PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEE SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED

The Saskatchewan Public Service Commission today released results from its 2005 employee survey, completed by employees in all government departments late last year. Overall results are similar to results from the first survey in 2003, and also follow the norm for public sector results.

Conducted by HayGroup, an international human resource consulting firm, the survey provides a snapshot of employee opinion across the Saskatchewan public service. More than 6,800 employees, or 49 per cent of all public service employees, including those on seasonal layoff, responded to the survey.

"We committed to ongoing surveys in order to hear from our employees," Public Service Commission chair Clare Isman said. "I appreciate so many employees sharing their thoughts.

"Employees continue to indicate they take pride in working for the Saskatchewan public service; and practice professionalism, respect, and integrity in the workplace," Isman added. "Employees also indicate they recognize the organization's commitment to work/life balance."

As in 2003, employees continue to indicate some areas for improvement, including clarity of strategic goals, leadership action on survey results, managing employee performance, and providing more work-related resources and training.

"The Saskatchewan Public Service has remained quite stable over the past two years and is typical of what we expect for the public sector," HayGroup vice-president David Sissons said. "The results continue to follow a very similar pattern in terms of key strengths and areas for improvement compared to other public sector employers. Overall results indicate signs of slow, steady progress. This type of progress is typical for large, complex organizations like the Saskatchewan public service."

The survey allows departments to check in with employees to determine priority areas for action. Focussing efforts and making improvements in key areas will make public service workplaces as positive and welcoming as possible, to be ready for the upcoming competition for talent and to maximize employee engagement and service to the public.

"We are committed to ensuring we fully understand the results of this survey, and we will continue to work with our employees and take action on priority areas," Isman said.

Survey results are available on the PSC's website at www.gov.sk.ca/psc/survey/.

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For More Information, Contact:

Colleen Hawkesford Public Service Commission Regina Phone: (306) 787-5581