Actions update from Staff Survey 2024

Over the past six months, members of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and the Directorate have actively engaged with their teams, holding discussions and developing action plans in response to the findings of the 2024 Staff Survey.

159 actions across the university

This work has resulted in the creation of 159 actions across the university. Several common themes have emerged from these actions:

• Digital Collaboration – Enhancing the use of Microsoft Teams, improving internal communications, and celebrating team successes.
• Management Support – Ensuring line managers provide consistent support and clear direction.
• Development – Promoting conversations around career growth and development opportunities.
• Operational Efficiency – Reviewing internal processes and systems to improve effectiveness.
• Inclusion – Embedding Diversity and Inclusion objectives within local teams and practices.
• Wellbeing – Supporting staff wellbeing through ongoing initiatives, promoting work-life balance, and reviewing workload allocation.

At the university level, three key focus areas were identified: Leadership, Valuing Staff, and Collaboration.

Leadership

Survey responses highlighted a strong desire for clearer, more frequent communication, a shared understanding of LJMU’s vision and strategic direction, and greater autonomy within the Directorate. Staff also emphasised the need for more timely decision-making.

Actions:

• The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) has continued to host open forums across the university, sharing updates on key topics and providing opportunities for staff to ask questions.
• A “Plan on a Page” document is being developed to consolidate university plans and clearly illustrate how they contribute to the delivery of the overall strategy.
• To support greater decision-making autonomy, a review of the Scheme of Delegation has been completed. Additionally, a development programme for the Directorate is being planned for implementation later this year.

Valuing Staff

Staff feedback underscored the need for greater recognition and more meaningful career development opportunities.

Actions:

• A review of recognition events led to the creation of a unified LJMU Staff Celebration Event, which took place in March and honoured over 250 staff members for their outstanding contributions. This event incorporates the Professional Services Awards alongside the Teaching Excellence and Research & Knowledge Exchange Excellence Awards.
• A new peer-to-peer recognition platform, High Five, will be launched as part of the Vivup Benefits suite. This tool allows peer-to-peer recognition and senior leaders to acknowledge contributions and award small tokens of appreciation.
• Line managers have been asked to facilitate regular career development conversations, ensuring these are recorded in Actus. This initiative will continue throughout 2025 and into 2026.

Collaboration

The survey revealed a need for improved collaboration between departments and a more open environment where staff feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns.

Actions:

• The ELT and Directorate are modelling a courageous and collaborative culture, exemplified by initiatives such as the Transformational Change Project and the review of professional services operations.
• The relaunch of Respect Always, the implementation of the Report and Support platform, and the integration of Diversity and Inclusion goals at the local level are all helping to create a safer, more inclusive workplace where all voices are heard.

Thank You

1. Thank you to all staff for your valuable feedback and for contributing to the development of actions across LJMU. The Your LJMU, Your Voice survey is a vital tool for senior leadership to understand the key issues affecting staff at both local and institutional levels and, more importantly, to act on them.

The 2025 Staff Survey will launch on Monday 12 May, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts once again.