More than half of workers at Kent County Council do not have confidence in decisions made by senior managers and directors at the authority, according to an internal survey of more than 4,000 staff.

Less than two in five employees at the council think they are paid "appropriately", although 86% agreed they feel respected by the people they work with.

The findings are revealed in an internal memo sent to staff, which has been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

More than half of the authority's workforce rated their experiences working for the council in a "warts and all" study, which is the first of its kind.

Employees scored leadership the lowest out of the 13 categories, with only 44% saying they have confidence in the decisions made by senior managers and directors.

Some 37% of staff said they either disagree or strongly disagree with a question asking them whether they felt "appropriately" paid for the job they do.

However, 90% said they feel trusted to carry out their jobs effectively.

In all, 97% believe taking responsibility for their work is important to them.

Very few shared their intentions of leaving KCC, with only 10% saying they want to leave KCC as soon as possible and 15% want to leave in the next 12 months.

Unison Kent chair Shane Mochrie-Cox said the union is glad that staff voices are being heard but their concerns need to be addressed.

He said: "Wisdom does not come with grade or title and our frontline staff are the best placed to know how to serve the people of Kent.

"We hope that investigations can take place and improvements can be made within the next year ensuring that KCC is the best it can be, given the level of austerity levelled at local authorities, to deliver for the people it serves as that is why our members work in the public sector in the first place."

While the survey has been applauded by council leader Cllr Paul Carter for being "comprehensive", Unison has criticised how there was no option for comments or explaination in the survey.

Mr Mochrie-Cox added: "We welcome Paul Carter’s comments at full council that these weaknesses will be looked into.

"We look forward to working in a collegiate manner with KCC to address the staff concerns including on leadership and management and also pay, terms and conditions over the next year and look forward to this survey taking place next year so that we can work on holding those that should be taking action on these issues to account."

At the full council on Thursday, December 13, Cllr Paul Carter said: "KCC's most important resource is our staff.

"I very much supported this in-depth, detailed survey going out to all our staff.

"I think it's brave but absolutely the right way forward.

"We've now got to analyse the strengths and weaknesses that is within that survey outcome.

"We must make our best endeavours to change where change is necessary so the staff do feel highly valued; do feel connected with the senior management and do understand that exciting mission and objectives that we have set out in our strategic objectives for improving opportunities and improving outcomes for all."