Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Ironies of the Week

McGill retained its high ranking as a great place to work among Canadian workplaces at a time where the support staff is on strike.  Given that this is the third (at least) strike in the past nine or so years (twice by staff, once by teaching assistants), it is strange to see McGill do so well.  Of course, other big employers in Canada may have more strikes or McGill ranks highly because the strikes are so effective.  If McGill always caves in (like it has done in previous strikes), then having a weak employer might improve its ranking. 

I am pretty suspicious of all rankings, so perhaps I am biased.  Still, when I see strikers have picket signs that refer to this ranking, it does raise a question or two.  Of course, working at a university is pretty cool for a variety of reasons, so I am not surprised that McGill would compare well to other kinds of employers.  But are McGill folks happier than those at other universities?  Apparently by this survey.  I guess it kind of depends on who is asked.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The survey these rankings are based on uses a sample of people who are employed elsewhere or unemployed, rather than a sample of people who work at these organizations. It's a great example of bad social science methodology.

cheap nfl jerseys said...

The survey these rankings are based on uses a sample of people who are employed elsewhere or unemployed, rather than a sample of people who work at these organizations.