The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE) has reported that a State-wide survey of the South Australian public sector workforce has revealed a strong level of workplace pride, motivation and employee wellbeing.
The OCPSE said it conducted the inaugural I WORK FOR SA – Your Voice Survey to seek insights from all public sector employees about their experiences at work.
Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, Erma Ranieri said almost 40,000 employees participated in the Survey, with a record 36 per cent response rate.
Ms Ranieri said key findings of the Survey included:
* 85% of respondents said they were happy to go the ‘extra mile’ at work, when required;
* 80% believed strongly in the purpose and objectives of their agency;
* 88% understood what was expected of them to do well in their role;
* 33%, however, believed action would be taken on the results from the survey;
* 32% thought it was safe to speak up and challenge the way things were done in their agency; and
* 36% felt the level of stress in their job was appropriate.
She said the Survey showed, however, there was still more work to be done in some areas, including employees’ stress levels; their feeling of safety in being able to speak up and challenge the way things are done; as well as their belief that action will be taken in response to the survey results.
“So, while bullying and harassment have decreased, the fact that it still exists means there is a cause to do better,” Ms Ranieri said.
She said ongoing initiatives to support workers included the SA Public Sector Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework and the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Toolkit, which provided a foundation for Agencies to educate staff; create positive cultures that supported wellbeing; and assist staff to seek help for mental health.
The Survey results can be accessed at this PS News link and the 75-page Mentally Healthy Workplaces Toolkit at this link.
