What is the Los Angeles County Strategic Survey Project?

The Los Angeles County Strategic Survey Project is a collaborative effort to implement several objectives in the County’s Strategic Plan. All departments are participating in this effort to periodically obtain employee input on the work climate (the physical, social, and organizational context in which employees perform) and the extent to which it supports employee well-being, performance, and the organizational culture reflected in the Strategic Plan. County employees periodically will be asked to complete strategic surveys. Employees were first asked to complete strategic surveys in 2003. Employees were asked to complete a second strategic survey in January 2006. Employee responses to the 2006 Strategic Values Survey were carefully analyzed to help identify and prioritize programs and initiatives designed to enhance the work climate so that it better supports employee well-being, performance, and the desired County culture.

Why is my input important?

To enhance the work environment so that it better supports employee well-being, performance, and the desired County culture, it is necessary to have a clear and accurate picture of the work climate. This requires employee input. Since different employees may have different experiences and views, every employee’s input is important.

When was the last Countywide Strategic Survey distributed?

Employees received their surveys during the last two weeks of January 2006.

Was this a one time survey?

No. Strategic surveys were distributed to employees in March of 2003 and employees were asked to complete surveys again in January of 2006. It is expected that these Countywide employee survey efforts will be repeated periodically. In addition, follow-up evaluations will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of initiatives and programs undertaken as a result of the survey project. Although these evaluations may also involve surveying employees, the scope of these supplemental surveys and the numbers of employees who will complete them will likely be more limited.

Did every Los Angeles County employee receive a survey to complete?

Everyone who was a permanent County employee as of November 27, 2005 received a survey. Temporary employees generally did not receive surveys.

Why were only permanent County employees surveyed?

There are many different categories of temporary employees. Some work for the County for only a very brief time. Some work for the County on an as needed basis. Over several months, some may work for different departments or at different locations.

Preparations for printing the surveys had to begin two months before the survey distribution. It was difficult to predict which temporary employees would be working in a particular department at a particular pay location two months in advance. Surveying temporary employees as part of this process would create additional distribution difficulties for departments and undoubtedly result in many surveys being undeliverable. To avoid unnecessary difficulties and costs, only certain groups of temporary employees were included in the main survey process.

Did my supervisor evaluate me as part of the survey project?

As part of the Strategic Survey Project, some supervisors were asked to provide information about the performance and behavior of a random sample (about seventeen percent) of employees. If you were part of this sample, your supervisor was asked to complete a Supervisor Survey. This information was used to examine the relationships between various aspects of the work climate, employee commitment, training needs, and performance. Information provided on these surveys was only used for research purposes to further the County’s Strategic Plan. Supervisors were instructed not to make copies of the surveys or to use them for any other purpose. The Supervisor Surveys are not part of the employee evaluation process and will not be part of an employee’s personnel file.

Who created the surveys?

The surveys were developed by a team of researchers in the Department of Human Resources. A consultant from the University of Delaware also provided professional guidance in the development of the surveys. Many of the questions were taken from published professional literature with the permission of the authors. Some questions were provided by individuals from the Service Integration Branch of the Chief Executive Office. The surveys were also reviewed extensively by individuals representing the Department of Human Resources, the Chief Executive Office, County Counsel , and line department management.

Who is on the research team?

The research team is comprised of a small number of professional staff within the Department of Human Resources, Organizational and Employee Development Division.

What kind of feedback will be provided to employees?

The collective results of the surveys were made available to County and department management in summary reports. Department management is in the process of evaluating the results in their department contexts and prioritizing their responses to the survey results. Departments have been encouraged to share information with employees and engage them in improvement efforts. In addition, summaries of Countywide results will be published in the County Digest and in the 2006 Report section.