Thanks to employee feedback, WashU IT teams will ramp up participation in university- and team-led activities this fall and winter. Input from a connection and giving survey that was conducted during the summer highlights the preference for smaller gatherings as opposed to larger group events. This feedback is shaping the approach being taken by leadership for employee engagement activities.
A multi-year effort to strengthen the culture and workplace experience across WashU IT, since 2023, the initiative has relied on employee surveys, focus groups and leadership retreats to identify what matters most to staff and to guide a broader strategic plan for FY27-28.
The latest input that was shared during the September IT All Hands meeting came from the Connection and Giving Survey, which WashU IT employees completed this past summer. During the meeting, a sincere thank you was extended to those who took the time to complete the survey. The Employee Engagement Committee has since reviewed the results and shared them with the senior leadership team and senior staff in WashU IT.
To recap the information that was shared, survey respondents said they prefer small, casual gatherings with optional attendance, and asked for future activities to be scheduled during the workday whenever possible. Employees also expressed interest in pairing giving and volunteer opportunities with social events, rather than standalone donation drives.
Respondents pointed to a handful of longtime favorites they would like to see return, including barbecues at 4480, giving campaigns and lively competitions, and other smaller team gatherings. There was also strong interest expressed in expanding lunch-and-learn sessions and other cross-team programming.
The senior leadership team and senior staff have since met to discuss the timing and format of upcoming events based on that feedback. The Employee Engagement Committee reviewed the discussion and is sharing an updated proposed plan with the WashU IT leaders this week.
A further update on the Employee Engagement initiative will be shared at the October All Hands meeting.