Work/Life Balance Preferences: Utah Parents

Statewide survey results suggest there are a number of supportive policies employers could enact to recruit, support, and retain working parents in Utah’s competitive labor market. The survey, which was sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber, Utah Community Builders, and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, was released by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. It shows that while most are satisfied with their current work and childcare arrangement, many parents and guardians also think policies such as increased wage/salary, paid family leave, flexible/stable hours and schedule, remote/hybrid work options, better part-time job opportunities and childcare assistance are important to achieving their ideal situation.

CEOutlook Surveys

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute has partnered with the Salt Lake Chamber to create CEOutlook, an economic confidence index informed by Utah’s leading business executives. The index is created by surveying these executives every quarter to “gauge the economic pulse of Utah’s business community.” The survey research team assists the chamber in this endeavor with survey design and management, methodology, and data management.

Visit Salt Lake Convention Surveys

The survey research team surveys attendees at multiple conventions and conferences per year regarding their spending while visiting Salt Lake County. Gardner Policy economists provide economic impact analysis based on the findings.

Utah Outdoor Partners Interviews of Businesses

Interviewed executives from 50 of the fastest growing businesses in Utah to determine the influence Utah’s outdoor recreational opportunities have on location decisions, employee recruitment and retention, and the overall desirability of doing business in the state. Click here to learn more.

Rural Economic Development Roundtable

In partnership with the Utah Center for Rural Life, the survey research team convened and facilitated a discussion group with rural Utah experts that specialize in particular industries or sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, tourism, energy, and development. The group discussed challenges their communities face and big economic development ideas that could span regional differences and needs. The discussion led to the Gardner Policy Institute’s Marshall Plan for Rural Utah. Click here to learn more.

National Information Consortium (NIC) eGovernment Services Surveys and Interviews

The Gardner Policy survey research team created several online surveys and conducted in-depth interviews of NIC senior partners regarding their satisfaction, unmet needs, and perspective on the digital government marketplace.

Sundance Film Festival Surveys

The Gardner Policy Institute interviewed 914 Sundance attendees using random intercept surveys in January 2016.  Data from these surveys informed a Gardner Policy Institute visitor expenditure economic impact analysis. Click here to learn more.

Women in the Economy Focus Groups

The survey research team at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute partnered with the Utah Women in the Economy Commission and the YWCA to conduct focus groups with women around the state. The Commission was established in 2014 to “identify and recommend implementation of specific policies, procedures, and programs to respond to the rights, needs, and impact of women in the economy.”

The purpose of the focus groups was to discern women’s experiences in and out of the workforce; the motivations behind the choices women make, the barriers they face, and their desires and preferences regarding work and education in order to guide policy based on the findings. The focus groups included both working women and those not currently in the workforce, and targeted both rural and urban areas. Major findings include the desire for flexible and remote work (career decisions are dependent on perceived flexibility of career), the lack of affordable, available and adequate childcare, and the necessity of monetary and leave benefits. For details, see the report here.