Earthquake preparedness: Get ready to ShakeOut: Oct. 18, 10:18 a.m.
This October, practice the Great BC ShakeOut, an annual province-wide earthquake drill on Oct. 18 at 10:18 a.m. Emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations agree that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes. It is only a one-minute commitment for something that can save your life.
- DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
- Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
- HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
Click here to learn more about Drop, Cover, and Hold On
Quake Cottage Earthquake Simulator: Oct. 17, 2018
Quake Cottage Canada returns to UBC – faculty, staff, and students are invited to ride the earthquake simulator to experience what it’s like to go through a major earthquake. Risk Management will be there to answer any questions you have about emergency preparedness and how to be better prepared. The Quake Cottage will be set-up at University Commons, outside the AMS Student Nest, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m on Oct. 17.
Click here to learn more about Quake Cottage
Earthquake Preparedness at UBC
Want to learn more about earthquake preparedness at UBC? Visit the Risk Management site at http://rms.ubc.ca/emergency/emergency-procedures/earthquake/.
PD opportunity: Thriving in Change: Oct. 29
HR is hosting a half-day workshop, Thriving in Change, on Oct. 29, 2018. This session is for UBC staff and faculty who want to learn more about the natural cycles and impact of change in order to remain resilient and engaged through the transition.
About the workshop
If nothing changed in your life in the next five years, would that be okay with you? Change is normal and natural – how we respond to change and interact and support others affected by it can make all the difference. In this workshop participants will start by exploring their own attitudes and reactions to change, learn foundational models to broaden their appreciation of the change journey, and gain new tools and strategies for use in an interpersonal and organizational context.
Learning outcomes
- Be aware of you personal reactions and attitudes toward change
- Gain an understanding of key change models
- Be able to identify and use tools and behaviours that support and enhance personal resiliency in change
- Be better able to support others as you navigate change
Course information
Thriving in Change
Oct. 29, 2018, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $200
Tech Enterprise Facilities III, Room 610 [map]
Register online
You may be able to use your professional development funding towards this course. Please visit the PD funding page for your employee group to learn more. Contact pd.workshops@ubc.ca with questions.
PD Opportunity: Appreciative Inquiry: A Way to Generate and Nurture Effective Work Environments: Oct. 12
HR is hosting a one-day workshop on Appreciative Inquiry: A Way to Generate and Nurture Effective Work Environments, on Oct. 12, 2018.
About the workshop
In our intention to make things better, we very often pick up on the things that don’t work: problems, wrong behaviours, errors, and try to fix them. Our lives become filled with problems to solve, one after the other, and we don’t see the end of them. Meanwhile, it becomes increasingly difficult to notice or appreciate what works well; and because these well-working things don’t need fixing, they simply lose their importance.
With Appreciative Inquiry we learn to shift our approach to change by focusing on creating what we want rather than eliminating what we don’t want. We learn to ask questions (or to inquire) in order to explore creative possibilities (appreciative).
Learning outcomes
Using a variety of formats such as paired interviews, small group exercises and video, you will:
- Explore the key principles of Appreciative Inquiry
- Learn simple ways to shift from a focus on problem solving to one of possibility creating
- Pay attention to the role of language/words to phrase appreciative questions
- Identify ways to apply the appreciative inquiry approach in your workplace
Audience
The session is designed for individuals who are intrigued by the statement that ‘we give power to the things we pay attention to,’ and are wanting to find practical ways to exercise personal agency to make a positive difference in the workplace.
Course information
Appreciative Inquiry: A Way to Generate and Nurture Effective Work Environments
Oct. 12, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $300
Tech Enterprise Facilities III, Room 610 [map]
Register online
You may be able to use your professional development funding towards this course. Please visit the PD funding page for your employee group to learn more. Contact pd.workshops@ubc.ca with questions.
Conflict Theatre Special Performance: Oct. 16
The Conflict Theatre team would like to invite you to a special performance on Tuesday, Oct. 16. At this performance, you will see a short play about workplace conflict at UBC. You will have opportunities, should you want, to participate and try out possible ways to change what happens in the play. The play is presented and created by UBC employees based on real stories from our community. Through Conflict Theatre, we explore ways in which we can change our narratives of workplace conflict.
Conflict Theatre Performance
Oct. 16, 2018, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Lillooet Room, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
RSVP at http://bit.ly/Oct16Performance by Oct. 1
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training: Oct. 11-12
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop.
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
When: Oct. 11 and 12
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (both days)
Where: UBC Life Building (exact rooms TBD)
Cost: $50 (for materials)
Note: you must attend both days in full to get the certificate of completion
If you are interested in attending the training, please email Tam Uden (tam.uden@ubc.ca) as soon as possible as there are a limited number of spots. She will then confirm your spot in the training.
If you would like to read more on the ASIST program to determine if it is right for you, please refer to this website.
September Hot Lunch: Santa Ono, UBC President
The September Hot Lunch will feature Prof. Santa Ono, UBC President. If you are interested in attending the lunch, you can enter a lottery for one of the 150 available seats for the Sept. 26, 2018, event. Sign up for the draw before Sept. 21.
Lunch this month will be a “A Touch of Singapore” buffet for $10.
Hot Lunch is a cross-campus staff networking initiative hosted by St. John’s College and is supported by Human Resources.
Staff Welcome Back BBQ: Sept. 11, 2018
Each year, the President’s Office and Human Resources welcomes UBC staff to the new academic year with the Welcome Back Staff BBQ.
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Flag Pole Plaza [map]
Registration
Your department should have received the wristbands for the event through Campus Mail. A limited number of wristbands will be available on the day of the event for late registrants who meet the eligibility criteria and have valid UBC ID.
Questions?
Please visit https://ceremonies.ubc.ca/staffbbq/faqs/ for more information about the event.
See you at the BBQ!
Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan: Fall dates open for registration
We have several upcoming Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan information session for members of the Staff Pension Plan. If you or your staff are interested in attending, please register soon as these sessions fill up quickly.
Upcoming dates
- Sept. 27, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
- Oct. 2, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Oct. 18, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Nov. 6, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Nov. 8, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Learn more and register at http://staff.pensions.ubc.ca/news/workshops/.
PD workshop: Selection Interviewing: Ensuring Equity: Oct. 16, 2018
HR is hosting a one-day workshop focusing on Selection Interviewing: Ensuring Equity, on Oct. 16, 2018. This workshop is designed for managers and administrators who currently have responsibility for the hiring and selection of staff. The cost of this workshop is $25 (includes refreshments and a light lunch).
About the workshop
The interview is a vital step in the hiring process, so you want it to be as effective as possible. This workshop will focus on the essential skills of behavioural interviewing so that you can more effectively get to know your candidates and find the best fit for your team.
Through group exercises, discussions and role-play within this workshop, participants will:
- Develop questions and practice behavioural interviewing skills
- Develop tools to select the best candidate for the position
- Understand basic concepts of human rights, employment equity, and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation
Participants will also review current Human Rights and Employment Equity legislation and discuss the objectives of UBC’s policy on employment equity.
Course information
Date: Oct. 16, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610
Cost: $25
Register online
Spaces left in Building Resilient Teams: Sept. 24, 2018
We have a few spaces left in our Sept. 24, session on Building Resilient Teams. Register ASAP to learn about your conflict management style, and how to support your teams.
Learning outcomes
- Describe the five dysfunctions that can challenge a team’s performance and culture
- Identify strategies to build a high performing team
- Recognize your preferred conflict management style as a leader
- Explore and practice tools to manage conflict effectively
- Create an action plan to apply what you have learned to your workplace
Course information
Date: Sept. 24, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610
Cost: $200
Register online
You may be able to use your professional development funding towards this course. Visit the PD funding page for your employee group to learn more, or contact pd.workshops@ubc.ca with questions.
The Working Mind for Managers: Sept. 18, 2018
Human Resources is hosting a Working Mind for Managers session on Sept. 18 (9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). All supervisors/managers/members of the distributed HR community of practice in Vancouver are invited to attend.
About the Working Mind
The Working Mind is a Mental Health Commission of Canada, evidence-based, workplace training program aimed at increasing mental health literacy for supervisors/managers.
Program Goals:
- To provide supervisors and managers with the confidence, tools and resources to support employees who may be experiencing mental health challenges
- To reduce stigma and negative attitudes towards those struggling with poor mental health
- To provide learners with a broad understanding of mental health and wellbeing
- To promote mental health and wellbeing in the workplace
Course Information
Date: Sept. 18, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS), Policy Room B
Cost: Free
Register online
PD Opportunity: Building Resilient Teams: Sept. 24, 2018
Human Resources is hosting a half-day professional development workshop on Building Resilient Teams on Sept. 24, 2018. This session is designed for formal and informal leaders who want to learn about their own conflict management style, and how to support their teams.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the five dysfunctions that can challenge a team’s performance and culture
- Identify strategies to build a high performing team
- Recognize your preferred conflict management style as a leader
- Explore and practice tools to manage conflict effectively
- Create an action plan to apply what you have learned to your workplace
Course Information
Date: Sept. 24, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610
Cost: $200
Register online
You may be able to use your professional development funding towards this course. Visit the PD funding page for your employee group to learn more, or contact pd.workshops@ubc.ca with questions.
Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan: Aug. 22
We have an upcoming Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan information session for members of the Staff Pension Plan. If you or your staff are interested in attending, please register soon as these sessions fill up quickly.
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Detailed location information will be given upon registration.
Presenter: Debbie Wilson, Director, UBC Staff Pension Plan
Register online
Upcoming Ergonomics Workshops in August
We have three upcoming office ergonomics training sessions – all UBC staff and faculty are invited to attend.
Register for Office Ergo Rep Training: Aug. 21 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.)
Expand to learn more
The Ergonomics program at UBC strives to have an Office Ergonomics Representative for each department. Office Ergo Reps are trained by the Ergonomics Advisor in simple computer workstation set-up, signs and symptoms of injuries from poor ergonomic set-up and control strategies to reduce or prevent symptoms.
At this training, Office Ergo Rep participants will learn:
- Basic ergonomic risk factors
- Proper computer workstation set-up
- How to conduct ergonomic assessment for minor issues as well as a quick screen for new hires
Participants will also be provided with training material to share with their colleague
Register for Sit-Stand Desks & Platforms: Aug. 23 (11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Expand to learn more
What To Expect: This workshop will provide participants with important information about different types of sit-stand desks and platforms available on the market. Understanding the pros and cons of each will assist departments, staff and faculty in deciding which option is most suitable.
Product samples will be available for participants to try out in order to get an idea of how the different models impact positioning and workflow.
Workshop participants will also learn proper set-up for sit-stand desks and how frequently to alternate positions. Participants will receive information on UBC’s Sit-Stand Demo Program and process.
This workshop is for managers, purchasing personnel and staff/faculty who are considering getting a sit-stand desk or platform.
Register for Ergo Your Office: 1hr Tutorial: Aug. 23 (9:00 – 10:00 a.m.)
Expand to learn more
What To Expect:
Optimize your computer work environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury.
This one-hour tutorial combines a presentation and a practical session giving you hands on experience adjusting typical office equipment.
By the end of the tutorial you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse and monitor to promote neutral working postures.
CTLT Summer Institute 2018: Aug. 20-24
Interested in teaching, learning or technology? The UBC CTLT Summer Institute features more than 20 free workshops on topics such as open education, student wellbeing, learning analytics, and more. View the full schedule of events and learn more at institute.ctlt.ubc.ca/summer-institute/.
Reminder: Staff Welcome Back BBQ RSVPs due Aug. 14
As a reminder, RSVPs for this year’s Staff Welcome Back BBQ are due Aug. 14, 2018. Learn more at https://ceremonies.ubc.ca/staffbbq/.
Event Details:
Staff Welcome Back BBQ
Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Flag Pole Plaza [map]
Upcoming Professional Development Workshops: September-October 2018
If you’re planning ahead for your professional development, or want to have some suggestions for professional development opportunities to share with your staff, we have some new workshops coming to UBC’s Vancouver campus this fall:
- Sept. 18: Time Management: Planning, Prioritizing & Productivity (Cost: $300)
- Sept. 24: Building Resilient Teams (Cost: $200)
- Oct. 12: Appreciative Inquiry: A Way to Generate and Nurture Effective Work Environments (Cost: $300)
- Oct. 16: Selection Interviewing: Ensuring Equity (Cost: $25)
- Oct. 24: Practical Project Management (2-Day) (Cost: $550)
- Oct. 29: Thriving in Change (Cost: $200)
These courses are eligible for professional development funding – visit the PD funding page for your employee group to learn more.
Staff Welcome Back BBQ 2018: RSVP by Aug. 14, 2018
Each year, the President’s Office and Human Resources welcomes UBC staff to the new academic year with the Staff Welcome Back BBQ.
Registration is now open for this year’s Staff Welcome Back BBQ (Vancouver campus):
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Flag Pole Plaza [map]
How to Register
Your department has a contact for this event who will register all attendees in your department online. You can find the list of Department Contacts here. Registration closes on Aug. 14. The Ceremonies Office will send tickets for registered attendees to your department in early September. Registration information can be found here.
Staff who miss the registration deadline can still register on the day of the event at the onsite registration table, with a valid UBCCard. Note: food cannot be guaranteed for day-of registrants.
Eligibility
This event is open to UBC employees with “staff” appointments only. This does not include faculty appointments, post-doctoral, student appointments, work-study and co-op positions.
Learn more at https://ceremonies.ubc.ca/staffbbq/.
Pride Week at UBC 2018
Each August, communities across Vancouver come together to kick off the annual Vancouver Pride Week. At UBC, you are invited to join in the celebrations, and show your support for creating positive space across UBC.
Two UBC events you can attend:
- UBC’s annual Pride Convergence: July 30, 4:00-6:30 p.m.
- UBC Pride: Aug. 1, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Visit https://equity.ubc.ca/celebratepride/ to learn more and register.
One-hour tutorial: Ergonomics for the Office: July 19
Do you or your employees need help in up a computer work space? We invite you to join UBC’s ergonomics team for a one-hour tutorial that combines a presentation and a practical session with hands-on experience adjusting typical office equipment. By the end of the tutorial you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse and monitor to promote neutral working postures.
This session is free and open to all UBC staff and faculty.
Ergo Your Office Tutorial
July 19, 2018, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tech Enterprise Facilities III, Room 604, 6190 Agronomy Road [map]
Register for this session
Can’t make the session?
UBC Ergonomics has an online Office Ergonomics assessment that you can take at any time, with visuals to assist you in setting up your office equipment to fit you. Visit http://www.hr.ubc.ca/wellbeing-benefits/workplace-health/ergonomics/office-ergonomics/ to get started.