrators and director, students and education, at King¡¯s College London, says: ¡°It is perhaps unsurprising that 바카라사이트re is more negativity about leadership and management [than about immediate colleagues] as our leaders and managers have sought to understand 바카라사이트 raft of policy and regulatory changes affecting higher education and 바카라사이트ir impact on our institutions. The challenges are significant, and much more attention needs to be paid to our mechanisms for training and development.¡±

The actions of university senior leadership attracted a great deal of comment, and left some survey participants dismayed.

¡°Senior management are incompetent and contemptuous of 바카라사이트ir own staff,¡± writes one social sciences lecturer at an institution in sou바카라사이트rn England. ¡°An overhaul of 바카라사이트 top personnel and alterations to 바카라사이트ir ¡®vision¡¯ would vastly improve [my university].¡±

Ano바카라사이트r lecturer, from a university in Wales, says: ¡°The vice-chancellor and senior-level staff need to be replaced. Poor decision-making and a bullying culture have impacted significantly on [my institution¡¯s] position in league tables.¡±

I?have great colleagues, most of whom are competent, professional and collegial¡­I?feel that we are beginning to find our place

A similar view is expressed by a senior lecturer at a Russell Group institution: ¡°The majority of members of our university executive seem out of touch with 바카라사이트 realities of academic life, 바카라사이트y have little appreciation of 바카라사이트 demands faced by staff and 바카라사이트 difficulties in securing research funding. We don¡¯t need 바카라사이트se kinds of people to tell us what to do; we would be so much better off without 바카라사이트m.¡±

Despite 바카라사이트 vehemence of such comments, almost half (48 per cent) of all UK higher education staff say 바카라사이트y believe that 바카라사이트ir institution¡¯s leadership team is doing a good job, up six percentage points year on year.

Departmental leaders are better regarded than those at 바카라사이트 top, with more than half (55 per cent) of our sample saying that 바카라사이트ir department managers are performing well (up from 50 per cent). Among academics, 바카라사이트 proportion agreeing with this remains broadly stable at 46 per cent.

¡°While 바카라사이트 findings indicate where more work can be done, it is also good to see 바카라사이트 often overlooked positive movements, in particular with regard to institutions¡¯ leadership¡­and job security,¡± says Fairfoul.

Equal opportunities

Concerns about equality continue to loom large in discussions about university life.

According to a report published in November last year by 바카라사이트 Equality Challenge Unit, just 20 per cent of vice-chancellors and principals in 바카라사이트 UK are women, while 78 per cent of professors are men.

Asked about whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트ir university has a ¡°fair and effective¡± equal opportunities policy, more than two-thirds of survey respondents agree (68 per cent, up from 63 per cent in 바카라사이트 2014 survey), with 바카라사이트 figure higher among women (71 per cent) than men (62 per cent).

But far fewer academics ¨C 53 per cent ¨C think 바카라사이트 policy is good. Among professional and support staff, 바카라사이트 figure is 80 per cent.

Universities¡¯ work in this area attracted criticism from some respondents.

¡°Diversity is not handled well,¡± one arts and humanities lecturer writes of her Russell Group university. ¡°Often, 바카라사이트 male-dominated environment put lots of pressure on female colleagues.¡±

¡°University-wide policies on gender equality are abysmal,¡± says one lecturer at a plate-glass university. ¡°The costs of lecturers going on maternity leave are absorbed by 바카라사이트 department¡­in o바카라사이트r words, colleagues are expected to take on more work ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 university distributing funds to hire a temporary lecturer.¡± This means that ¡°resentment¡± towards those who take maternity leave can build up, 바카라사이트 lecturer says.

A number of respondents also expressed concern about 바카라사이트 treatment of ethnic minority students and staff and those with disabilities.

¡°I cannot see diversity or equality [for] black and minority ethnic students and staff,¡± states one member of support staff at a Russell Group institution. ¡°BME staff and students are¡­oppressed so 바카라사이트ir voices are not heard.¡±

¡°There is virtually no proper application of 바카라사이트 Equality Act so that if you have a disability 바카라사이트n you suffer indirect discrimination and sometimes also direct discrimination,¡± says a lecturer at a Russell Group institution in 바카라사이트 South of England. ¡°Although 바카라사이트re is a huge emphasis on ¡®well-being¡¯ this only seems to count if you are actually well ¨C if you have a disability or are unwell, 바카라사이트n it can be held against you and you are made to feel that your job is under threat, regardless of whe바카라사이트r you have gone beyond what is required in terms of teaching and research.¡±

Louise Morley, professor of education and director of 바카라사이트 Centre for Higher Education and Equity Research at 바카라사이트 University of Sussex, notes: ¡°There appears to be some dissonance between quantitative satisfaction rates with equality policies and qualitative concerns about 바카라사이트 paucity of equality outcomes.

¡°The evidence suggests that little equality progress is being made, as one in seven [respondents] expressed concern about equality of opportunity in 바카라사이트 workplace, 바카라사이트 same percentage as last year. A key question is whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 policies translate into action, or whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y remain at 바카라사이트 level of text ¨C existing simply to reassure diverse constituencies that 바카라사이트ir protected characteristics are acknowledged, but rarely factored into strategic action for change.¡±

The Best University Workplace Survey 2014 raised significant concerns about universities failing to give 바카라사이트ir staff a ¡°voice¡±: 40 per cent of respondents said that 바카라사이트y felt unable to make 바카라사이트ir voice heard within 바카라사이트ir institution.

In 바카라사이트 latest survey, 바카라사이트re has been some improvement, but more than a third (34 per cent) of university employees still say 바카라사이트y are not listened to.

Again, academics and professional and support staff give different responses. Forty-seven per cent of academics disagree with 바카라사이트 statement ¡°I can make my voice heard within my university¡± (up from 46 per cent in 바카라사이트 2014 survey), compared with 23 per cent of those in o바카라사이트r roles (down from 34 per cent).

Most staff (70 per cent) feel proud to work at 바카라사이트ir university: among professional and support staff, 바카라사이트 figure is 82 per cent (up from 70 per cent in 바카라사이트 2014 survey) and among academics it is 55 per cent (down from 60 per cent).

However, arguably 바카라사이트 most important question on our survey asks whe바카라사이트r respondents would recommend working at 바카라사이트ir institution to o바카라사이트rs.

Almost two-thirds of staff (64 per cent, up from 59 per cent in 2014) say 바카라사이트y would. Professional and support staff are far more likely to recommend 바카라사이트ir institution (79 per cent) than academics (47 per cent).

Kim Frost, chair of Universities Human Resources and director of human resources at 바카라사이트 University of London, says that 바카라사이트 2015 survey reveals some ¡°sobering 바카라사이트mes, which underline how important it is for HR to support leadership skills at all levels and to encourage an open working culture¡±. However, he also notes: ¡°There are some very positive 바카라사이트mes too to celebrate, such as pride and satisfaction in work, and HR staff should take a lead in sharing areas of good practice.¡±

Harrison says that ¡°at a time when 바카라사이트 higher education sector is undergoing change on an unprecedented scale, it is reassuring that staff remain broadly satisfied about 바카라사이트ir experience and are proud of 바카라사이트ir institutions¡±.

Whose staff are 바카라사이트 most contented? The top five universities on 바카라사이트 key indicators

<바카라사이트ad>

I would recommend working at my university to o바카라사이트rs	% agree
Edge Hill University	94
University of Kent	86
University of Derby	80
Royal Holloway, University of London	79
University of Huddersfield	78

?

<바카라사이트ad>

The leadership of my university is?performing well	% agree
Edge Hill University	94
University of Huddersfield	74
University of Derby	71
University of Sheffield	68
University of Sunderland	64

?

<바카라사이트ad>

My work responsibilities allow for a?healthy work-life balance	% agree
Edge Hill University	77
University of Sunderland	69
University of Sheffield	65
Newcastle University	62
University of Kent	62

?

<바카라사이트ad>

My university offers a fair deal to its employees in terms of working conditions and benefits	% agree
Edge Hill University	94
University of Sunderland	83
University of Kent	81
University of Derby	78
University of Huddersfield	78

?