Good Afternoon Staff,
The extended period of virtual work during the COVID-19 pandemic has provided valuable insights into the potential benefits of thoughtful use of Alternative Work Strategies for our staff and for our institution. Northwestern recognizes that the implementation of Alternative Work Strategies supports a variety of goals related to staff engagement and well-being, recruitment and retention, sustainability, service excellence, cost efficiencies, space utilization, and the overall enhancement of the employment experience.
To better understand staff attitudes towards alternative work strategies (previously referred to as “flexible work arrangements”), NUSAC and Central HR conducted a survey between May 14 and May 26, yielding a response rate of approximately 51%.
Results of the survey are available here >
NOTE: The availability of alternative work strategies (or flexible work arrangements) varies by school, unit, and position based on business and operational needs. The results of this pulse survey thus do not function as a guarantee of policy or a reflection of what final options may be available.
NUSAC is grateful to the many staff who took the time to complete this survey. The results present a key opportunity for NUSAC and Central HR to learn about the pulse of the staff with the goal of recommendations on arrangements in future. These results also provide additional context for schools and units to consider as they create, implement, assess and adjust their post-pandemic plans. Long-term, this information supports NUSAC in engaging fully with University leaders on such issues and in helping Northwestern model success in a post-pandemic workplace.
Thank you.
-NUSAC