Organisational Climate Survey (OCS) - Hay Group

Organisational Climate Survey (OCS)

You don’t have to go on holiday to discover
a better climate makes people happier
Actually, we’re not talking about the weather here. When we talk about climate
we mean how people feel about aspects in their work environment which
directly impact their productivity. It’s what people say when asked “What’s it like
to work here?”
We’ve found that the happier people are in their work environment, the more
effort they’re prepared to make. In fact, our research shows that it will increase
important bottom line performance measures by up to 30%.
‘‘
what
motivates us
’’
Climate affects organisational performance by influencing employee
motivation. In most jobs, especially complex ones, there is a gulf
between what employees need do to ‘get by’ and what they can do if
they perform at their full potential. A positive climate will encourage
this discretionary effort and commitment.

What makes a good climate?
The Organisational Climate Survey (OCS) is based on work begun at Harvard
University by psychologists Litwin and Stringer. Through continued research
and practical application of the concepts, Hay Group identified the six most
important factors that are responsible for the quality of an organisation’s
climate:
Clarity: everyone in the organisation knows what is expected of them
Standards: challenging but attainable goals are set
Responsibility: employees are given authority to accomplish tasks
Flexibility: there are no unnecessary rules, policies and procedures
Rewards: employees are recognised and rewarded for good performance
Team Commitment: people are proud to belong to the organisation
There are two sides to every climate
The Organisational Climate Survey (OCS) is a 47 item questionnaire completed
online by managers and their teams. The feedback is compiled into a report with
two profiles:
the climate the target leader experiences within their own leadership team
the climate the target leader creates for their own team
The feedback shows how both the leader and their team feel climate is now and
how they would ideally like things to be, and it’s the gap between these two
scores that matters. This is powerful feedback to receive and must be delivered
by a specially accredited Hay Group consultant.
The report also includes background information on climate, an explanation of
data validity and details on how to interpret and respond to feedback.
The OCS can be used as a stand–alone instrument, but is most effective when
used with the Inventory of Leadership Styles (ILS). The ILS helps leaders identify
the leadership behaviours they use; the OCS allows them to see the impact
these behaviours are having on their team.

Improve your business without making
heavy weather of it
The Organisational Climate Survey is the closest thing a business can get
to a Profit and Loss statement of how well a company uses its people.
Because the survey is normed against tens of thousands of managers
around the world, across industries and across job functions and levels,
you can be sure the feedback will give you a really accurate picture of
your organisation’s current climate.
The Organisational Climate Survey:
helps leaders understand the connection between their actions and
the climate they create for their employees
helps leaders understand the climate they themselves experience on
a daily basis
can be used as part of an executive coaching intervention or any
one-to-one coaching and development process
is typically employed as a Leadership Development tool either for
individual leaders or across teams and work units
It is really valuable for leaders to be able to quantify the climate they
experience and create. But measuring is only the first step. We’d love you
to call us to talk about how our consultants can help you create the right
climate.
Hay Group
Australia:
1800 150 124
web: www.haygroup.com.au
New Zealand:
0800 429 477
web: www.haygroup.co.nz