That the co-op strive to be a progressive employer, providing a quality workplace that allow employees to meet job responsibilities while enhancing their own career and personal development objectives.
FlNDlNGS
1. 64% of all members characterized the co-op as a good or excellent employer. 67% believe that working conditions are good or excellent.
2. Only 22% of all members feel they have meaningful input into the staff evaluation process. Only 8% of current and former Board members feel they have meaningful input into the staff evaluation process.
3. Due to variations in staff structure, it is difficult to compare salaries with others in the market. However, it appears that Woodsworth salaries are generally comparable to those at four similar housing co-ops as well as those paid to Cityhome employees.
4. Woodsworth coordinators and administrative staff have generally been women. All maintenance workers have been men. This also seems to be the pattern in other similar co-ops.
5. In the early years of the co-op, member input to staff evaluation was actively pursued. While member input used to be invited through the Weekly, little or no response was received. One problem in the past was members bringing forward petty grievances in the process.
Currently, there is no standard procedure for evaluating staff.
The co-op had a detailed personnel policy adopted by the members in 1980. When the practice of using individual employment contracts was introduced, the personnel policy was effectively shelved.
IMPLICATIONS:
Members generally feel that Woodsworth is a good place to work and that the co-op treats employees fairly. Certain jobs seem to be filled by staff of a particular gender (i.e., office staff are female, maintenance workers are male). Salaries in general appear to be in line with the market.
The co-op does appear to have a problem in the performance review process. Most members feel they do not have meaningful input in the staff evaluation process – but the questionnaire did not ask if they wished to have input. Given that the Board hires and evaluates the Coordinator, negotiates salaries, and generally monitors employee issues, it is frightening to learn that only 8% of current and past Board members feel they have meaningful input to staff evaluation. The Board should be fully responsible for ensuring regular staff evaluations.
The lack of a working personnel policy could lead to inconsistency in personnel matters.
RECOMMENDED ACTlONS
The Board should see that the existing personnel policy is reviewed updated, and brought before the members for adoption.
The Board should develop and implement a standard evaluation system for all staff.
On all job postings circulated by Woodsworth, a line should be placed at the top of the notice emphasizing that both men and women are invited to apply for all positions.