Workplace survey explores what's really under the hood

Kiwi employees and their bosses will shed unprecedented light on the world of employment and the workplace in the most significant survey of its type conducted in New Zealand to date.

Now in its fourth year, The Great New Zealand Employment Survey brings together all the necessary benchmark data needed to understand the world of work in New Zealand from the employer and employee viewpoint.

Conducted by Clarian HR, and for the first time this year in association with Massey University, The Great New Zealand Employment Survey opens for employees and managers across the country online on Tuesday 19 June and will uncover what’s really going on under the hood.

Michelle Marsden of Clarian HR says: “The pressure on leaders to assimilate and prioritise all the data available to them is increasing. From customer satisfaction and employee engagement, to financial reporting and market intelligence, it’s important to be able to see the wood from the trees when it comes to the massive area of employment.”

Employees and managers alike will reap the benefits of participating in The Great New Zealand Employment Survey.  It will challenge managers and employers to consider the cost of poor performance and a potential lack of investment in management development is having on their business.

Employees will be asked if they are sitting and waiting for an opportunity to present itself so they can leave, or if they are engaged and striving for the same goals as their employer. Employees will also be asked if their managers tell them everything they need to know to do their job well.

Conducted annually, The Great New Zealand Employment Survey has already allowed employees to have their voice heard, and for employers to take action in response. 

More than just another engagement survey, the results provide an in depth understanding of attraction and selection; leadership, performance and communication; and diversity, and employee retention and engagement.

An exciting addition to the 2012 survey is the appointment of Massey University as an analytical and research partner, supporting the Clarian HR team in identifying connections, as well as causes and solutions to issues raised by the survey.

“We are thrilled to have Massey University on board with The Great NZ Employment Survey,” says Marsden.

“Their input will provide additional credibility to the results published and allow for debate around the findings with leaders of all businesses.

“Since the launch of the survey in October 2009 it has had a great response and provided insightful results each year, allowing our clients to reflect on how they can make change that aligns with their strategic goals and the feedback from employees, that increases engagement and the opportunity for success in the ongoing complex world of business,” Marsden says.

Associate Professor Jane Parker, of the School of Management, says Massey brings a range of expertise to the survey.

“The Great New Zealand Employment Survey is a highly-regarded study and we were delighted to be approached by Clarian to look at ways that it can be continuously improved.

“We see this partnership with Clarian as two progressive organisations committed to improving the understanding of issues affecting the New Zealand workforce,” says Ms Parker.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Business Professor Ted Zorn says: “This partnership with Clarian reflects the way Massey University is strengthening its engagement with the business community. We’re using our research expertise to help businesses grow stronger.”

The survey is open to the New Zealand public from 19 June and can be completed by going to the website www.clarian.co.nz/survey.

The work with Clarian is connected to Massey University’s Auckland Knowledge Exchange Hub, a new initiative that will make it easier for businesses to develop strong research partnerships with the University. Partners include Auckland Council and KPMG.

Other Massey University academics working on this project are Professor Jim Arrowsmith, Dr David Tappin, Dr Bevan Catley and Dr Darryl Forsyth.