Focus on People
The Focus on People Key Initiative carries over from the previous strategic plan. Since F&B prides itself on quality service offered by quality people, we recognize that our employees are the key element in our organization. To successfully recruit and retain a high caliber and diverse staff means we must nurture an environment that is welcoming, caring, and inclusive; where input is regularly requested, considered, and recognized; and where communication is frequent, timely, and reciprocal. The impact of decisions and actions on employees’ work as well as personal well-being are thoroughly understood and considered.
In the past two years, the team has taken steps to improve how we welcome and orient employees new to F&B. The success of these initiatives has provided a solid foundation from which to launch additional strategies including those related to rewards and recognition, wellness, mentoring, training and development, succession planning, and workplace environment.
Vision
The Focus on People team strives to identify and apply best practices throughout F&B and develop and implement new strategies and action plans aimed at recruiting and retaining a talented and diverse workforce within F&B.
Accomplishments
- Implemented a regularly occurring welcome reception for staff new to F&B.
- Restructured the content, format, and scheduling of the F&B new staff orientation program in collaboration with HRDC.
- Spearheaded the development of a PowerPoint presentation used in the new staff welcome reception to introduce employees to the size, scope, and complexity of F&B; to point out shared values, ethics, and connections; and to instill a sense of pride in working for F&B and Penn State. The Powerpoint has since been turned into a video, but retains the original purposes.
Goals
- Regularly assess staff satisfaction with their work environment and act on data collected.
- Be recognized as a champion inside and outside of Penn State for workplace initiatives that assist in recruiting and retaining a talented and diverse workforce.
Action Strategies
- Orchestrate the work within the team by creating a committee structure to focus on specific strategies. Committees have been formed on issues of wellness training and development, rewards and recognition, special events, and the workplace environment for technical service staff. The latter issue was chosen because the data collected from previous satisfaction surveys illustrate that this group of employees tends to be the most dissatisfied with their work environment. The target date for creating the structure was September 1, 2008. This is complete.
- Using the results of the Spring 2009 staff satisfaction survey, conduct focus groups to cull out where progress has occurred and where attention is needed. Depending upon when the survey results are available, this could be done by December 1, 2009.
- Utilizing the survey data, focus group results, and committee input, take appropriate additional action steps to assist in the recruitment and retention of a capable and diverse workforce.
Metrics and Timeline
- Progress will be marked by an increase in satisfaction levels on the University-wide staff satisfaction survey and by data collected through focus groups and individual unit surveys. The most recent University-wide survey was conducted in the Fall of 2008. The Team is waiting for the data to be made available.
- Individual strategies will be measured by input from leaders, managers, and employees within F&B and will be assessed for impact, satisfaction, long-term sustainability, and cost effectiveness. The timeline for these measures will be determined by the implementation timeline for each new strategy.
- Consideration will be given to utilizing the 12-question survey on the strength of a workplace from the Gallup Organization to measure our progress on an annual basis.
Focus on People Subcommittees
Rewards and Recognition
This committee is currently working on a years of service recognition program for F&B to begin July 2009. The committee will be reviewing other best practices to determine their next project.
Chairs: Rich Heininger and Kelley King.
Special Events
This committee suggests and coordinates special events within F&B.
Chair: Gail Hurley
This committee currently has three subcommittees.
- F&B Spring Retreat
Chairs: Donna Newberg and Dave Rose - Quality Service, Quality People Awards Program
Chair: Kim Belcher - F&B Strategic Plan Rollout
Chairs: Jody Heckman and Gail Hurley
Training and Development
This subcommittee is still in development and will focus on recommendations and projects to enhance the training and development opportunities for F&B staff.
Wellness
This committee is looking at ways to focus attention on employee health and wellness. The team is excited about the premiere F&B Wellness Fair scheduled for April 22, 2009.
Chairs: Lisa Wandel and Gordon Turow.
Work Environment for Technical Service Staff
This committee is focusing on the enhancement of the overall work environment for our technical service employees. Currently, the committee is planning a training opportunity on the topic of respect and civility which is: target: April 1, 2009.
Chair: Jennifer Wilkes.
Key Initiative Manager
Gail Hurley — Auxiliary & Business Services
814-865-5423 - gah5@psu.edu
Team Members
Rich Heininger — University Budget Office - rih1@psu.edu
Kelley King — Office of the Corporate Controller - ksk3@psu.edu
Edna Melendez — Auxiliary & Business Services - eit2@psu.edu
Tyrone Parham — University Police - tap3@psu.edu
Delores Thompson — Auxiliary & Business Services - dbc133@psu.edu
Gordon Turow — Office of Physical Plant - get10@psu.edu
