Pathway to Change Agreement - Culture and the Interim Trust Survey Headline Results for November 202
No. 496/21
17th November 2021
Dear Colleagues,
Pathway to Change Agreement – Culture and the Interim Trust Survey Headline Results for November 2021
Further to LTB 424/21 that was circulated on 7th October 2021, Branches will recall that the next phase of the interim Trust Survey commenced on 1st November 2021 for the South Midlands, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Central & East London and Thames Valley SDL areas as well as National Distribution including Parcel Hubs, RDCs, and Walk Bundling Centres.
Following the closure of the survey, the headline results were supplied to the DGS(P) Department on 15th November 2021 and were considered by the Postal Executive at a meeting earlier today. These are attached for the information of Branches and Representatives (Attachment 1). The overall return rate for this interim survey was 68% compared to the previous interim survey in October of 65%. The return rate improved across each SDL area to that of the Big Trust Survey as did the return rate in National Distribution.
In terms of the latest trust score, this is at 70% and continues to be based on five particular questions. This compares to 68% for the October interim survey.
The lower quartile of the frontline units surveyed had a trust score of 61% and below with the lowest unit delivering a trust score of 32%. At the other end of the scale the best score was 98% with the upper quartile of trust scores being 80% and above.
In relation to awareness of action plans agreed by SDL (or equivalent) area or Business Unit and knowledge of making progress against the action plan, it should be noted that these latest interim results illustrate that this stands at 63% and 86% respectively across the returns, compared to the October survey figures of 61% and 87%. These figures have remained relatively consistent throughout the August – November interim questionnaires and illustrate that just over a third of units/shifts that have been surveyed, still have no agreed action plan.
The DGS(P) Department are still waiting for the unit by unit breakdown of the figures and once received, this information will be sent to the relevant Divisional Representatives and Postal Executive members to help inform their discussions with the appropriate managers.
The business have also agreed to hold a further joint deep dive briefing for the SDLs and Divisional Representatives who cover the areas that were surveyed and a date is currently being arranged. For National Distribution including Parcel Hubs, RDC’s and Walk Bundling Centres, this session will be held on 25th November 2021.
Branches and Representatives will also be aware that it was agreed to include tailored, function-specific questions in the October and November surveys by Operational Manager area following input from the Outdoor Department. The results of these five questions are also attached for information (Attachment 2).
Due to the peak period, the final interim survey will not start until 17th January 2022 and involve those in the Cheshire & Merseyside, North East and Cumbria, South West and Medway SDL areas.
The next Big Trust Survey is due to be conducted from 14th March until 3rd April 2022 and an initial joint planning meeting is due to be held in January 2022.
Whilst the participation rate for the interim survey has fluctuated between 65% and 72%, the results of the survey are now starting to produce feedback that will help to inform the ongoing discussions on culture and the working environment. The functional questions are also helping to produce an insight into how our national agreements are being deployed in the field.
This joint work continues to be an important strand towards our common goal of improving the culture within Royal Mail Group and I would like to thank all Branches and Representatives for continuing to promote the Trust Survey.
Additional updates will be provided as and when further developments occur.
Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.
Yours sincerely,
Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)