Here's What You Missed - March 2009

Thursday Supervisors’ Lunch Club
Mar. 12, 2009
Topic: Setting Strategic Standards
Nineteen supervisors and managers attended the session.
If you couldn’t make it, Here's What You Missed:
 
While it’s always important to make sure that our activities are in alignment with the university’s vision, strategic priorities and operating principles, it’s never more important than when setting annual goals for your employees. Goal setting is part of the PEP process which begins April 1. 
 
Patricia Belleno, of Alliance Work Partners, discussed several aspects of goal setting, including:
  • Why goals are important
  • The challenges of goal setting
  • How goals impact the organization
  • Goals as motivators
  • Self-evaluation and feedback
 
 She also discussed the importance of setting goals that are SMART:
  • Specific: Clearly written with no room for subjective interpretation.
  • Measurable: Must be objectively quantified in the external world so you would know without a doubt that it has been achieved.
  • Attainable: There must be a high probability it can be achieved and it needs to be within the employee’s control to obtain.
  • Relevant: Related to the university’s strategic priorities & vision.
  • Timely:  There must be a timeline or “by when” date to achieve it. 
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She led the supervisors present through an exercise to practice writing SMART goals in real-life situations and discussed ways to turn negative behaviors into positive goals.
Announcements & Reminders:
 
PEP 101 for Employees (important for all employees & a must for employees hired since April 2, 2008) will be held on Mar. 23 & Apr. 2. Please urge your employees to attend
 
PEP Update for Supervisors will be repeated on Mar. 24. RSVP for PEP Update
 
Unsung Hero Award Nominations are open until Mar. 25. The Unsung Hero Awards recognize staff members who often work behind the scenes in jobs which may not allow them much time in the “spotlight”, and who consistently demonstrate the St. Edward’s operating principles.  Info & Nomination Form
 
NEW!   Check out the HR Training & Development page, which contains information about upcoming and past HR training & events
Coming Next Month:
 
The Family Medical Leave Act recently changed, requiring new forms and new responsibilities for supervisors.  This is a complex topic that all supervisors must understand.  So - back by popular demand - Connie Cornell of Cornell, Smith & Miehl law firm, will explain the new guidelines & regulations.  Those of you who remember Connie’s presentation on Employment Law Basics last September will undoubtedly want to come hear her again. And those who didn’t will not want to miss her this time!
 
FMLA Update for Supervisors
Thursday, Apr. 9
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Mabee Ballroom A, Robert and Pearle Ragsdale Center
RSVP by Apr. 3 very helpful (but not required)