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The survey collects farmworker input on their job satisfaction in 10 key areas of the work environment.

Farm Press Staff

November 16, 2022

2 Min Read
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Wine Institute

More than a dozen grape growers in the Napa Valley are querying their employees about how they would rate working conditions.

Using a newly developed assessment tool, 13 growers have sought feedback from 311 farmworkers as part of an ongoing collaboration between University of California Cooperative Extension and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, according to a news release

The survey collects farmworker input on their job satisfaction in 10 key areas of the work environment, including internal communication, compensation, and promotional opportunities. Written comments on any topic are also collected and shared with employers. All information is protected and anonymous.

With this information, employers can tailor their benefits programs to meet worker needs, according to the release. Evidence-based information on regionally competitive pay meant employers could adjust their pay rates accordingly to prevent turnover and boost worker satisfaction.

The survey takes 10-20 minutes to complete and is facilitated by the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, whose Spanish-fluent staff are available to collect the responses from farmworkers.

Within two weeks of completion, employers receive a personalized report from UCCE, indicating the work areas their farmworkers find satisfactory, areas that may need improvement, and a breakdown by job role. At the end of the season, a final countywide report summarizes findings across employers and answers broader questions about labor issues. 

Newly released factsheets provide detailed information on positive labor strategies in the areas of Compensation, Communication & Company Culture, Workplace Health & Safety, Workplace Sexual Harassment, and External Factors.

The farmworker foundation will begin a three-day program today, Nov. 16,  includes in-depth training on positive communication skills and addressing multigenerational crews. Under development is a new leadership program to provide a series of skill building sessions over the course of a year.

In 2023, growers will have the opportunity to participate in job satisfaction surveys between February and July. 

Source: Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation

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