TO: University Staff
As we turn the page to a new year and prepare to begin the spring term, I appreciate the opportunity to report the progress made by Human Resources in supporting you and the University. The people of the University are our most important asset and key to our future successes, so it is important to periodically review the progress we are making:
We continue to track the health of our faculty and staff population through the participation in the voluntary Personal Health Assessment. This past year, we had 69% participation of those eligible, which is outstanding. By looking at the aggregate health risk data for the total University of Iowa employee population from year to year, we are also seeing a reduction in the major health risks reported by individuals each year. We believe this reflects the hard work by individuals who are adopting healthy lifestyle choices and better managing their personal health and well being. Collectively, we are more productive when we feel better, and reduced health care utilization creates an economic benefit for both our employees and the University. Additionally, the benefits of a healthier workforce go well beyond the workplace by benefiting the quality of life enjoyed by University employees in all aspects of their lives.
Connected to the work people are doing to better manage their health, approximately 1900 staff and faculty are taking advantage of the membership incentive to the new Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, and other University fitness facilities. To be eligible for the financial incentive, you complete the voluntary Health Risk Assessment available through Self Service, and then make your application for membership at one of the Recreational Services facilities. The new facility is creating a great springboard for our health and wellness programs for staff and faculty.
You will continue to see more additions to your ePersonnel file, available from your Personal page of the University Self Service site (https://login.uiowa.edu/uip/login.page?service=https://hris.uiowa.edu/portal/). We are gradually moving beyond inclusion of existing electronic information to offer new features and displays. New examples include features for displaying salary and appointment history, leave usage and immigration status for non-US citizens. Please review this site if you have not already done so, as this represents the future for your personnel records.
Work on our initiative to facilitate “onboarding” new staff into their employment at the University continues to move forward. One website has been launched to provide information and resources to new employees for their use from the point of their job offer, through the first year of employment: http://www.uiowa.edu/hr/onboardui/index.html . Another website has been launched to provide “just in time” resources to supervisors so they can be more effective as they help their new staff member get off to a good start and provide ongoing support. Research has shown that the first year is a critical period for new employees to develop their performance potential and their commitment to the University.
As a result of a restructuring, University Human Resources has expanded the resources available to staff, faculty and supervisors to support individuals utilizing leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and/or accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The Supervising Students Series through Learning and Development has provided a new resource to support student employment across campus. The student employment experience is a part of the University’s educational mission, and helps support our students financially.
The University is a community of talented and committed staff members. I am pleased that University Human Resources can continue to make improvements to support you and the important work you do on behalf of the University and the State of Iowa. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
Susan C. Buckley
Vice President for Human Resources
Last updated May 17, 2011