Workplace satisfaction survey Herta Mohr among LIAS staff
In 2024, the Herta Mohr building was brought into use. The Faculty Office was the first group to be housed in the new building. Towards the end of 2024, a workplace satisfaction survey was conducted among these staff members. With the relocation of LIAS to Herta Mohr in September 2024, the building became fully operational. Now that LIAS staff have had considerable time to experience their workplace in practice, a survey has been conducted to assess how they perceive their working environment.
Over 50 colleagues shared their views on the building, offices, and immediate work environment through personal conversations and a digital survey. The results have highlighted concrete areas for improvement in Herta Mohr. Additionally, the input from LIAS helps us prepare effectively for future internal relocations within the Humanities Campus, such as the move to Aleida Nijland.
Later this autumn, as well as measuring satisfaction levels, occupancy rates are being quantified to gain insight into how the various spaces in Herta Mohr are actually being used.
Workplace satisfaction
57% of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with their workplace overall, while 15% are neutral, and 28% are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Staff with their own office tend to be more satisfied than those who share a space. Positive feedback was given on the availability and booking of meeting rooms, as well as the teaching spaces in Herta Mohr.
The building is appreciated for its light, modern appearance and interior atmosphere. Staff are generally satisfied with the ICT facilities and the extent to which the environment supports collaboration. The coffee corner is also seen as a plus. Those with private offices are mostly satisfied with storage options, while those sharing offices are less so.
The survey also revealed several concerns that negatively impact workplace satisfaction. These include the openness and transparency of offices, privacy issues, and the ability to work in a focused manner. Staff also expressed dissatisfaction with lighting, temperature, and the ability to regulate the indoor climate. Wayfinding within the building was another point of concern. These insights provide clear starting points for further improvements.
Taking action
The input from the interviews and survey has led to a number of action points that have already been addressed or will be implemented shortly. In collaboration with Real Estate and the climate system installer, efforts have been made to create a more stable indoor climate, which is already resulting in more consistent temperatures throughout the building. At the same time, it is important to set realistic expectations: during winter, the standard temperature in university buildings is 19 degrees Celsius, which may feel slightly cool to some staff members.
To improve wayfinding within the building, additional signage and overview boards will be installed in several locations over the coming weeks. In consultation with LIAS institute management, the housing department is developing a plan to increase privacy in offices where needed, by applying film coating on the glass walls. The settings of the sunshades have already been adjusted, which is expected to resolve the issues previously experienced by staff. Unfortunately, only limited adjustments can be made to the lighting. For staff experiencing discomfort, possible solutions can be explored on a room-by-room basis. Finally, additional storage space is available for LIAS staff who require additional cabinets.
A sincere thank you to all staff who took the time to participate in an interview or complete the survey!