A message from Lori Lamont

September 2015

Our third annual AON Hewitt employee opinion survey will launch on Thursday, October 1st.

I strongly encourage all of you to find time to take the survey again this year.  Our overall response rate has increased over the last two years, and I hope this pattern continues this year.

In 2013, the first year we conducted the survey, we recorded an overall response rate of 41 per cent. This increased to 44 per cent in 2014.

Overall in 2013, 54 per cent of you said you were actively engaged, and 21 per cent indicated you were disengaged. Last year, the number of engaged staff increased to 56 per cent, and the number of disengaged staff decreased slightly to 20 per cent.

With two years of data now available to us, we can really begin to see clear messages emerge on what engages you and what contributes to active disengagement.

Consistently over the last two years, the top two engagement drivers identified in the survey as most important to improve upon are managing performance and recognition.  Each of us wants feedback on how we're doing in our roles, and we want to be recognized for the work we do and the time we commit to our work.  When this happens consistently, we feel good about ourselves and the contributions we make.  In other words, we are more engaged with what we're doing.  This is not only good for each of our workplaces, but also for the patients, clients, and residents that we serve.

We have also learned how important it is to support managers across the Region.  There is a strong correlation between engagement levels of staff and their manager's effectiveness.  The survey data also tell us that a manager who feels supported is often an effective manager.  Overall engagement levels across managers increased from 62 per cent in 2013 to 69 per cent in 2014. In 2013, 35 per cent of managers felt supported in doing their work.  This increased to 47 per cent in 2014.

We are able to make changes that make our workplace better and more engaging.  But we can't do this effectively without your participation in the annual engagement survey.

Starting October 1st, I hope you'll find time at work to participate in the survey.  The survey continues to be completely confidential. All responses are anonymous and are submitted directly to AON Hewitt.

Your manager will have either the link you need to take the survey online, or can provide you with a paper copy. If you need some help finding time to take the survey, be sure to talk with your manager.

Thank you for all the work you do, and for finding time to participate in the survey.  I look forward to us working together to make this an even better, and more engaging place to work.

Sincerely,

Lori Lamont
Interim President & CEO