Introduction
ASPA Research Committee conducted an online survey from March 10 – 19, 2021 to gather ASPA members’ feedback on brown bag sessions presented by the ASPA executive. The brief survey gathered insights on topics of interest and how best to offer the sessions. A total of 204 surveys were completed, representing a 15% response rate. The ASPA Research Committee would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in the survey – your feedback will assist with planning future brown bag sessions. This article provides an overview of the survey results.
Awareness of Sessions
When asked if they are aware that ASPA offers brown bag sessions, 86% indicated being aware of these sessions.
Topics of Interest
As shown in the chart, Merit was the topic of most interest to survey respondents.
Suggestions for additional topics included the following:
- “Ask me anything” Q&A session
- Benefits of being in ASPA union
- Compensation/career advancement
- Cost of living/inflation
- Future of unions in Saskatchewan and Canada
- Health and wellness
- Maintaining healthy work/life balance
- Maximizing our benefits
- Remote work spaces
- Seniority within ASPA
- Taxes/contributions
- Technology topics
- Tracking flex-time
- Transitioning back to the office/hybrid work models
- Our rights when applying for jobs
Format of Sessions
Time
When asked about the best time to hold brown bag sessions, nearly two-thirds of respondents (60%) chose the lunch hour.
Length
Just over two-thirds of survey respondents (67%) indicated that they would prefer if brown bag sessions were 30 to 45 minutes in length.
In-Person or Virtual
Once campus is reopened, the majority of respondents (74%) indicated that they would prefer to have virtual brown bag sessions, as opposed to in-person.
ASPA (Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association) 