The Staff Engagement Taskforce (SETF) met on January 15, 2025. A key focus was the organization and clarity of the recommendations discussed in previous meetings. It was suggested to list out the recommendations separately on page 11 for better legibility and to move detailed templates to an appendix. This change aims to enhance the document’s scannability for staff, making it easier for them to access essential information.
Lewis was commended for his efforts in compiling the report, which is a collective achievement of the committee members. The group expressed eagerness to see their collaborative work come to fruition and move into the implementation stage.
The taskforce was formed to address staff engagement issues highlighted in a survey, where staff reported feelings of neglect from department leaders, indicating low engagement. Some members expressed the desire to continue monthly meetings despite the completion of initial goals.
The meeting also addressed how to effectively communicate the findings and recommendations to staff. There was a discussion on potentially creating a condensed version of the report for easier distribution among staff, considering various formats such as PowerPoint or PDF. The importance of choosing the right communication channels—whether through email, Teams, or a dedicated webpage—was emphasized.
Discussions were held regarding the future of the taskforce, with suggestions to either continue monthly meetings or transfer responsibilities to the existing Staff Advisory Council for ongoing issues. The group agreed to meet one more time this month to finalize modifications.
Subcommittees were mentioned, focusing on areas like data analysis and communications. The Data Analysis subcommittee is tasked with analyzing survey results and drafting an initial report. Meanwhile, the Communications subcommittee continues to explore ways to engage staff and disseminate information effectively.
The topic of sharing information with staff was highlighted, with a consensus on providing a mini version of the full report. Concerns were raised regarding the accessibility of the entire report on the web, emphasizing the need for thoughtful distribution to ensure it reaches the intended audience.
Overall, the SETF is committed to enhancing staff engagement through clear communication, actionable recommendations, and a collaborative approach to implementation.
We value your perspective and encourage you to share any additional information or feedback regarding your experience as a staff member in CSSH here: https://cssh.northeastern.edu/cssh-taskforce-feedback. Should you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to CSSHEngagement@northeastern.edu.