Human Resources director discusses issues of importance for University staff

	Susan Buckley

While the flooding of 2008 has dominated the headlines this summer at The University of Iowa, it is important to not lose sight of what else is happening around the University that impacts UI staff members.

Susan Buckley, associate vice president for finance and operations and director of Human Resources at the University, recently outlined Human Resources initiatives that are ongoing or upcoming, with particular focus on issues of importance for nonorganized professional and scientific staff.

fyi: Before we get into Human Resources activities, is there anything you’d like to say about the flood emergency that has affected our campus and our communities?

Susan Buckley: The floods have challenged us in many ways, and will continue to do so for some time—physically, financially, and emotionally. The University community has shown great effort and resolve to persevere, and our gratitude extends to the many staff, faculty, students, and community volunteers who have worked very hard to protect and support the University. We also need to support those within our communities that have been personally impacted by the flooding. Many will be affected for a long time, and will certainly grieve what they have lost. They will continue to need our attention and encouragement.

Let’s start the Human Resources topics with one that carries great impact: the legislation that restricts smoking on the University campus.

Buckley: The state law restricting smoking on the entire University campus is in effect as of July 1, 2008. All University buildings and grounds are now smoke-free. University personnel will see new signage and continued efforts to educate the campus community and our visitors about the new restrictions. I hope that all faculty, staff, and students become knowledgeable about the policy and help us inform others as we implement the new policy.

For UI staff members looking to quit smoking, information on cessation resources is available at www.uiowa.edu/homepage/smoking/index.html.

What is the status of the proposed benefits changes?

Buckley: The University has had a robust and informative discussion over the changes proposed by the Funded Retirement and Insurance Committee for our Flexible Benefit program. President Mason and other University leaders are listening and learning from this dialogue, so that they can make thoughtful decisions regarding University benefits for the 2009 calendar year and beyond.

Is there a timetable for a decision for 2009 at this point?

Buckley: It’s still being actively discussed.

A monumental initiative lies on the horizon: implementing a new system for job classification and compensation. What is the status of this endeavor? When will staff members be expected to provide input? What is the expected timetable for this project?

Buckley: Human Resources is beginning the first phase of implementing a new system for job classification and compensation for non-organized professional and scientific staff. The first phase will focus on a new job classification structure. We expect individual staff members will have the opportunity to provide input on the description of their individual jobs later in the fall and winter. The entire project is expected to extend over a two-year period.

What sort of impact will this have on staff members?

Buckley: A key goal of the redesign is to enhance the University’s ability to recruit and retain top talent—this is a win/win for both individual staff and the University.  The changes are designed to link salaries more to the market rates than in the past, support our ability to recognize and pay for unique skills, and to provide clarity to staff where their job fits and what opportunities are available for career development and advancement. Importantly, this redesign is linked to Working@IOWA results e.g., rewarding high performance and providing more flexibility to units.

Speaking of the Working@IOWA survey, a "sequel" is in the works, correct?

Buckley: Indeed, preparations are under way to repeat the Working@IOWA survey in October to assess employee engagement with their work at the University. Research shows a direct relationship between engagement and productivity, supporting the University's goals for excellence. We will be encouraging all faculty and staff to participate in this anonymous, online survey, so that we can better assess our success in improving employee engagement since the original survey in April 2006. Watch for more announcements and promotions regarding this important assessment of our work culture.

We’ve been hearing great things about the new QuickCare Clinics, but perhaps not all faculty and staff know about these resources. Care to elaborate?

Many faculty and staff have taken advantage of the new UI QuickCare Clinic in the Old Capitol Town Center, as well as the other locations in North Liberty and southeast Iowa City. UI QuickCare is a convenient, affordable choice when you suffer from common ailments or conditions not serious enough to send you to an emergency room, but you're unable to see your regular doctor. UI QuickCare is offered by UI Family Care and available to anyone over the age of six months. No appointment is necessary. For more information, see www.uihealthcare.com/depts/uiquickcare/index.html.

Any other health initiatives of note?

Buckley: I encourage faculty and staff to participate in the University's Health Risk Assessment, available through the Self Service web site (http://hris.uiowa.edu). Not only do you get valuable feedback on your personal health practices, you also get a financial incentive: $50 for new participants, $65 for repeat participants each year. You may also elect to be contacted by a personal health coach to help you improve your general health. Participation in achieving and maintaining wellness is a great investment of your time, and we are committed to support you in your efforts to build and maintain good health.

You have probably already recognized the new look of the Self Service web site. We hope this makes this site even easier to use.

Anything new on the professional development front?

Buckley: Learning and Development will soon release a new employee orientation video that will be made available on the web. This is a great view of the University from the perspective of someone on the outside looking in at the world of a University employee. It is inspiring, and I would encourage you to view it as it becomes available.

The Career Development Advising services has a new tool that allows individuals to record practice job interviews, so that you can become more proficient at interviewing for your next career opportunity—which we hope will be at the University.

Any closing thoughts?

Buckley: It has been a busy and eventful year thus far, and we look toward a year of productive work to support and further the mission of the University.