HR News

Reminder: Preparing in advance of any possible weather-related campus disruptions

By Breeonne Baxter on January 9, 2020

Do you have an up-to-date operations plan in case of a campus disruption? With snow in the forecast, we recommend that you take some time (if you have not already done so) to consider what essential services your unit will need in the event of an extreme weather, such as a snow or ice storm. Essential services in the context of extreme weather conditions are those services that are needed to ensure the safety, security, welfare, and health of the community, property, and research and certain operational and contractual activities of the university.

Please visit our page on Staffing during a weather disruption for a full list of considerations.

Some things to think about:

  • Review the services that your unit provides, and determine which of those services are essential.
  • Have a discussion with employees who are in those roles and let them know the university’s expectations and policy in the event of extreme weather (Disruption of Classes/Services by Snow Policy: the Snow Policy (SC5) (formerly Policy #68)).
  • If you have essential CUPE 2950 positions, follow the process as outlined in Article 13.01 and Letter of Agreement 13.01 of the collective agreement, which requires communication with Human Resources (contact Korey Onyskevitch at korey.onyskevitch@ubc.ca) and the union. This does not preclude your ability to request additional essential services should the need arise.

Setting up a plan in advance will allow you to address any issues with your team and with your HR Advisor. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your HR Advisor.

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Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan workshops this spring

By Breeonne Baxter on January 9, 2020

The Pension Administration Office is hosting several spring sessions of the Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan workshop, an informative  session designed for both potential and current members of the UBC Staff Pension Plan. All ages are welcome to attend.  Below are a list of upcoming dates and times.

  • Jan. 16, 2020, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
  • Jan. 29, 2020, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
  • Feb. 13, 2020, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
  • Feb. 25, 2020, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
  • March 12, 2020, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
  • March 24, 2020, 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Learn more and register at the SPP Workshops page: https://staff.pensions.ubc.ca/news/workshops/

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getEducated: Get your department educated about the UBC Staff Pension Plan

By Chelsey Maher on November 28, 2019

The Staff Pension Plan (SPP) regularly holds workshops at the Pension Administration Office (Vancouver campus), but did you know the SPP can also come to your location? getEducated seminars are sessions where a representative from the SPP will come to your office, department or unit to provide your staff with an opportunity to learn more about the Plan and ask pension-related questions in a group setting with colleagues.

Sessions can often accommodate specific topics, different group sizes, and different times of day (even outside of normal office hours). Learn about how to coordinate a session for your department today.

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Understanding Your Travel Benefits Information Session: Dec. 11

By Marlene Dong on November 28, 2019

With the winter months and the holidays fast approaching, many faculty and staff are preparing for vacations both at home and abroad. Sometimes, medical emergencies while travelling can happen – and it can end up being a frightening and costly experience.

Staff and faculty who are enrolled in the UBC extended health benefits plan are invited to attend an information session to understand their travel benefits.

Date: Dec. 11, 2019
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Centre for Brain Health, Room 101 (lower level), 2215 Wesbrook Mall
RSVP: Register now

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UBC Faculty Pension Plan Board of Trustees election closes Nov. 18

By Breeonne Baxter on November 14, 2019

The UBC Faculty Pension Plan (FPP) Board of Trustees Election for two members to serve as trustees on the Board closes at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019.

If you are an FPP member, you are encouraged to cast your ballot now – your vote is important in determining who will sit on the pension board and represent the interests of FPP members. Follow the link below for candidate statements and information on how to vote:

The results of the election will be posted on the UBC FPP website on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019.

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Coaching internship applications open; information session: Nov. 18

By Breeonne Baxter on November 14, 2019

Coaching@UBC is accepting applications for the 2020-21 Coaching Internship Program.  Successful applicants will receive funding towards the completion of an ICF Accredited Coach Training Program. Funding for this round of Coach Intern recipients is for the fiscal year April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021.

Information session: Nov. 18

Learn about the program and what it mean to become a coach through the Coaching Internship Program at the noon-hour information session on Nov. 18, 2019. Register online.

Please visit the Coaching Internship Program for full details and application documents.  The application deadline is Feb. 2, 2020.

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Mental Health First Aid training: Nov. 21 & 28

By Breeonne Baxter on November 14, 2019

Mental Health First Aid training aims to improve mental health literacy. This workshop provides participants with the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.

By the end of the training, participants will recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, be able to provide initial support to a person who may be developing a mental health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis, and be prepared to guide a person towards appropriate professional help.

Course information

Mental Health First Aid Training
Date: Nov. 21 & 28, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (both days)
Location: Rm 1505 – Life Building, 6138 Student Union Boulevard
Register online

Please note that you must attend the full training in order to receive the course completion certificate.

Mental Health First Aid Training is an evidence-based internationally recognized program through the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

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UBC Faculty Pension Plan Board of Trustees Election

UBC Faculty Pension Plan Board of Trustees Election

By Breeonne Baxter on October 31, 2019

Please share this with faculty in your unit

Voting is now open for the election of two UBC Faculty Pension Plan (FPP) members to serve as trustees on the Board. If you are an FPP member, you are encouraged to cast your ballot now – your vote is important in determining who will sit on the pension board and represent the interests of FPP members. Follow the link below for candidate statements and information on how to vote: https://facultystaff.students.ubc.ca/2019-faculty-pension-plan-election-trustees

Voting closes at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, and the results of the election will be posted on our website on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019.

If you have any questions regarding this election, please email elections.information@ubc.ca.

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HR memo: UBC Staff Pension Plan – Enrolment changes effective April 1, 2020: Oct. 9, 2019

By Breeonne Baxter on October 17, 2019

HR has issued a memo regarding the upcoming changes to enrolment in the Staff Pension Plan, effective April 1, 2020.

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Accommodation of religious observances

By Breeonne Baxter on October 3, 2019

Human Resources has information available on our website on the accommodation of religious observances in the workplace. Please visit hr.ubc.ca/administrators/managing-staff/accommodation-of-religious-observances/ to read more.

Background: On Sept. 24, 2019, the Board of Governors approved the repeal of Policy #65 (Religious Holidays). Former Policy #65 overlapped with Policy SC7 (Discrimination) (formerly numbered Policy #3) which sets out UBC’s commitment to maintain and respect human rights and prevent discrimination on all of the grounds prohibited by the Human Rights Code, including religion, and is also addressed in collective agreements, through the Senate Policy on Academic Concessions in both the UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan Academic Calendars, and information available on the website of the Equity & Inclusion Office. The repeal of Policy #65 removes the redundancy and furthers UBC’s goal of enhancing the consistency and cogency of the university’s governance. The information package that was provided to the Board of Governors is available here.

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Update on Non-Union TRA PD fund

By Breeonne Baxter on October 3, 2019

The 2019/20 Professional Development Fund for Non-Union Technicians & Research Assistants (TRA) has limited funding remaining and is expected to run out in the next week. When the funding pool balance reaches zero, all staff individual balances will expire and no further PD expense claims will be accepted for the current fund year.

On Oct. 1, a message was sent to all Non-Union Technicians and Research Assistants by Human Resources to inform them of the remaining availability.

If you receive any questions about this matter from staff in your unit, please direct them to the TRA PD webpage or contact our PD Funds team at pd.funds@ubc.ca.

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Spotlight on Coaching at UBC

By Breeonne Baxter on September 19, 2019

Coaching is a development opportunity to focus and move forward on your personal, professional or organizational goals through the exploration of ideas and candid dialogue with a confidential and unbiased thinking partner. UBC Coaching offers several ways for faculty and staff to engage with coaching, on an individual as well as a leadership basis.

One-on-one coaching

We have several coaches available to UBC staff and faculty. Both internal and external coaches offer coaching services at no cost for up to six sessions, for staff and faculty who register through the UBC Coaching portal. Visit coaching.hr.ubc.ca/app/coaching/ to login to our coaching portal with your CWL.

Coaching information session: Oct. 9

Would you like to learn more about coaching? We have a one-hour information session on Oct. 9, to provide interested staff and faculty with an overview on what coaching is, and how it can help you with your personal or professional development at UBC.

Course information:

Coaching For Personal and Professional Development
Date: Oct. 9, 2019, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610 [map]
Cost: Free
Register online

Foundations of Workplace Coaching Skills: Oct. 30

If you are interested in learning how to bring coaching to your work style, we invite you to join us for a one-day workshop, to gain a better understanding of coaching and put coaching skills into practice.

Learning outcomes:

  • Understand what a coach approach means, the key principles and what is a coaching mindset
  • Understand how coaching skills complement and strengthen your wider communication skills
  • Be able to distinguish between coaching and mentoring/counselling/consulting/advising
  • Understand the structure of a coaching conversation
  • Be able to engage in fundamental coaching skills
  • Be able to identify where, when and how you can use coaching in your work at UBC
  • Be able to discern coachable moments and identify when coaching is not the best form of communication

Course information:

Foundations of Workplace Coaching Skills
Date: Oct. 30, 2019, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610 [map]
Cost: $350
Register online

If you are interested in this workshop, you may be able to use your professional development funding. Please visit the page for your employee group to learn more.

Want to be a coach?

Our Coaching program will be accepting applications for the 2019-2020 Coaching Internship Program this fall. Successful candidates will receive funding towards the completion of an ICF Accredited Coach Training Program at an institution of their choice. If you are interested in learning more about this program, we encourage you to join us for our information session in November.

Course information:

Coaching Internship Program – Information Session
Date: Nov. 18, 2019, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: TEF III, Room 610 [map]
Cost: Free
Register online

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UBC Orientations website

UBC Orientations website

By Breeonne Baxter on September 5, 2019

It’s a new academic year, and many new staff and faculty have joined the university across our many sites and campuses. We invite you to share our Orientations portal with your new staff and faculty as part of helping them get set up for success.

Check out the site at https://www.hr.ubc.ca/orientation/. If you have any questions about staff orientation at UBC, please contact us at workplace.orientations@ubc.ca.

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Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan: September sessions

By Breeonne Baxter on August 22, 2019

The Pensions Administration Office is hosting two upcoming September Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan sessions for members of the UBC Staff Pension Plan. If you are interested in attending, please register soon as these sessions fill up quickly.

These workshops help attendees learn about the plan, about pensions in general, and related retirement considerations.

  • Tuesday, Sept. 17, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Sept. 26: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Visit https://staff.pensions.ubc.ca/news/workshops/ to register.

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Search for the new Vice President, Human Resources

Search for the new Vice President, Human Resources

By Breeonne Baxter on June 27, 2019

The search has been launched for the new Vice President, Human Resources.

UBC’s Vice President, Human Resources, reports to the President and oversees a human resources portfolio that includes equity and inclusion; human resources advisory partnerships; central operational services; total compensation; health & wellbeing; strategic workplace initiatives; learning & engagement; strategic faculty relations; housing and relocation services; and human resources management systems.

You can view the posting at executive search firm Caldwell Partner’s website, job ID 190525.

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Reminder: UBC Staff Pension Fair: June 20

Reminder: UBC Staff Pension Fair: June 20

By Breeonne Baxter on June 13, 2019

The Staff Pension Plan (SPP) Pension Fair will take place on Thursday, June 20,  11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre. This event is a great opportunity for members to learn more about the SPP and gain some pension knowledge. Similar to past years, we will have information tables hosted by UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits, UBC Investment Management Trust, UBC Employee and Family Assistance Program, and more.

Registration is not required and you are encouraged to drop in at any time that is convenient for you. For more information, please visit https://staff.pensions.ubc.ca/pensionfair/

The Pension Board, management and staff look forward to meeting you and answering your questions.

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Call for input on search for new Vice-President, Human Resources

By Breeonne Baxter on May 30, 2019

This week, UBC launched the search for a new Vice-President, Human Resources. The announcement included a call for input from faculty, staff, students and alumni on the following questions:

  • What do you see as some of the key opportunities and challenges ahead of the Human Resources portfolio in the coming years?
  • What experience and personal qualities would you want an ideal candidate to bring to this role?
  • Any other comments that might be useful to the committee?
  • Any suggestions of potential candidates for this role?

You are invited to submit comments by June 7, 2019, to the search firm Caldwell at drailton@caldwellpartners.com or acotterall@caldwellpartners.com. All responses will be kept confidential.

Read the full announcement at https://faculty-staff.ubc.ca/2019/05/29/search-for-a-new-vice-president-human-resources/.

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2019 merit-based salary increases for AAPS, Executive Administrative, Farmworkers, and Non-Union Technicians & Research Assistants

By Breeonne Baxter on May 30, 2019

Compensation has distributed departmental spreadsheets to administrators who have staff eligible for this year’s merit-based salary increases in the following employment groups: AAPS, Executive Administrative, Farmworkers, and Non-union Technicians & Research Assistants. To be eligible, staff members must have passed their probationary period and be at or above the midpoint of their salary range as of June 30, 2018.

Please visit the merit web page for information on the following:

  • Instructions for completing your department spreadsheet
  • Step-by-step instructions for implementing merit
  • Merit FAQs

Inquiries about your spreadsheet can be directed to Sabrina Basra (604-827-2464 or sabrina.basra@ubc.ca).

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June 20: UBC Staff Pension Fair

By Breeonne Baxter on May 16, 2019

The Staff Pension Plan (SPP) Pension Fair will take place on Thursday, June 20,  11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre. This event is a great opportunity for members to learn more about the SPP and gain some pension knowledge. Similar to past years, we will have information tables hosted by UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits, UBC Investment Management Trust, UBC Employee and Family Assistance Program, and more.

Registration is not required and you are encouraged to drop in at any time that is convenient for you. For more information, please visit https://staff.pensions.ubc.ca/pensionfair/

The Pension Board, management and staff look forward to meeting you and answering your questions.

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Reminder: HR Network News: User feedback survey

By Breeonne Baxter on May 16, 2019

HR Network News is produced by the Department of Human Resources for the purpose of delivering timely, relevant information to the Human Resources community of practice at UBC’s Vancouver campus.

It has been a while since we made any changes to the content/format of the newsletter, and we want to take this opportunity to ask for your feedback and if you have any suggestions for how we can improve communications on HR matters to you and your teams. The survey will be open until the end of day Friday, May 17.

You can access the survey at https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jQa70WGlegC7m5.

If you have any questions or other comments on this matter, please feel free to email us at communications@hr.ubc.ca.

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