Nearly half of Kingston Council staff are not satisfied with their jobs, a survey has revealed.

Just 53 percent of staff said they were satisfied and, although the figure is the same as in 2011, a higher proportion of workers responded to the survey this year.

More than 80 per cent said they were satisfied with their relationships with colleagues, and nearly three-quarters with work safety.

Between 34 and 36 percent of workers said they were dissatisfied in key areas like workload, job security, and the amount of administrative paper-shuffling.

New Malden Councillor Lynne Finnerty said on Twitter: “Conclusion – must do better”.

A report on the survey prepared for councillors said: “Relationships with colleagues, line managers and the public maintain similar levels of satisfaction to previous surveys, although relationships with clients and colleagues have reduced slightly since 2011.

“Flexible working has been used effectively to reduce the impact of longer hours working, and there is scope to extend measures.

“However, there may also be a need to review current working practices, especially in the departments, jobs and grades where levels of workload pressure and stress are high and work/life balance has diminished.”

What council staff said:

Job satisfaction in 2013 / 2011

  • Relations with colleagues 83% / 88%
  • Being able to do a good job 65% / 68%
  • Quality of service offered to public 62% / 62%

Dissatisfaction in 2013 / 2011

  • Staff levels to do job 44% / 50%
  • Your basic pay 39% / 33%
  • Amount of pressure experienced 39% / 37%
 

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