Each year, all colleagues and volunteers are invited to take part in a survey, allowing us to gauge job satisfaction and engagement across the Group. In 2023, 915 people (68%) completed the survey – the second highest response rate ever.
Participants are given a series of statements with the following options: ‘strongly agree’, ‘agree’, ‘unsure’, ‘disagree’ or ‘strongly disagree’. Responses are gauged using a ‘net agreement score’ which is the proportion of positive responses (strongly agree + agree), minus the proportion of negative responses (disagree + strongly disagree). Results, therefore, can range from -100% to +100%.
In 2023, we reduced the number of questions to make it more focused and easier to complete. Several high-scoring measures were replaced or merged, and we now have seven key questions around engagement and satisfaction, and aim for scores exceeding 80% for all of these measures.
All survey results are communicated to every team, and both scores and comments are used to develop long term plans for the organisation.
Job satisfaction
The section relating to job satisfaction showed a number of very encouraging results, showing year-on-year improvement.
- I enjoy working with members of my team (+95%)
- I am proud to work for the Devonshire Family (+91%)
- In general I am happy at work (+89%)
- Overall I am satisfied with my current job (+89%)
- I would recommend the Devonshire Group to prospective employees (+86%)
- The organisation supports my work life balance (+83%)
While these results are no doubt reassuring, in the Devonshire Group we strive to improve in everything we do and hope to improve scores in all areas.
Engagement
In 2023, as in previous years, a number of statements relating to staff and volunteer engagement scored exceptionally highly. The following statements received net agreement scores of over +80%:
- I am happy to go the extra mile to provide “extraordinary” customer service (+96%)
- I am happy to go the extra mile to help internal relationships (+95%)
- I feel able to make decisions when dealing with customer / visitor issues / colleagues (+87%)
- I feel encouraged to be my best (+83%)
Two of the statements on engagement showed room for improvement in 2023:
- I feel valued for the work that I do (+77%)
- My suggestions for improvement are taken seriously by my manager (+71%)
The proportion of staff and volunteers in the Devonshire Group who are actively engaged at work is high compared with national averages. Research in Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report suggests that only 11% of employees in the UK are engaged at work, with the majority of employees (68%) not engaged2.
Both the delivery of exceptional customer service and the dedication to fostering strong relationships with colleagues align well with the Group’s core values: ‘Always improving’, ‘Decency’ and ‘Being inclusive’. High engagement within the Devonshire Group is something to be celebrated and encouraged further.
2 Gallup, State of the Global Workplace 2017
Continue reading about our 10 goals for 10 years...
Help create 1000 homes and 1000 jobs in the local area
By investing in the regeneration of areas around our estates
Double the benefit to local economies from our organisations
As measured by the value of the direct and indirect goods and services we buy
Buy at least 50% of our supplies and services locally
Within 30 miles by road of our estates
Invest £50m in our heritage properties and landscapes
Specifically in their repair, restoration, improvement and development
Enable every child in local schools to experience our estates
As part of their primary education, reaching every school through physical visits onsite or our virtual presence in schools
Achieve excellence in our visitor feedback scores
By scoring 90%+ for value for money, overall enjoyment and likelihood to recommend, in our customer feedback surveys
Create 500 work opportunities for those in and just out of education
Working with local education and training providers to create these opportunities to benefit young people
Reduce our impact on the environment
Through improved management of waste and emissions
Improve the quality of life and wellbeing of our local communities
By providing accessible green spaces, reducing car journeys to our estates and supporting our local communities