Conduct an employee engagement survey by mid-2022, and based on survey data, develop and implement strategies to incorporate survey outcomes into future operational planning.
The employee engagement survey is a key strategic priority for the County of Sonoma to evaluate and improve employee engagement and the County’s performance and services to our community. The survey will help the County to better understand where we are doing well and identify areas for improvement.
Over the past year, Human Resources selected the Institute for Public Sector Employee Engagement (a division of CPS-HR) to assist with the design, development, implementation, data collection, and analysis of an employee engagement survey. The survey was launched on November 4, 2024, to all permanent part-time and full-time employees. CPS-HR will provide reports at the Department level, as well as organization-wide metrics to inform future strategies.
The survey will incorporate the US Census demographic categories allowing participants to provide a way to communicate in great detail various aspects of their identity, including race, language preference, gender identity, and other factors. In addition, the survey will ask respondents about age, tenure with the County, plans to leave/stay, and other work-related demographic questions. Including these categories will allow County leadership to better understand how different groups are experiencing their county employment.
MILESTONE | ORIGINAL DATE | UPDATED DATE | STATUS |
Survey partner agencies and identify any that have conducted an employee engagement survey | September 2021 | Completed | |
Identify potential vendors | October 2021 | Completed | |
Compete for Funding ($5million) | February 2022 | February 2024 | Completed – Board approved $50,000 |
Conduct RFP if needed and elect vendor | March 2022 | March 2024 | Completed |
Identify and engage stakeholders and labor representatives | March 2022 | March 2024 | Completed |
Develop communications plan | April 2022 | April 2024 | Completed |
Conduct survey | June 2022 | November 2024 | In Process |
Establish a cross-County working group to begin evaluating data | December 2022 | December 2024 | Working group identified |
Request funding for program implementation as needed | January 2023 | January 2025 | TBD |
Evaluate options, engage appropriate stakeholders | June 2023 | February 2025 | |
Plan, develop and implement new programs/policies as needed | December 2023 | July 2025 | |
Conduct subsequent surveys no sooner than every 2 years to assess progress and to inform continued need for program/policy development | ongoing | ongoing |
Working closely with Office of Equity to align design and implementation of the survey with Racial Equity Action Plan measures. Additionally, engaging with Employee Organizations/Unions to promote participation in survey, and anticipating their participation in the development of operational adjustments resulting from the survey data analysis.
Active alignment with the Sonoma County Racial Equity Action Plan (adopted by Board in May 2024). Initiative is internal to the County organization so no current community engagement is planned.
CPS HR Consulting will be conducting the employee engagement survey. The $50,000 allocation from Strategic Plan funding is expected to be fully spent by June 30, 2025.
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