More than half (59 percent) of higher education faculty and staff feel their voice is not heard at work, according to a survey of more than 550 employees at higher education institutions about topics ranging from compensation and benefits to stress and campus leadership.
The findings are part of Grant Thornton’s second State of Work in America survey, which polled more than 5,000 employees from a cross-section of industries, and they arrive amid ongoing retention concerns in higher education.
According to the survey, benefits packages–once seen as a key employment draw for higher education institutions–may be losing some of their appeal.
Just 39 percent of the higher education employees surveyed feel their benefits and rewards are “unique and different” from what they could receive from another employer. This is a significant difference from the average of 51 percent reported in the larger State of Work in America survey. Additionally, just 37 percent of higher education employees say their pay allows them to live the lifestyle they choose, compared to 46 percent of State of Work in America respondents overall.
Gary Setterberg, a managing director in the Human Capital Services practice at Grant Thornton, says these compensation and benefits findings are likely the result of increased institutional pressures. Colleges and universities are trying to keep tuition and other costs competitive, and as a result, more money for faculty and staff is often left out of the budget. It’s also important to note the desire for flexibility: Over half (56 percent) of higher education employees prefer to go into the office fewer than four days within a two-week period.
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