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HR Unit Representatives Orientation

Human Resources Orientation Checklist

Competencies

General

Orientation Item:  Human Resources central organization
Competency:  Understanding key functions and staff in Central HR
Resources to Achieve Competency:   University Human Resources staff Administrative Services web site

Orientation Item:  University of Iowa governance
Competency:  Awareness of the mission and structure of Charter committees, Staff Council and Faculty Senate
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Staff Council web site;   Faculty Senate web siteOperations Manual

Orientation Item:  University of Iowa Core Values
Competency:  Awareness of the seven core values
Resources to Achieve Competency:   University of Iowa web site: The Iowa Promise

Orientation Item:  Strategic planning
Competency:  Understanding of UI strategic plan and HR strategic plan
Resources to Achieve Competency:  University of Iowa web site: President’s Welcome;  HR Administrative Services web site

Orientation Item:  Selected University policies
Competency:  How to access specific policies and awareness of their general intent:   Sexual Harassment, Consensual Relationships Involving Students, Anti-Retaliation, Conflict of Interest, Anti-Harassment, Acceptable use of Information Technology, Drug Free Environment, Violence Policy, Disability Protection Policy and Accessibility Statement, Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Statement of Policy and Purpose, Nondiscrimination Statement, Conflict of Interest in Employment (Nepotism), Policy on Ethics and Responsibilities, Policy on Conflict Management Resources
Resources to Achieve Competency: Operations Manual;    HR A-Z Policies/Guidelines available on HR Administrative Services web site

Orientation Item:   State of Iowa considerations
Competency:   Awareness of the Board of Regents and Iowa Gift Law
Resources to Achieve Competency:    Operations ManualBoard of Regents web site

Orientation Item:  Furlough Process (including Lump Sum Distribution)
Competency: Knowledge of policy and process, the role of the current employing department, actions the staff member takes to seek future employment, and Compensation and Classification's role in assisting the staff member and department
Resources to Achieve Competency: HR Compensation and Classification web site

Orientation Item:  Flexible Pay Program
Competency: Knowledge of program, the types of awards, eligibility requirements, parameters of the program, and the approval requirements
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR Compensation and Classification web site: Professional and Scientific

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Recruitment/Hiring

Orientation Item:    Advertise a Graduate Assistant position
Competency:   Appointment posting requirement
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Employee and Labor Relations web site:  COGS contract

Orientation Item: Finalize a Graduate Assistant position
Competency:  Determination of minimum salary requirements, how to use letter of appointment
Resources to Achieve Competency:     HR Employee and Labor Relations web site:  COGS contract

Orientation Item:  Create a Merit position or P&S position
Competency:  Knowledge of forms required:  How to access/route forms.  How to access job descriptions.  How to determine job code.
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Compensation and Classification web site:  Downloadable e-forms, job descriptions, and Merit Forms Processing Checklist

Orientation Item:  Advertise a Merit position
Competency:  Knowledge of the scope of advertising.  Knowledge of forms required:  How to access/route forms
Resources to Achieve Competency:   HR Employment web site:  How a Position is Filled FAQ

Orientation Item:  Order of referral of Merit applications
Competency:  Knowledge of the proper sequence of referral of applicants. Knowledge of options when a candidate is referred.
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Employee and Labor Relations web site;
HR Employment web site;   HR Faculty and Staff Disability Services web site

Orientation Item:  Computation of Merit salary offers
Competency:  Skill in computing correct salary
Resources to Achieve Competency:   HR Employment web site: Probation and Salary FAQ; Pay Plans   

Orientation Item:    Determination of Merit probationary period
Competency:  Knowledge of the length of probation
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Employment web site: Merit Rules;   Probation and Salary FAQ

Orientation Item:  Finalize Merit position offer
Competency:  How to use process and forms for hiring
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Employment web site Merit Rules How a Position is Filled FAQ

Orientation Item:  Determination of P&S status
Competency:  Knowledge of policy on P&S status, Probationary periods
Resources to Achieve Competency:   Operations Manual web site
HR Compensation and Classification web site

Orientation Item:  Advertise a P&S position
Competency:   Knowledge of search procedures. Knowledge of forms required. How to access/route forms.
Resources to Achieve Competency:    Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity web site:  “P&S Recruitment Manual”  for search procedures"Advertising Resources” for specific organizations targeted to minorities and women

Orientation Item:  Finalize P&S position offer
Competency:  How to access/route Search and Selection Summary. How to apply P&S salary scales. How to use P&S offer letter. Salary Justification
Resources to Achieve Competency:    Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity web site  and  HR Compensation and Classification web site: pay scales and offer letter

Orientation Item:  Interview skills and tools
Competency:  Knowledge of appropriate and legal questions to ask during the selection interview. Knowledge of the proper components of the selection process
Resources to Achieve Competency:   Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity web site;
Acceptable and Unacceptable Interview Inquiries; Learning and Development "Train the Trainer" video; Learning and Development Interviewing course; HR Employment Services web site

Orientation Item: Payroll forms necessary for the hire of any employee
Competency: Knowledge of purpose and appropriate use of all forms required; preliminary and final versions
Resources to Achieve Competency:     Employee Self-Service/HR Transaction System

Orientation Item: I-9 procedures
Competency:  Knowledge of forms and information required for completion
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Payroll and Faculty and Staff Immigration web sites

Orientation Item:  Staff Diversity Opportunity Program (SDOP)
Competency: Knowledge of program; consideration of its potential application following each search
Resources to Achieve Competency:    SDOP web site

Orientation Item:  Spouse/Partner placement assistance
Competency: Knowledge of services that contribute to University recruitment
Resources to Achieve Competency:    Dual Career Network web site

Orientation Item:  Non-resident alien employee hires
Competency:  VISA status, documentation, Obtaining SS #’s, Special tax withholding considerations, Awareness of tax treaties and their impact
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Faculty and Staff Immigration Services, HR Payroll

Orientation Item:  Facilitate a faculty appointment
Competency:  Knowledge of process, sequence and documentation of a faculty appointment
Resources to Achieve Competency:    Provost web site "Faculty Appointment/HR Info"

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Compensation and Classification

Orientation Item:  Pay matrices
Competency:  Familiar with what matrix governs which group of employees and how movement occurs within
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Compensation and Classification web site, HR Employee and Labor Relations web site, Employment web site

Orientation Item:  Policy and procedure for special compensation (includes special compensation; merit extra meritorious, etc.)
Competency:  Knowledge of policy, forms, approvals on special compensation, How to access employee salary data
Resources to Achieve Competency:    Operations Manual web site ,Employee Self-Service/HR Transactions, HR Employment web site: Merit Rules, Faculty Appointment web site

Orientation Item:  Determination of Merit salary adjustments
Competency:  How to determine date of step increase; How to set new salary after reclassification
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR Employment web site: Merit Rules, Step date, probationary status on HR Transaction System, HR Employment web site: Probation and Salary FAQ, HR Compensation and Classification web site  

Orientation Item:  Reclassification of vacant Merit position or P&S position
Competency:  Knowledge of forms required, How to access/route forms, How to access job descriptions, How to determine job code
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR Compensation and Classification web site: downloadable E-forms, job descriptions, and Merit Forms Processing checklist     

Orientation Item:  Reclassification of an occupied P&S position or Merit position
Competency:  Knowledge of forms required, How to access/route forms, How to access job descriptions, How to determine job code, Knowledge of P&S reclassification policy
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Compensation and Classification web site: job descriptions, downloadable E-forms, and Merit Forms Processing checklist; Operations Manual, Section III (3.4) amended 7/99

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Employee and Labor Relations

Orientation Item:  Collective bargaining agreements
Competency:  Knowledge of covered employees, issues, and resources for interpretation and application of CBA
Resources to Achieve Competency:    Employee and Labor Relations staff; HR Employee and Labor Relations web site; Learning and Development courses

Orientation Item:  Disciplinary process
Competency: Typical steps of progressive discipline
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Employee and Labor Relations web site; Learning and Development course

Orientation Item:  Dispute resolution
Competency:  Knowledge of dispute resolution processes and resources
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR Employee and Labor Relations web site;  OmbudsEqual Opportunity and Diversity;  and Mediation Offices and web sites;   Operations Manual and union contracts

Orientation Item: Work rules
Competency:  Knowledge of work rules and their appropriate application
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Employee and Labor Relations web site

Orientation Item:  Setting up a personnel and medical file
Competency: Knowledge of content, retention, and transfer of material
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR Employee and Labor Relations web site;  HR Faculty and Staff Disability Services web site

Orientation Item:  Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Competency:  Knowledge of legal requirements, paperwork obligations and qualifying events
Resources to Achieve Competency:    Learning and Development sessions; FMLA brochure;  HR Employee and Labor Relations web site

Orientation Item:  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Competency:  Knowledge of employment obligations consistent with ADA; Knowledge of functional analysis and its role in determining reasonable accommodations; Knowledge of employment obligation in employing people with health conditions
Resources to Achieve Competency: Faculty and Staff Disability Services staff;  HR Faculty and Staff Disability Services web site;  Faculty and Staff Disability Services brochures; Learning and Development courses

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Benefits and Payroll

Orientation Item:  Timely payment to employees
Competency:  Knowledge of pay periods/cutoffs/schedules
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR Payroll web site

Orientation Item:  Fringe rates
Competency:  Knowledge of fringe rates and the various fringe rate pools
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Benefits web site;  Accounting Services web site: fringe benefit accounting

Orientation Item:  Benefit start and end dates
Competency:  Knowledge of start and end dates
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR University Benefits web site and collective bargaining agreements

Orientation Item:  Benefit eligibility
Competency:  Knowledge of who qualifies for which benefits
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Operations Manual

Orientation Item:  Benefit program offerings
Competency:  Overview of benefits, eligibility, and costs
Resources to Achieve Competency:    HR University Benefits web site and collective bargaining agreements; Operations Manual; Orientation session for all new staff and faculty

Orientation Item:  Retirement contribution
Competency:  Knowledge of start and end dates along with rates
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR University Benefits web site; Orientation meeting; Benefits staff

Orientation Item:  General payroll forms
Competency:  Knowledge of timesheets, leave policies: vacation, sick, LOA, military, etc.
Resources to Achieve Competency:    Payroll and Benefits staff; New orientation; HR University Benefits and Payroll web sites

Orientation Item:  Payroll vouchers
Competency:  Understanding of consultant vs. employment; Knowledge of who can be paid on these forms
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Payroll Office web site

Orientation Item:  Work injury process
Competency:  Knowledge of basics of Workers Compensation; Internal process; Return to work
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Workers Compensation staff in Benefits; Learning and Development courses  

Orientation Item:  Safety issues
Competency:  Can identify resources for health and safety
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Health Protection Office web site; Public Safety web site

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Organizational Effectiveness

Orientation Item:  Performance management--individual
Competency:  Understanding of rationale about why performance of individuals contributes to achieving the mission and goals of The University of Iowa
Resources to Achieve Competency:    Operations Manual regarding performance management expectations; UI Strategic Plan expectations and target indicator; HR Learning and Development web site; Performance Management web site; Faculty and Staff Services 1:1 counseling sessions; Leadership coaching through Organizational Effectiveness

Orientation Item:  Performance management--group
Competency:  Understanding of rationale about why performance of work groups contributes to achieving the mission and goals of The University of Iowa
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Internal consultant services through Organizational Effectiveness; Orientation for new staff and faculty

Orientation Item:  Healthy workforce
Competency:  Recognition of personal and work-related stressors and their effect on staff
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR Faculty and Staff Services web site; Faculty and Staff Services 1:1 counseling sessions; HR UI Wellness web site

Orientation Item:  Unresolved conflict/potential for violence in the workplace
Competency:  Recognize early signs of unresolved conflict and potential violence, Knowledge of how to address departmentally and/or with consultation
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR Faculty and Staff Services Behavior Risk Management Protocol -BRM- web site; HR Employee and Labor Relations web site

Orientation Item:  Wellness opportunities
Competency:  Knowledge of forms and processes related to wellness activities
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR UI Wellness web site; liveWELL web site

Orientation Item:  Learning and Development opportunities
Competency:  Completion of registration and knowledge of current offerings including Learning Online
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Learning and Development Newsletter and web site; "MyTraining" on the Employee Self-Service web site; FYI online

Orientation Item:  Reward and recognition
Competency:  Knowledge of forms and process required for granting of rewards
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Award Programming web site; UI WorkLife staff; Learning and Development Newsletter and web site

Orientation Item:  Faculty and staff orientation
Competency:  Can identify key components for general orientation; Knowledgeable of new employee registration for UI orientation
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Learning and Development staff; Orientation video; orientation checklist: HR A-Z Policies and Guidelines

Orientation Item:  Family Services
Competency:  Can identify resources in the areas of eldercare, lactation facilities, dependent care, housing, area schools
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR WorkLife web site; HR Family Services web site

Orientation Item:  Flexible scheduling
Competency:  Can identify procedure to implement flexible scheduling
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Operations Manual web site; HR WorkLife web site

Orientation Item:  Telecommuting
Competency:  Can identify appropriate circumstances to consider telecommuting
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR Family Services web site

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Information Management

Orientation Item:  HR transactions on web
Competency:  Knowledge of HR web transactions
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR web training and hr-transaction@uiowa.edu; Employee Self-Service

Orientation Item:  Accessing HR database
Competency:  Understanding of how to get information about employees
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR web training; Employee Self-Service

Orientation Item:  HR web reports
Competency:  Knowledge of report definitions, including position management and accounting
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR web training; Employee Self-Service

Orientation Item:  HR web pay change voucher
Competency:  Knowledge of retroactive accounting details and how to review accounting entries
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Pay CV training; Employee Self-Service

Orientation Item:  Self Service and Web Applications
Competency:  Knowledge of available information and how to access
Resources to Achieve Competency:  Online training and hr-help@uiowa.edu; Employee Self-Service

Orientation Item:  Workflow
Competency:  Knowledge of Workflow setup, reports
Resources to Achieve Competency:  HR web training and workflow@uiowa.edu