NZ 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 Great New Zealand Employment Survey. Now in its fourth year, the 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 survey opens for employees and managers across New Zealand today and will uncover what’s really going on under the hood.

Michelle Marsden of Clarian HR said, “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 survey. It will challenge them 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. They 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. The results provide an in-depth understanding of attraction and selection; leadership, performance and communication; and diversity, employee retention and engagement.

An 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,” said 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.”

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,” she said.

“Our strengths include everything from in-depth knowledge of current employment trends to survey design and we have been able to apply rigorous critique to the survey to make sure the data collected will provide valuable insights.

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

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Business, Professor Ted Zorn, said, “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 and can be completed by going to the website www.clarian.co.nz/survey. Anyone who is a manager or employee can participate and those who respond will be able to have the anonymous results sent directly to them.