A report into better ways to attract and keep staff at ANU has been handed to HR and the results may surprise you.

Throughout October and November 2007 the University hosted a number of focus groups to determine why staff are attracted to work at ANU as well as what keeps them here.

Around 150 participants were asked a series of questions designed to test their views and perceptions and uncover the key reasons behind their choice of ANU as an employer

According to the results, the following are areas where the University is perceived to perform well:

• Staff are able to perform work that is meaningful and in areas that they wish to be involved in.
• The University is research-intensive and offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of discovery and learning.
• Staff work for the number-one-ranked university in Australia, among the best people in their fields.
• The status of ANU on a CV can be advantageous for future career moves.
• Staff are able to focus on outcomes, rather than the hours put in.
• The campus is attractive, convenient and has good facilities.

The results also identified areas that are important to staff but where respondents felt their expectations and needs were not being met:

• Career planning and a lack of structure and opportunity.
• Limited opportunity, resources or time for learning and development.
• Lack of mentoring and coaching for staff, particularly compared to the support provided to students.
• Poor people skills of managers and supervisors.
• Poor internal communication between managers and their staff.
• Career limitations when accessing the provisions for flexibility or work/life balance.

The University was aware of a number of these negatively perceived areas before the survey and strategies are already in place to address them. The positive aspects of life as an ANU employee will be highlighted in a new recruitment branding program to be launched in March.

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