Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan

Online Membership Survey Results

January 6 2011

Survey Highlights

• Nearly Three Quarters of respondents (74.6%)

believe that staffing levels within their workplace are

inadequate to provide service to the public

• More than One Third (37.9%) of respondents confirm

that their professional group has had vacancies in

their workplace within the past year

Survey Highlights

• When asked to explain why many of these vacancies

were not posted, the number one response from

employers was Budget/No Funding (31.4%)

• Nearly One Fifth of Health Sciences members

(17.9%) say if working conditions do not improve,

they will leave the health care field or leave the

province within three years

• 29.7% of Health Sciences members have ten years

or less to go before they plan to retire

Employment Status(773 Respondents)

67.9

18.4

8.81.8 0.6 2.4 0.1

0

20

40

60

80

%

"Which of the following best describes your current employment status?"

Full-Time Part-Time Casual

Maternity Leave Disability Other

Don't Know/Refused

Reason for Part-Time Status(142 Respondents)

30.3

64.1

4.90.7

0

20

40

60

80

%

"(Asked of respondents who said status was Part-Time) Would you work full-time if a permanent position was available or are you working

part-time by choice?"

Would Work Full-Time Part-Time By Choice Other Don't Know/Refused

Casual Hours for Part-Time Workers(142 Respondents)

32.4

712

43

5.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"(Asked of respondents who said status was Part-Time) How many Casual Hours are you working in addition to your Part-Time Position?

Would you say that it would average..."

<5 Hours Per Week 5-10 Hours Per Week > 10 Hours Per Week

Other Don't Know/Refused

Casual Hours for Casual Workers(68 Respondents)

32.4

13.2

20.6

8.813.2

8.8

3

0

10

20

30

40

%

"(Asked of respondents who said status was Casual) How many Hours are you working on a weekly basis? Would you say that you average..."

< 5 Hours Per Week 5-10 Hours Per Week 11-20 Hours Per Week

21-30 Hours Per Week > 30 Hours Per Week Other

Don't Know/Refused

Stand By Hours for Casual Workers(68 Respondents)

29.4

2.9

7.4 5.9

11.8

23.5

19.1

0

10

20

30

%

"(Asked of respondents who said status was Casual) How many Hours do you spend on Stand By on a weekly basis? Would you say that you

average..."

< 5 Hours Per Week 5-10 Hours Per Week 11-20 Hours Per Week

21-30 Hours Per Week > 30 Hours Per Week Other

Don't Know/Refused

Full Staffing(773 Respondents)

27.7

63.5

5.3 3.5

0

20

40

60

80

%

"Do you consider your profession to be fully staffed in your workplace for full-time, part-time and casual positions?"

Yes No Unsure Other

Full-Time Positions Required(491 Respondents)

15.9

26.1

18.9

11.49.4

5.7 6.9 5.7

0

10

20

30

%

"(Asked of respondents who said not fully staffed) In your professional opinion, how many more full-time positions are required in your

workplace to provide an appropriate level of service to the public?"

One Two Three Four Five > 5 Other Don't Know/Refused

Part-Time Positions Required(491 Respondents)

20.817.3

6.1 6.53.7

1.4

14.3

29.9

0

10

20

30

%

"(Asked of respondents who said not fully staffed) In your professional opinion, how many more part-time positions are required in your

workplace to provide an appropriate level of service to the public?"

One Two Three Four Five > 5 Other Don't Know/Refused

Casual Positions Required(491 Respondents)

12.614.1

18.9

7.75.5

7.74.5

28.9

0

10

20

30

%

"(Asked of respondents who said not fully staffed) In your professional opinion, how many more Casual positions are required in your

workplace to provide an appropriate level of service to the public?"

None One Two Three Four Five Other Don't Know/Refused

Full-Time Position Vacancies(773 Respondents)

11.8 11.9

3.46.7

53.4

12.8

0

20

40

60

"Are there currently Full-Time Position vacancies for your occupational group in your workplace, and if so, how many full-time

positions are currently vacant (Whether or not the employer has formally posted the position?"

Yes, 1 Yes, 2 Yes, 3 Yes, Other No Unsure

Part-Time Position Vacancies(773 Respondents)

12.93.4 1.3 2.3

60.4

19.7

0

20

40

60

80

%

"Are there currently Part-Time Position vacancies for your occupational group in your workplace, and if so, how many part-time positions are currently vacant (whether or not the employer

has formally posted the position?"

Yes, 1 Yes, 2 Yes, 3 Yes, Other No Unsure

Casual Position Vacancies(773 Respondents)

4.3 2.5 2.5 4.1

62

24.6

0

20

40

60

80

%

"Are there currently any Casual Position vacancies for your occupational group in your workplace, and if so, how many casual

positions are currently vacant (whether or not the employer has formally posted the position)?"

Yes, 1 Yes, 2 Yes, 3 Yes, Other No Unsure

Vacant Positions Not Posted(773 Respondents)

37.9

44.4

17.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"In the past year, have positions for your occupational group (full-time, part-time or casual) in your workplace been vacated, but not

posted by the employer?"

Yes No Unsure

Full-Time Positions Left Vacant(293 Respondents)

22.914.7

6.5 6.1

49.8

0

20

40

60

%

"(Asked of respondents who said vacant positions not posted) Please indicate the number of Full-Time Positions for your

occupational group that have become vacant, but have not been posted by your employer in the past year"

One Two Three > Three No Response

Full-Time Positions Left Vacant(Percentage of Total Sample -- 773 Respondents)

8.75.6

2.5 2.3

18.9

44.4

17.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"Please indicate the number of Full-Time Positions for your occupational group that have become vacant, but have not been posted by your

employer in the past year"

One Two Three > Three No Response No Unsure

Part-Time Positions Left Vacant(293 Respondents)

22.9

5.1 1.4 0

70.6

0

20

40

60

80

%

"(Asked of respondents who said vacant positions not posted) Please indicate the number of Part-Time Positions for your

occupational group that have become vacant, but have not been posted by your employer in the past year"

One Two Three > Three No Response

Part-Time Positions Left Vacant(Percentage of Total Sample -- 773 Respondents)

8.7

2 0.5 0

26.8

44.4

17.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"Please indicate the number of Part-Time Positions for your occupational group that have become vacant, but have not been posted by your

employer in the past year"

One Two Three > Three No Response No Unsure

Casual Positions Left Vacant(293 Respondents)

4.8 3.8 1.4 2.7

87.3

0

20

40

60

80

100

%

"(Asked of respondents who said vacant positions not posted) Please indicate the number of Casual Positions for your

occupational group that have become vacant, but have not been posted by your employer in the past year"

One Two Three > Three No Response

Casual Positions Left Vacant(Percentage of Total Sample -- 773 Respondents)

1.8 1.4 0.5 1

33.3

44.4

17.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"Please indicate the number of Casual Positions for your occupational group that have become vacant, but have not been posted by your

employer in the past year"

One Two Three > Three No Response No Unsure

Explanation for Failure to Post(293 Respondents)

31.4

5.1 3.1 3.1 1.7 1.7

19.514.7

3.3

16.4

0

10

20

30

40

%

"(Asked of respondents who reported vacant positions not posted) What explanation has your workplace management given for not

posting these vacant positions?"

Budget/Funding No Suitable Candidates Overstaffed

Other Staff to Cover Too Busy to Post Arbitrations

Have Not Asked Refused Explanation Other

Don't Know/Refused

Adequate Staffing Levels(773 Respondents)

18

74.6

7.4

0

20

40

60

80

"In your professional opinion, do you believe that within your own workplace, there are currently enough positions (full-time,

part-time and casual) to provide an adequate level of your professional services to the public?"

Yes No Unsure

Member Comments on Staffing Levels(773 Respondents)

17.2

13.7

9.78.7 8.2 7.4 6.9

4.32.7 2.2

16.4

2.7

0

5

10

15

20

"…Could you please provide a short explanation of why you feel that way?"

Staff Levels Inadequate Long Wait Lists No Back-Up Staffing

No Staff for added Duties Meeting Minimal Needs High Caseloads

No Service for Some Unsafe Staffing Levels Hard to Recruit

Positions Being Cut Other No Response

Employers and Service Levels(773 Respondents)

11.1

69.1

19.8

0

20

40

60

80

%

"Do you know how your employer establishes an appropriate service level for the professional services you provide to the public?"

Yes No Unsure

Departmental Wait Lists(773 Respondents)

40.9

21.3

15.5

22.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"Does your department have a wait list?"

Yes No Unsure Not Applicable

Wait List for Urgent Cases(316 Respondents)

7

34.8

27.8

14.2

5.1

11.1

0

10

20

30

40

%

"(Asked of respondents who said department has a wait list) How long does it take an urgent case to be seen?"

< 1 Day 1-7 Days 1-4 Weeks 1-4 Months > 4 Months Don't Know/Refused

Wait List for Elective Cases(316 Respondents)

0.6

6

15.5

26.9

17.1

33.9

0

10

20

30

40

%

"(Asked of respondents who said department has a wait list) How long does it take an elective case to be seen?"

< 1 Day 1-7 Days 1-4 Weeks 1-4 Months > 4 Months Don't Know/Refused

Reducing Wait Lists(773 Respondents)

17.7

35.3

13.3

33.7

0

10

20

30

40

%

"Has your employer made you aware of any plans to try to reduce the wait lists for your professional services?"

Yes No Unsure Not Applicable

Standby Shifts(773 Respondents)

13.5

83.8

2.7

0

20

40

60

80

100

%

"Are you assigned standby shifts by your employer?"

Yes No Unsure

Number of Standby Shifts(104 Respondents)

5.8 4.8 6.7 3.811.6

54.8

12.5

0

20

40

60

%

"(Asked of respondents who said they are assigned Standby Shifts) On average, how many times per week are you assigned a

Standby Shift?"

Once Twice Three Four All Shifts Other Don't Know/Refused

Standby Shift Employer Expectations(104 Respondents)

56.7

27.9

11.53.9

0

20

40

60

%

"(Asked of respondents who said they are assigned Standby Shifts) If your employer requests that you cover a standby shift, is there an expectation on the employer's part that you must take that shift?"

Yes No Unsure Refused

Departmental Overtime(773 Respondents)

16

76.2

4.8 3

0

20

40

60

80

%

"Does your department offer overtime on a regular basis?"

Yes No Unsure Refused

Departmental Overtime Hours(124 Respondents)

42.7

16.9

9.7

0.8

22.6

7.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"(Asked of respondents who said employer offers overtime regularly) On average, how many hours of overtime a week do you work?"

< 5 Hours 5-10 Hours 11-20 Hours > 20 Hours Other Don't Know/Refused

Market Supplement(773 Respondents)

30.1

44.2

25.1

0.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"Is your wage Market Supplemented?"

Yes No Unsure Refused

Performance of Market Supplement(233 Respondents)

23.2

46.8

29.6

0.40

10

20

30

40

50

%

"(Asked of respondents with Market Supplemented Wage) Do you believe your Market Supplement is addressing the recruitment and

retention issues it was intended to fix?"

Yes No Unsure Refused

Comments on Market Supplement(233 Respondents)

1816.315.9

12.910.3

6.43.9 3 2.1

8.2

3

0

5

10

15

20

%

"…Please tell us what makes you feel that way"

It has Helped Wages Still too Low Vacancies not being Filled

Working Conditions Unsure of Benefit Still not Competitive

Add to Base Wage Not Guaranteed Unfair to Some

Other No Response

Professional Development (773 Respondents)

41.9

9.3

35.3

12.4

1.1

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"Does your employer provide you with ongoing education or professional development opportunities?"

Yes No Sometimes Other Don't Know/Refused

Contributions to Registration Fees(597 Respondents)

38.2

11.2

43.6

4.2 2.8

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"(Asked of respondents who said 'yes' or 'sometimes') When you are provided with these educational or professional development

opportunities, does your employer cover the full cost of your Registration Fees?"

Yes No Sometimes Other Don't Know/Refused

Contributions to Travel Costs(597 Respondents)

2426.6

35.8

4.98.7

0

10

20

30

40

%

"(Asked of respondents who said 'yes' or 'sometimes') When you are provided with these educational or professional development

opportunities, does your employer cover the full cost of your Travel Costs to the Site of the Training?"

Yes No Sometimes Other Don't Know/Refused

Contributions to Time Off Work(597 Respondents)

43.9

14.4

30.2

5.7 5.8

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"(Asked of respondents who said 'yes' or 'sometimes') When you are provided with these educational or professional development

opportunities, does your employer cover the full cost of your Time off Work?"

Yes No Sometimes Other Don't Know/Refused

Sick Days(773 Respondents)

54.5

23.9

5.21.3 3.6

10

1.50

20

40

60

%

"In the past twelve months, approximately how many sick and injury-related days did you take off work?"

< 5 Days 5-10 Days 11-20 Days

21-30 Days > 30 Days Other

Don't Know/Refused

Employment Intentions(773 Respondents)

32

8.212.8

10.17.8 7.5

9.412.2

0

10

20

30

40

%

"If working conditions within your workplace do not improve in the next three years, what are your intentions with regard to your current employment?"

Work Current Hours Work Reduced Hours Other Health Care Position

Leave Health Care Field Leave the Province Retire

Other Don't Know/Refused

Comments on Staffing and Service (773 Respondents)

14.411.4

5.6 4.4 3.9 3.4 3.4 1.3

11.6

40.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

%

"Is there anything additional you want to tell us about staffing and service levels that you think we need to know at the bargaining table with health care

employers?"

Professions Undervalued Staffing Inadequate Poor Management

Staffing Unsafe Staff Burned Out No Back-up Staff

Budget Cuts Misplaced Priorities Other

Nothing to Add

Gender(773 Respondents)

21.5

76.8

1.7

0

20

40

60

80

%

Male Female Refused

Age Group(773 Respondents)

19.7

29.5

23.520.8

4.3

0.41.8

0

10

20

30

%

< 30 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-65 65 + Refused

Years Employed in Sask Health (773 Respondents)

29.2

24.826.4

14.4

4.7

0.50

10

20

30

%

< 5 Years 5-10 Years 11-20 Years 21-30 Years > 30 Years Refused

Years to Retirement(773 Respondents)

13.516.2

26.428.7

12.5

2.7

0

10

20

30

%

"Considering your own personal situation, how many years is it likely to be before you retire from full-time employment in health care?"

< 5 Years 5-10 Years 11-20 Years 21-30 Years > 30 Years Refused

Primary Workplace(773 Respondents)

17.2

5.3

33.4

6.94.1

0.8

30.1

2.2

0

10

20

30

40

"Which of the following would best describe your Primary Place of Work?"

Health Centre Home Care Hospital

Integrated Facility Long Term Care Private Practice

Other Don't Know/Refused

Regional Health Authority(773 Respondents)

4 5.44.70.5

3.22.25.85.4

28.8 29.4

3.94.50.41.7

0

10

20

30

"In which Saskatchewan Regional Health Authority is your primary workplace located?"

Cypress Five Hills Heartland

Keewatin Kelsey Trail Mamawetan

Prairie North PA Parkland Regina

Saskatoon Sun Country Sunrise

Other Don't Know/Refused

Professional Positions(773 Respondents – Top Ten Professions Participating)

11.6

9.7 9.7

7.5 7.15.8 5.2 4.8 4.7 4.4

0

5

10

15

"What is your current position in the Saskatchewan health care sector?"

Social Worker Assessor/Coordinator Physical Therapist

Addictions Counsellor Occupational Therapist Dietitian

Pharmacist Paramedic EMTs

Psychologist

Professional Positions(773 Respondents – Professions 11-20 Participating)

43.6 3.5 3.4

2.5 2.3

0.9 0.8 0.6 0.5

0

1

2

3

4

5

"What is your current position in the Saskatchewan health care sector?"

Respiratory Therapist SLP Public Health Inspector

Health Educator Mental Health Therapist Recreation Therapist

Exercise Therapist Nutritionist Orthopists

Infection Control

Project Methodology

• The Health Sciences Online Membership Survey

was conducted using the secure website of an

independent, professional market research company

-- Interactive Tracking Systems of Saskatoon

• The survey instrument was developed, and the

survey data was reviewed, analyzed and reported

on by Points West Consulting of Regina, a market

research and strategic communications firm

Project Methodology

• The online survey was distributed to a random

sample of union members (2,222 members with live

e-mail addresses on file with Health Sciences)

• The online survey was open from December 1-

December 10 2010

• In that time period, 773 Health Sciences members

completed and submitted the survey or 34.8% of the

members to whom it had been sent

Project Methodology

• A sample size of 773 Health Sciences members out

of a province-wide membership of 3,020 provides

the online membership survey results with a Margin

of Error of +/-3.1% to a 95% Confidence Level