Staff relations report suggests nine changes

Former acting Human Resources Vice President Barry Stupine released for publication in today's Almanac nine initiatives aimed at improving University staff relations in the workplace. Entitled "Initiatives to Foster an Efficient and Ethical Workplace," the suggestions are part of a study conducted during the past five months by Stupine and his staff of Human Resources and Office of Planning and Budget personnel. The strategies for improving staff relations at the University include implementing new programs for both employees and managers which aim to "foster an environment which encourages ongoing communications between employees and their supervisors, recognizes the contributions of employees and enhances staff development." The nine initiatives call on the University to: · Continue granting summer hours, but stop spending money on employees unable to take the shorter work week in the summer. · Implement an employee recognition program. · Improve statistical data reports of salaries and numbers of employees. · Encourage continuing dialogues between employees and their supervisors. · Inform supervisors of Human Resource services for difficult personnel problems. · Educate supervisors about available training programs. · Hold annual meetings between Human Resources representatives and supervisors. · Annually increase the salary scales of A-1, administrators, and A-3, support staff, employees. · Introduce continually new management concepts and tools. These suggestions aim "to provide the stimulus for a better managed University so that [supervisors] are responsible for maximizing the efficiency and accountability of their work units." Stupine said last night that some of these initiatives have already been implemented. He also said the most integral suggestions of the report are employee- and self-evaluations, which aim to promote an ongoing dialogue between employees and supervisors. "Performance evaluation -- that is the key," Stupine said. Stupine said he spoke with representatives from faculty, staff and administration during his study. "I feel good about the fact that now [the report's] finally out there," he said. Nine University organizations, including Senior Planning and the Employee Roundtable, were consulted before the report was published. Stupine said he published the report in today's Almanac to encourage comments. Although new Human Resources Vice President Bill Holland took over his new position yesterday, Stupine said he will still be involved with the implementation of the suggestions, along with Holland. He also said that Holland will be "integrally" involved with many of the changes.