Staff Council using survey to gauge interest in issues, benefits

University and classified staff members, as well as working retirees, this week received a work and benefits survey developed by the University of Colorado Staff Council. The email survey is designed to assess how employees use benefits offered by their respective CU campuses.

Responses and data gleaned from the survey will help the council determine the issues staff members consider important in their work lives and also will help the governance group better represent, communicate with and advocate for employees, said Council Chair Denise Thomas.

Results of the survey will be shared with campus administration and the Board of Regents.

The survey asks questions about professional development activities, dependent tuition benefits, paid parental leave, and Administrative Policy Statements.

Council members have been working on the survey for several months. Thomas said questions were pared down to only include those that council considers “actionable” or those that will help determine how benefits are used or could be used.

For instance, a Staff Council committee has been researching paid parental leave policies and the council hopes respondents will indicate whether they consider such a policy important.

Council also would like to find out if constituents understand the Administrative Policy Statement review process and the role governance groups play in that process.

Staff members have until Nov. 15 to complete the survey. Respondents also may choose to be entered into a drawing for one of four $75 Amazon gift cards.

Council hopes to have data from returned surveys compiled by the end of the year.