Defence Forces' survey aims to improve people’s working experience

To date around 3,500 have filled in the Value Our People survey which senior officers want completed.

Operations in the Defence Forces were paused for two hours so personnel could fill in a survey on morale and culture within the organisation.

The operational pause lasted from 10.30am until 12.30pm on Thursday.

It was for all those not on priority duties who had not yet filled in responses to a Value Our People survey. 

To date around 3,500 have filled it in but senior officers wanted the survey completed.

As an action in the 2023 Strategic Framework for Transformation of the Defence Forces, it should have been completed by the end of last year.

When he was defence minister, Micheál Martin told the Dáil in late 2023 the framework was a list of “necessary actions to be delivered by the end of 2024”.

According to a Defence Forces spokesperson, Action 31 in the framework mandates baseline and subsequently annual climate and attitude surveys to “assess morale, command climate and underlying culture” to be carried out by the Defence Forces.

As part of a host of other positive transformation initiatives, the spokesperson said the survey design “brings modern, best practice HR methodology to bear”.

Improving people’s working experience in the Defence Forces

The results will, they said, play a role in the Defence Forces “ambition to continue to improve people’s working experience”.

“The survey provides a proactive voice mechanism for Defence Force members to articulate their experience, the impact of HR strategy and culture transformation initiatives over time.

“The survey reflects a modern, evidence-based approach to shaping the future of the Defence Forces.” 

The spokesperson said the survey has been implemented in response to Recommendation 39 of the 2022 Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

This recommended that there should be "regular climate and continuous attitude surveys to assess morale, command climate and underlying culture on an ongoing basis".

On Thursday's operational pause, the spokesperson said: “The pause is an internal communication initiative to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to hear about the survey, and have their say.” 

Commanders at every level are aware that operational activity should be paused within reasonable limits, recognising critical operations cannot be stopped.

“Careers in the Defence Forces involve demanding work and busy work schedules, across disperse geographies.

“This short pause in activity is an internal communication event designed to create awareness of, and time and space to complete, the voluntary survey.

“It is also a clear signal from leadership that everyone's voice matters and will shape the future of the organisation.” 

It is expected the survey will be completed before Lieutenant General Seán Clancy takes up his role as chair of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC).