Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the purpose of these surveys?

 A. As part of a common survey process, new hire, transfer and exit surveys are being implemented throughout Saskatchewan ’s health care system.

Each of the surveys will focus on the views and opinions of health care employees. Those entering the system will be able to provide better insight into what attracts health care employees to certain positions and/or locations and for those transferring and leaving the surveys provide an opportunity to express their views regarding the reasons for their change.

The input provided will be used by health care employers to address retention and recruitment issues and continue to improve the health care workplace.

Q. Will all health care employees hired, leaving or exiting be asked to complete a survey?

 A. At this point, the surveys will only be used to target specific hard-to-recruit groups, which may include Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses. Other health care professionals may be considered at a later date. However, all resigning and retiring employees will be invited to complete the exit survey..

Q. If the survey is applicable to an employee, how will they receive it?

A. The surveys will utilize the Internet Personnel Front End (iPFE) system, which is the Human Resource Management system. This system stores the names and addresses of all health care employees and is used in the calculation of employee pay.

There are two ways employees can receive the survey:

• If they have a work e-mail address stored in iPFE they will receive an email stating that they have met the criteria to complete a survey. This email will provide them with a website address to go to in order to enter their responses online. If they are uncomfortable using a computer to enter their responses, they will also be able to write them on a paper copy of the survey;

If they do not have an email address on iPFE they will receive a letter from their HR department providing them with the same information noted previously to enter their responses either online or on a paper copy.

Computer kiosks will be conveniently located at health care facilities throughout the region for employee’s use in completing the surveys.

Q. How can employees ensure their answers to questions are protected?

 A. All information obtained through the surveys will be treated confidentially and used appropriately to address the purpose of the survey. Individual responses will only be shared with management if an employee has explicitly provided approval.

Each region will have their own policies in place to address employee confidentiality in using the results collected to meet the purposes of these surveys.

Q. How will the results of these surveys be used?

 A. Survey results will be used internally to provide employers with better insight into the opinions and viewpoints of health care employees. This input will assist in enhancing retention and recruitment methods and overall employee satisfaction.

Q. Once the survey is done and we have the results what are the next steps?

 A. The results will be analyzed to determine in which areas expectations are being met and which areas require improvement. We will then be able to use these results to incorporate improvement recommendations into their planning documents for our health care workplaces.

Q. Will I have an opportunity to see the results of these surveys?

 A. The answer to this question will need to be determined on a region-by-region basis.