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Supervisors are target of new HR training
October 13, 2006
Human Resource Services is introducing a new training series for employees in supervisory roles. The first of four sessions will be held on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. in room 206 of the University Center.
In the past, human resources has used a “mish mash” of tools to train supervisors, including bringing in outside consultants, according to Teri Phillips, director of human resources. After receiving feedback from employees, her office decided to develop their own training program tailored to PLU’s processes and taught by university experts.
“We heard from employees that they desired more training,” said Teri Phillips, director of human resources. “People want to do it right and be successful.”
Each of the four sessions focus on a different topic about employment at PLU and span three and a half hours. The first session centers on the hiring process for new staff members and student workers.
Phillips said her office deals with the hiring process every day, but for the rest of the campus community the process can be mystical. The first session will explain the various steps to hire a new employee, including information about student employment and payroll, creating job descriptions, advertising job openings, conducting interviews and offering applicants the job.
Some employees who supervise student workers received an invitation to attend the first training session in campus mail, but the session is open to all, Phillips said.
“Attendance is not limited to invitations,” Phillips explained. “We were trying something new to generate interest.”
Later sessions focus on managing employee performance, including performance appraisals, rewarding good performance and coaching employees through difficult times; understanding benefit and leave policies, including how PLU’s benefits work together; and finally, learning how to be a more effective supervisor.
The final session will give supervisors tools to be better leaders, and it will also highlight how to provide support to employees at different stages in their careers. For example, an employee who has just started working at PLU will need their supervisor to provide lots of institutional knowledge about the university and its policies, while an employee on the verge of retirement would need more information about retirement benefits, Phillips said.
The human resources staff will run the sessions, and they will bring in members of other university departments when it is appropriate, Phillips said. The program should be beneficial to all because it is focused on being successful at PLU with the processes the university has in place.
“I’m really excited,” Phillips said. “It’s a great opportunity for us because supervisors will be more informed.”
To suggest training topics, for more information or to register for a training session, contact the human resources office at ext. 7185.
“We heard from employees that they desired more training,” said Teri Phillips, director of human resources. “People want to do it right and be successful.”
Each of the four sessions focus on a different topic about employment at PLU and span three and a half hours. The first session centers on the hiring process for new staff members and student workers.
Phillips said her office deals with the hiring process every day, but for the rest of the campus community the process can be mystical. The first session will explain the various steps to hire a new employee, including information about student employment and payroll, creating job descriptions, advertising job openings, conducting interviews and offering applicants the job.
Some employees who supervise student workers received an invitation to attend the first training session in campus mail, but the session is open to all, Phillips said.
“Attendance is not limited to invitations,” Phillips explained. “We were trying something new to generate interest.”
Later sessions focus on managing employee performance, including performance appraisals, rewarding good performance and coaching employees through difficult times; understanding benefit and leave policies, including how PLU’s benefits work together; and finally, learning how to be a more effective supervisor.
The final session will give supervisors tools to be better leaders, and it will also highlight how to provide support to employees at different stages in their careers. For example, an employee who has just started working at PLU will need their supervisor to provide lots of institutional knowledge about the university and its policies, while an employee on the verge of retirement would need more information about retirement benefits, Phillips said.
The human resources staff will run the sessions, and they will bring in members of other university departments when it is appropriate, Phillips said. The program should be beneficial to all because it is focused on being successful at PLU with the processes the university has in place.
“I’m really excited,” Phillips said. “It’s a great opportunity for us because supervisors will be more informed.”
To suggest training topics, for more information or to register for a training session, contact the human resources office at ext. 7185.