The 2006 employee survey is the third DSHS-wide employee survey.
This survey differs from previous surveys in its high profile,
wide-spread
participation, and extensive follow-up. The survey was:
Administered in conjunction with a survey of all state employees,
sponsored by Governor Gregoire
Customized to meet the needs of each program
Available to all employees simultaneously from March 1 to April
14, 2006
Strongly emphasized by Secretary Arnold-Williams, DSHS Assistant
Secretaries, and Division Directors, resulting in an exceptional 77%
response rate
Followed up with Action Plans from all parts of the organization
Results
The 13,344 employees who completed the survey had much to say. Answers
to the 18 standard questions are displayed on page 2. The answers to
these standard questions are further clarified by the more than 20,000
written responses to narrative questions. The
first five chapters of this report examine responses to both standard
and narrative questions, summarizing employee sentiments in the areas of
communication, supervisor/manager support, fairness, job satisfaction,
and business practices.
The Most Common Themes:
Employees appreciate:
The chance to work with and assist needy residents of Washington
State
Supportive, dedicated co-workers
Supervisors who support, respect, listen, encourage autonomy, and
reward good work
Clear information and guidelines
Fair treatment especially in hiring/promotions
Employees would like to see management decisions that are based on:
In-depth knowledge of the realities and pressures of line work
Input from line workers who will be impacted by decisions
Respect for employees' time, expertise, and dedication
Accountability for all levels of the organization
Concern for the welfare of both clients and employees, rather than
"bean counting" and "number crunching"
Download
Click on the PDF button to the left and download the report
"2006 DSHS Employee Survey"Publication
Date: 12/01/2006. Report Number 11.131.
To view this Portable Document Format (PDF) you may
experience errors or unexpected behavior while opening or
reading the file you downloaded. Therefore, we suggest that you
always use
the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Persons with
disabilities may call to request a paper copy.
For more ways to get in touch with the Department of Social
and Health Services, go to
the DSHS Contact
Information Web page. Technical Site Comments: DSHS Webmaster.
Copyright 2004 Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
2006 DSHS Employee Survey