What is the employee engagement and wellbeing survey?
The 21 question online survey conducted by Gallup, an independent research-based consulting company, is designed to collect baseline data about employee engagement and wellbeing at San Diego Unified.
How long is the survey?
The survey consists of 21 questions and may take up to 10 minutes to complete.
What are the types of questions that will be asked?
Employees will be presented a series of statements and will be asked to indicate their level of agreement with each statement.
The questions focus on workplace experience, employee engagement, and the five essential elements of wellbeing.
What does the survey mean by “employee engagement”?
Gallup defines employee engagement as the involvement and enthusiasm of employees in their work and workplace. Research shows that engaged employees recognize their capacity to effect change, understand that their voices are valued, and appreciate the significance of their perspectives.
What are the “five essential elements of wellbeing”?
As part of a comprehensive global study of more than 150 countries, giving a lens into the wellbeing of more than 98% of the world's population, Gallup identified five distinct statistical factors that are the universal elements for a thriving life:
- Career Wellbeing - a collaborative workplace that provides employees with the tools and skills to be successful in their role based on a shared vision and values.
- Community Wellbeing - opportunities to interact and team-build both inside and outside the workplace.
- Financial Wellbeing - clear and fair structures for compensation, benefits, and retirement planning.
- Physical Wellbeing - workspaces that celebrate and model physical health with regular opportunities for employees to focus on their wellbeing.
- Social Wellbeing - healthy relationships where employees feel seen, valued, heard, and connected.
Who is asking us to complete the survey?
Employee engagement and wellbeing is a team effort that involves every person in the district.
The partnership with Gallup and implementation of the survey is being coordinated by the Office of the Superintendent and Office of Thriving School Communities, in collaboration with district labor partners and the employee wellness subcommittee. Employees interested in being a part of these wellness efforts should consider joining their school site or central office wellness committee. For more information on how to join a school or office wellness committee, contact your sites’ wellness coordinator.
Why is the district partnering with Gallup?
Gallup is an independent research-based consulting company that brings a wealth of expertise to understanding employee engagement and how to measure it. They have studied more than 2.7 million workers across more than 100,000 teams and will provide San Diego Unified an objective view of what district employees want and need to thrive in their workplace.
Why is the district conducting this survey?
San Diego Unified strives to create an environment where employees find purpose in being part of an organization committed to fostering equity, thriving, and a sense of belonging for each individual.
Measuring the engagement and wellbeing of our employees is the first step in our journey to building a better workplace.
An initial survey was conducted in Fall 2024. The results of that survey can be found here.
During this time of transition and organizational change, we want to reaffirm the value of all our employees by continuing our partnership with Gallup. This second survey will provide point-in-time data so we can check in on how staff are feeling and better understand the needs of our employees.
How will the survey results be used?
The goal of the employee engagement and wellbeing survey is to start a conversation, allowing employees to communicate their needs so that managers know which needs they should work harder to meet.
Results will be used to establish baseline data for leadership to assess the district’s strengths and identify areas for growth, enabling data-driven decisions for strategic actions and improvements.
Who will see the survey results?
After the survey window closes, managers and site administrators will receive guidance on accessing the confidential survey results for their teams through the online Gallup portal. These results will serve as a valuable resource for leadership to assess the district’s strengths and identify areas for growth, enabling data-driven decisions for strategic actions and improvements.
Will my name, email, or employee ID be associated with my responses?
No, all responses are completely confidential.
Answering questions honestly will provide more accurate results leading to more focused and impactful actions and improvements.
Who is expected to take the survey?
The survey will be sent to all part- and full-time permanent employees (not substitutes, visiting teachers, walk-on coaches, etc.)
All eligible employees are strongly encouraged to complete the survey so a more accurate representation of employee engagement and wellbeing can be evaluated.
Can non-permanent employees participate in the survey?
We value each of the dedicated adults who work at our schools and offices. All employees – permanent status or otherwise – play an essential role in the experience of our students. However, since we are planning on having an employee engagement and well-being survey from Gallup annually, we needed to establish a consistent cohort for comparing data year over year. For that reason, we only asked employees in permanent status to complete the survey.
We realize this means the results will not include the voices and experiences of our visiting teachers, substitute workers, walk-on coaches, volunteers, and other non-permanent job classifications. However, we believe those individuals will still benefit from the data-driven actions that come as a result of the survey.
If you are a district employee who was not eligible to complete the survey but would like to share any feedback regarding employee engagement and well-being at San Diego Unified, we encourage you to contact your sites’ wellness coordinator.
How can I take the survey?
On Monday, October 7, 2024 all part- and full-time permanent employees will receive an email from [email protected] that includes an individualized link to complete the 21 question survey.
Employees with limited access to email should work with their supervisor to utilize a shared computer to complete the survey during their work day.
When can I take the survey?
The survey should be completed in the two-week timeframe. The last day to complete the survey is Friday, October 25, 2024.
What if I didn’t receive an email with an individual survey link?
If you are a part- or full-time permanent employee and you did not receive an email with your individual survey link, please email [email protected].
Who can I contact for technical support with the online survey?
If you run into any technical issue completing the online survey, please email [email protected].
Where can I learn more?
If you would like to learn more about the survey and the connections between employee engagement and levels of wellbeing, please take a look at these resources from Gallup: