State Audit Finds Dept. of Human Services Workers Overworked, Stressed, Underpaid

Employees at Oregon's Department of Human Rrsources believe they are overworked, stressed and underpaid, according to the results of an audit done by the Secretary of State's Office.

The survey, a 51-question documents that was sent out in April, was returned by more than 4,500 employees, a 62 percent response rate.

The survey found that:

• 55 percent of respondents felt they had the tools and resources to do their job.
• 53 percent of respondents felt they received fair compensation.
• 53 percent of respondents felt opportunities for advancement were fair and merit-based.
• At least 50 percent of respondents reported a high level of stress, with 73 percent of Child Welfare respondents reporting work-related stress is too high.
• Less than half of respondents felt communication and information flow effectively between the central office and field offices.
• Nearly all respondents reported they know the mission, vision and goals of DHS and how their work relates to them.
• More than 85 percent of respondents reported they are proud to work at DHS.

"Oregon’s frontline workers at DHS have some of the toughest jobs in state government. It is my hope that the agency’s new leadership will take these findings and recommendations seriously as they develop an improvement plan that supports the division in its work to take care of our most vulnerable," said Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins.

"DHS does some of the state’s most important work, helping Oregon children, seniors, and people with disabilities stay safe while providing them with opportunities to thrive."

The survey was created to help give new leadership at DHS a snapshot of problems facing the agency. Clyde Saiki (pictured above) took over the beleaguered agency as it struggled to overcome scandal involving children being placed in foster homes that should not have been operating.

Saiki says that the department agrees with many of the recommendations from the auditors and is already taking steps to improve things.

Photo courtesy Department Human Services