Transcript Document
Ravenna City Schools Custodial & Maintenance Needs Assessment March 2003 Words to Describe Department Necessary (4) Interesting(2) Caring Helpful (2) Dependable (3) Productive Efficient (3) Fun Dedicated (5) Busy Loyal(3) Enjoyable Practical Honest Family Skilled Diverse Friendly Ambitious Liasons Compatible Supportive(2) Amicable Professional(2) Cooperative Hardworking (5) Unique Prideful Flexible Team players(2) Open minded Excellent Knowledgeable Respectful Organized Caring(2) Steady Thorough Friends Exceptional Improving Vital Important Understaffed (2) Disarray Contentious Slackers Deficient Unorganized Unaccountable Complainers Rifts w Shifts Irresponsible Overworked (2) Nitpicking Unfair Lack Pride Underpaid Inconsistent Enjoy most about job Kids(9) Everything Problem Solving Faculty/Staff (3) Job is manageable Learn something new everyday 2nd shift Taking pride in my work Being part of district Having something to do Being close to home Meeting teachers’ needs Challenges/ing (3) When day goes as planned Doing things for others Every day is different (6) Being with other people (4) Getting building ready for next day(2) Getting my time in Getting my job done Feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day (2) Leaving my areas looking as good as I can Being responsible for getting things done Making environment pleasing for all Least enjoyable about my job Old building with lots of needs Being an “outsider” Routine gets interrupted Cafeteria Gets hectic When I don’t understand something Trying to work around all of the activities (3) Politics When things don’t go well Cleaning Big events that take away from regular duties Criticism for not getting it done Cleaning up after sick kids Repetition Not enough time to get the job done(4) Shifting gears Can’t keep up Profane language Can’t be as thorough as I’d like Property damage Understaffed Irresponsibility Daily demands overwhelming Seeing teachers disrespected Pulled away from duties for non-emergent reasons Other’s poor planning becomes my emergency Going home Working off the pager Disregard of some groups Hard physical labor( in summer) (3) Abused Kids Being pushed around Summer work Cleaning up after kids who don’t care Cleaning up after everyone Grab us for ALL their needs whether it’s our job or not Fear of proceeding when I’m not sure if I can do it My shift Times when proud of work Everyday (5) Saw something needed to be done and did it! Summertime teamwork; got it all done (2) Found valuables and turned them in to Admin Included as part of Building staff Committee Appointment Troubleshot prob @ one of the Bldgs Recognized for all my years of hard work Holiday time Enhanced appearance of facility and grounds Citation for excellent work Promoted Teachers gave me a certificate of appreciation Made changes from the routine Took initiative @ Xmas time to do extras Staffing changes Selected to fill in for supervisor(2) Hosted event Appreciated by students for keeping school so clean Kept up with demands of inclement weather Opening Day! What part did you play? Took initiative to do extra (5) Do my best(6) Got necessary training Get along with everyone Always pitch in for events and participate in activities Hustled! (2) Listened to everyone’s ideas Did some extras for staff Take pride in my work (3) Keep up with everything even if it means uncompensated overtime Persistence Worked over my lunch hour Do my job Try to meet everyone’s needs Responsible, reliable Trustworthy Worked hard to get it all done Made facility look great! Rushed and worked hard Assumed new responsibilities Good track record; can count on me Other contributing circumstances Staff (Others) were appreciative (5) Others recognized my accomplishments Internal satisfaction of getting it all done (2) Compliments (5) People wanted ME in this building! Principal & Staff see me as part of the team Everybody who was there went the extra mile Head custodian OK’d extra work Admin approval Need to please staff Overtime allotted Admin recognition for job well done (3) Pride taken in my work Liking who I work with Principal rewarded us Recognition of my strengths Internal motivation Danny believing in me Support of others in my department Understaffed Worked as a team Students thanked me Time when things didn’t go well Superintendent was unhappy Overlooked for a promotion Personal challenges Disagreements with Admin on work conditions Favoritism Some get away with things they shouldn’t Admin looking the other way Project fraught with problems Pleasing others to detriment of my own health Reassigned with no input from me Summer and others were not doing their part Summer scramble to get it all done Couldn’t devote enough time to get the job done well Promises not kept by Admin Pulled from jobs; can’t finish Short staffed Didn’t get a good evaluation Unrealistic expectations of staff Couldn’t get job done by next day Disrespectful/angry faculty Couldn’t get job done; understaffed(3) What we’d like parents, students and teachers to say about us… We make clean, attractive places to walk into We’re a reliable, accountable and responsible crew We’re doing a great job Things are better than ever before We meet their needs We do a wonderful job with what we have They’re always doing more with less We have pride in what we do (2) We’re here for the community They’re impressed by the appearance and cleanliness of the facilities They’re amazed by how we get it all done We make a good environment for the kids to learn in People feel safe and confident in our buildings We do the best we can Reputation (continued) We’re doing a good job (2) The facilities are clean (2) We work together, get along, and everybody is equal We’re doing what we’re suppose to and we’re doing it well Staff is friendly and courteous and the facilities are clean Can always count on us We’re part of the team They’re proud to walk in our schools because of what we do There has been great improvement in cleanliness and neatness of schools We care about the kids and parents are comfortable with us being with their kids We’re not just here for the paycheck It’s a fine operation of manpower There’s more than meets the eye We’re friendly, efficient and produce quality work We do the best we can Reputation (continued) We make a home-like, safe, secure and comfortable environment We’re concerned and we care for kids and teachers We always do our best and they’re pleased with what we do They appreciate us The schools look great and they’re clean The buildings look great and we’re doing a great job We’re approachable and open to feedback We keep clean, well maintained buildings We take pride in our work and maintain the properties We do a good job and we’re vital to the district Director of Business Operation’s role in our reputation… Adequate staffing Continued interest in employees (2) Reassignment of job duties Periodic allowance of overtime Allow sufficient time to complete job More staffing at night Provision of equipment and supplies (11) Re-evaluation of staffing patterns Insistence we follow “chain of command” Keep communication open (2) Continue upgrading equipment Keep equipment in working order Leadership (2) Don’t overreact to non-emergent situations Provide training opportunities (3) Listen (3) Keep Danny! Be part of the crew Work along side of us Respond quicker to work orders Effective communication Tour the buildings Manage the customers Give feedback about what you see Implement safety measures Provide supervisory trainings Make everyone accountable (3) Be more visible (2) Bill’s role (continued) Don’t overreact to non-emergent situations Be more visible (2) Advise staff of standards and expectations Confront problems/issues (3) Recognize staffs’ time constraints Don’t put things on the back burner Act on what you hear Don’t let things fall thru the cracks Follow up (2) Stand behind staff He’s doing it! Advocate for us Improve communication Demo loyalty to staff Get subs when needed Ask us what works! Help Danny to succeed! Danny’s role in our reputation… Troubleshoot with us (3) Make sure people are pulling their weight (3) Enforce accountability (2) Address absenteeism issue Address substance abuse issues Conduct spot checks (3) Check up on people Be a “watchdog” Conduct on-site inspections Monitor Head Custodians to make sure they’re where they’re suppose to do Spend time at the schools Be more visible Respond to custodians needs Listen to us Ensure maintenance requests are completed in a timely manner Remember where you came from Back up supervisors Support staff & supervisors Be honest with employees Believe in us! Bring out the best in people Keep on top of things Communicate with Bill Coordinate with Admin to get us what we need Danny continued… Stay connected with staff Manage customers for us Investigate situations Help us get what we ask for Approve overtime periodically Make sure everything goes as it is suppose to Relieve Bill of some of his duties Support us Give constructive criticism Tell people what is expected of them Continue to be “hands-on” Distribute work more equally Follow up and follow through (2) Get group working as a team Don’t overlook things Provide adequate staffing(2) Broaden training available to us Reassess staffing Perseverance Keep the Big Picture in view Be someone we can go to for help Know everyone’s job and what it takes to get it done Set appropriate expectations and communicate them Provide supervisors with training on how to manage their staff effectively Danny’s role (continued) Read the “slackers” the riot act Confront those not doing their job Crack the whip on those who need it Tell us like it is Communicate directly with staff; not just through labor relations Keep staff apprised of things going on Ask us what we think Engage us in finding solutions Give prompt and valuable feedback Problem solve Genuinely care about staff Advocate for us to Admin Teach us Best Practices Refrain from finger pointing What we have to do for our reputation… Stay on top of things (2) Make sure I’m on top of things and doing my job (4) Keep doing what I’m doing Update my skills Get the job done Come in to work Bite my tongue and just do it! Stay on task Do my best (7) Ask if anyone from prior shift needs anything Keep positive attitude Do what I’m asked to do Keep my head down Our role (continued) Get along with others Follow through Do my work with a positive attitude and hope it spreads Communicate expectations Follow up Investigate Acknowledge jobs that are getting done Speak up Be straightforward with supervisor & Admin Uphold standards and principles of quality workmanship Take pride in my work (4) Give input Be part of the team Do my job right Share my ideas for improving something What we would most like to change about our department… Provide more on-site training to update skills Cross training Better pay More staff (7) Get more staff for the summer More evening coverage Better working conditions Reassess efficiency Increase Admin awareness of demand for supplies Everyone held to the same standard of performance (2) Workers who aren’t pulling their weight would be confronted Better performance evaluations For everyone to get along and past issues to be resolved For everyone (custodians, faculty, admin) to get Most like to change (continued) Increase budget for supplies Have Danny take over maintenance requests Get rid of the pop machines! Communication improved; staff get accurate information(2) Newer equipment Having each custodian take responsibility for their own work Less complaining Better attendance Better determination of what’s an emergency Having supervision and help when I need it Get equipment when I request it Increase response time to requests Clarification of who to report to One person directing us vs Principal, Supervisor, Dir Bus. Op. etc Reinstate overtime Use subs for set-up & clean-up Limit job duties that are not routine Incentives/Rewards that motivate us! Appreciation (14) Kind words Compliments (9) Praise (4) Credit for what we do Recognition (from Bd of Trustees, Admin, Community, Parents) (11) Acknowledgment by kids Concern for me as a person (2) Change from routine Internal motivation (4) Personal satisfaction (6) Internal sense of accomplishment Challenges Being treated as part of the team Flex/Comp time Money$$$ (3) Money for good attendance (5) Increase $ for longevity Better step increases Pat on the back (6) Thank Yous (4) Respect by faculty and staff (2) Positive interaction between shifts More staff Performance contest Raising the bar Feedback that I’m doing a good job Reinstating overtime Liking who I work with More positive work attitudes Smiles on faces of those I’ve helped Small gifts (2) Provision of tools and training Getting it done! Invitation to staff events Say YES to me when I request stuff! Additional things you should know about us… Summer Summer is chaos! We need additional help in the summer Standards for summer cleaning need to be defined and enforced bldg to bldg Bill is not in touch w work demands; especially in the summer We need to solve the grounds keeping/staffing issues Performance Mgt needs to confront those who aren’t pulling their weight Everyone should be kept to same standards without exception Get Head Custodians doing what they’re suppose to be doing Head Custodians need to improve management/supervisory skills Conduct spot checks to hold people accountable Custodians need to have more pride in what they do Everyone should be held to the same standards It’s difficult to get routine work done due to so many activities and being understaffed Prioritize and delegate when can People come to work under the influence of substances (3) We should implement random drug screening Communication Admin & Supervisors need to communicate to staff what’s going on Communication within bldgs and within dept needs to improve Lack of communication through chain of command Staff needs to see the “Big Picture” Feel beaten down when bring things up and they aren’t resolved Flow of communication gets clogged at the Admin level Let staff speak up and hear their voices Should We get back to the person who made the request don’t hear back when we make requests Should Chain get back to the person who made the request of command should be followed More things to know…. Hiring Ask current staff for references on new hires Get references for new hires from staff who have worked with them Inequity in hiring, job assignments accountability Public Relations We need better PR! Some perceive us as inferior There’s so much more to our job than sweeping & mopping; wish people knew that People have preconceived ideas about what we do People outside our department need to know different classifications do different tasks Morale There is a subgroup of whiners, complainers, finger pointers who are “morale busters” Negative attitudes are toxic; whiners/complainers are bad for dept Not everyone can see the difference we make in people’s lives Some staff don’t enjoy their work so they don’t go the extra mile I like my job; It really fits me Team playing needs to improve (2) There’s animosity among staff Seniority is undervalued Admin needs to demo more goodwill towards our department Dr. Calfee was never introduced to us; made us feel unimportant Feel beaten down when bring things up and they aren’t resolved And more to know… Discrimination Who you know means everything There’s a lot of favoritism; “Who you Know” Admin hires contractors for work we could get overtime for Need work more standardized; too much discretion for on-site leaders Supervisory & Admin need to be more generous with positive feedback Teamwork There are rifts between shifts Most of us get along great; we’ve known each other a long time; we’ve grown up together 1st shift needs to be sensitive to what they’re leaving for 2nd shift Team playing needs to improve (2) And… Integrity Staff isn’t being candid about what/how they really feel A lot of people in the dept are telling you (Susan) what you want to hear Future Current Admin (Dr. Calfee) is genuinely interested in us (2) Current Superintendent has had a tremendous impact on this dept; Dr. Calfee is sensible, not egotistical and respectful We need more opportunities to develop and advance our skills Hopeful staffing changes are for the best (2) Future is looking good!