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Office of Human Resources June 2009 |
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HR REVIEW
Your Source for University Human Resouces News and Information | |
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| Upcoming Workshops |
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Learning & Organization Development
Managing Your Career Series - begins July 10 in Evanston. Take control of your career and find greater satisfaction at work. This series of six monthly workshops covers career assessment, exploration, planning, applying and interviewing. Free. For details and to register, click here
Leadership and Management Series - begins July 15 in Chicago. Offered to NU's managers and supervisors, these workshops provide a basis for strong leadership practices. Learn the "soft tools" of the effective manager, as well as practical, hands-on advice. $725 for a six month series, includes meals. For details and to register, click here
TIAA-CREF Individual Counseling Sessions
This individual counseling session will help you simplify your retirement. Learn about the importance of protecting your assets against inflation. Discuss simplifying your finances through consolidating your assets.
Thu, June 11, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Norris, Scholars Rm 204
Fri, June 12, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Norris, Scholars Rm 204
Wed, June 17, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Norris, Scholars Rm 204
Thu, June 18, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Norris, Scholars Rm 204
To schedule a session, please visit the TIAA-CREF website at tiaa-cref.org/moc or call 800-842-2005. | |
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| June is LGBT Pride Month |
On Monday, June 1, 2009, President Obama issued a proclamation that officially recognizes the month of June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. Monday's date marked the birth of the LGBT movement at the Stonewall Inn, New York City forty years ago. For more information regarding the proclamation, please go to: www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-LGBT-Pride-Month/ |
| HRIS UpDATES |
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With the fiscal year end approaching, this is a reminder that exempt staff should be entering in HRIS Self Service all vacation, sick, and personal floating holidays used in FY09 (September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009). After entering time on your leave accrual record, click the "SAVE" button. Please do not click the "SUBMIT" button, because the final vacation earnings for the month of August have not been posted in the system yet.
In early September, we will send out another notice that leave accruals should be submitted and approved. For now, employees should just be recording their usage in the system. Please note that the deadline for submitting leave accruals will be earlier this year than in previous years. The due date is Friday, September 11, 2009. Both staff and supervisors may access the leave accrual panels via HRIS Self Service (https://nuhr.northwestern.edu) using their NetID and password. Instructions for entering and viewing the leave accrual panels in Self Service are available at the following HRIS website: http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/hris/leaveacruals/index.htmlStaff Conflict of Interest
The 2009 Staff Conflict of Interest (COI) process will occur between June 15th and July 13th. During this time, staff will sign into HRIS Self Service (https://nuhr.northwestern.edu)
and complete the online Conflict of Interest Questionnaire consisting of six questions. After staff complete and sign their questionnaires, an email is sent to the assigned Conflict of Interest approver notifying him or her to review and approve the questionnaire via Self Service.
School Administrators may view outstanding questionnaires via the School Admin COI Summary page located on the administrative side of HRIS.
Any questions regarding Conflict of Interest can be addressed to either Elizabeth Earl at e-earl2@northwestern.edu or Bridget Mullan at b-mullan@northwestern.edu.
Emergency Contact Information
Have you designated an emergency contact?
Each employee should designate at least one family member or friend who could be contacted in case of an emergency. To add a contact or verify current emergency contact information, log into HRIS Self Service (click here) and navigate to Self Service>Personal Information>Family Emergency Contact. |
| Learning & Organization Development |
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The Northwestern University Learning & Organization Development (L&OD) team collaborates with faculty and staff who want to develop their talent and advance their workplace outcomes, processes and engagement. L&OD provides consulting, coaching, workshops, retreats and tools for individuals, groups and organizations. Now is a particularly good time to consider these services. Budget planning and resource limitations provide an opportunity to creatively re-think priorities and work processes.
Summer Sessions
Check your mailbox for our Summer 2009 catalogue and start planning your professional development today.
Current listings can always be found on our website at www.northwestern.edu/hr/training
June, July and August feature workshops, tools and coaching in the following areas:
Leadership & Management
Organization Development
Managing Your Career
Computer Applications
NU Business Processes
New Employee Orientation Part Two
Workplace Skills
or 847-467-5081. |
| HR Services: Performance Objectives |
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Now that you've completed your annual performance review, it is time to begin setting your performance objectives for the coming performance year. Good performance objectives clearly describe:
- what is expected
- what success looks like, and are written using the SMART method:
S= Specific
M=Measurable
A=Achievable
R=Results-focused
T=Time-bound
(Examples of SMART performance objectives can be found on page 4 of the Performance Excellence Handbook, click here.) Performance objectives should be focused on accomplishments, not activities. When creating your performance objectives, it may be helpful to:
- Start with your job description. Identify the three or four major areas of work for which you are responsible. Determine which are critical and could be the basis of an objective.
- Look at the goals of your department. How do you contribute to the goals of your department? What needs special attention? Are there process improvements that need to be made that could become a special project?
- Consider feedback from internal customers or other departments. Is there a way to enhance working together that could become your objective? Is there a project that links two or more departments that needs attention?
- Focus on areas that make the most difference, that add value.
Once you've created your performance objectives, review them with your supervisor. Remember that objectives can and do change. What is initially agreed to may need to be revised due to changes in the department, turnover, new projects, revised management expectations, etc. Changes including revised deadlines should be discussed regularly.
Regularly discussing performance objectives with your supervisor can give you a better understanding of your supervisor's expectations of you and reduce uncertainty about next year's annual performance review.
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| Work/Life Resources |
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Striving for a Healthy Balance:
The Northwestern University Office of Work/Life Resources provides programs, services and consultation to enable staff and faculty to effectively balance the competing demands of work and home.
The Benefits of Showing Appreciation: According to a study described in a new book called The Carrot Principle, by O.C. Tanner, executives Chester Elton and Adrian Gostick say that "just showing appreciation for employees can boost engagement levels by as much as 30%." WFC Resources Newsbrief, June 2009.
Time Management: the time management workshops offered in May were very well received. Many participants requested requested follow up. If you would be interested in a workshop, please contact Phyllis Ellis at p-ellis@northwestern.edu.
Childcare & Financial Assistance
Registration for 2009-2010
If you are considering enrolling your child(ren) at one of NU's near-site childcare facilities, now is a good time to contact the center to determine availability. If you are considering applying for fee assistance, you may want to download the application and submit it as early as you can. For additional information: click here
University Children's Center, formerly known as Kindercare, has Toddler openings. For additional information, contact the center director, Leigh Hafeman, at 312-867-7056.
Eldercare Support Group meets monthly. Offers tips, support and resources for caregivers.
For further information - Phyllis Ellis - p-ellis@northwestern.edu or 847-567-1460.
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