Coaching Internship Program Information Sessions: Oct. 23, 2017
Coaching@UBC is now accepting applications for the 2018 Coaching Internship Program. Successful candidates will receive funding towards the completion of an ICF Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) at an institution of their choice.
Questions we will address at the Coaching Internship Program Information Sessions:
- Have you ever considered becoming a Coach?
- Wonder what being a Coach Intern entails?
- What are the requirements to apply?
- Why would you want to apply?
- Is this opportunity for you?
Our next session is
Oct. 23, 2017, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Tech Enterprise Facilities III – Rm 610, 6190 Agronomy Road
Register online
Looking For a Coach?
Are you looking for a coach? We have 17 coaches currently available to work with UBC staff and faculty – sign in to our portal at http://www.hr.ubc.ca/coaching/ to get a coach today!
Stat Holiday Alert: Labour Day, Sept. 4, 2017
This year, the Labour Day statutory holiday is Monday, Sept. 4, 2017.
If you have questions about calculating stat holiday pay for your employees, see our Calculating Statutory Holiday Pay guide.
See the full list of UBC Statutory Holidays.
Compensation Job Classification Reviews Moving to Tuesdays/Thursdays
Our Compensation team in HR has, for a number of years, conducted job classification reviews on Mondays and Thursdays. Effective Sept. 5, 2017, these reviews will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If you have any questions, please contact Kathleen Cheng (Senior Manager, Compensation) at kathleen.cheng@ubc.ca.
Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan: New Sessions Sept. 7 & 14
We have two sessions in September for members of the Staff Pension Plan. If you are interested in attending, please register soon as these sessions fill up quickly.
These workshops will help attendees learn more about the plan, pensions in general, and related retirement considerations.
Course information
Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan
Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
or
Sept. 14, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Register online
Coaching For Personal and Professional Development Information Session: July 10
Join us for an information session at noon on July 10 to learn about Coaching@UBC‘s free professional coaching services for staff and faculty.
In this information session, you will learn:
- What is Coaching?
- How does Coaching work?
- Why choose Coaching for personal or professional development?
- How do I access Coaching at UBC?
Course information
Coaching For Personal and Professional Development
July 10, 2017, 12:00 p.m.
Tech Enterprise Facilities III, Room 610 [map]
Register online
New Entrance & Exit Surveys for Staff and Faculty
UBC has offered entrance and exit surveys for staff and faculty for about eight years. The information gathered from these surveys is important because it provides insights into why people join UBC, and why they choose to leave. It’s also an opportunity to better understand the experiences of faculty and staff at UBC. Participation rates for these surveys, however, have been consistently low.
To improve participation rates and the quality of information, we have adopted a new approach:
Provider
The surveys are now hosted by a third-party provider, TalentMap (talentmap.com), a Canadian-based employee survey consultant, rather than internally through HRMS. All individual responses received by this third-party provider are confidential and anonymous. Employees can continue to access the entrance and exit surveys via Self-Service.
Survey Questions
We have updated the survey questionnaire, with guidance from TalentMap. Where applicable, we have used consistent questions across the entrance and exit surveys and plan to extend this consistency to the upcoming Workplace Experiences Survey in November. We have also taken advantage of better advice regarding the wording of the questions, making the survey higher quality.
Because survey respondents can indicate their faculty, VP Portfolio, or if in a large VP portfolio, their unit (e.g. Library, IT), it is possible to generate reports for faculties/departments, provided there are enough respondents.
Completing the Survey
We will be encouraging new hires to complete the entrance surveys through the new Orientation & Onboarding program (Vancouver). For the exit surveys, we don’t have a formal mechanism to reach those who have chosen to leave UBC. We are interested in working with individual faculties/departments to identify ways to encourage participation and also look at opportunities to incorporate the exit survey into local exit processes. If you would be interested in partnering or having a conversation about it, please let us know. We can also provide you with the web links for the surveys if you would like to include them in communications that are part of your local onboarding and exit processes.
If you have questions, or to discuss further, please contact Catherine Pitman.
Search for New VP Human Resources
As announced in yesterday’s broadcast email, Lisa Castle, UBC Vice President Human Resources, will be retiring at the end of 2017. Ms. Castle has been with HR since 1994, and has helped shape the university’s approach to its people practices and in creating positive and respectful work environments across the organization.
President Santa Ono has established an advisory committee to support the search process for the next VP Human Resources, a role that provides vision and leadership in carrying out the university’s human resources plan including its people practices and workplace culture. The Human Resources portfolio provides support and advice to UBC faculties and departments and a range of services for faculty and staff, including recruitment and employment, organizational development and workplace learning, wellbeing programming, faculty and staff relations, compensation, pension and benefits administration, and the development of human resource policies and practices.
In the coming weeks, more details will be provided around how members of the UBC community can share their comments about the future opportunities and challenges that are ahead. Members of the HR community of practice are encouraged to look for this opportunity, to add your thoughts to the conversation around the recruitment of the next VP Human Resources.
Reminder: Staff Pension Plan Fair – Wednesday, June 21, 2017
The SPP Pension Fair takes place on Wednesday, June 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. The fair will be held in the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre [map]. This is a drop-in event; no RSVP is required.
The Pension Fair is a great opportunity for members to learn more about their pension plan and increase their pension knowledge. We are also pleased to have the following groups in attendance:
- UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits
- UBC Employee and Family Assistance Program
- UBC Investment Management Trust (IMANT) Inc.
- CARP (Canadian Association for Retired Persons)
Visit the SPP Pension Fair event website for more details.
Upcoming Mental Health Workshops; Resources for Administrators
UBC recognizes the key role that positive mental health plays in the workplace, as well as its impact on professional performance, productivity and respectful environments. Mental health problems can be as disabling as physical health conditions, and are sometimes harder to heal. Our programs and training programs are aimed at increasing mental health literacy and decreasing stigma. We are working to provide UBC staff and faculty with tools and resources to improve mental health, resiliency and coping skills.
Upcoming Mental Health Workshops
Self-Care 101: June 22
This session will focus on increasing mental health literacy through self-care. You will learn about the body’s stress response and how to identify these responses in yourself, assess your stress levels, explore the meaning of personal self-care, and discover the many resources available for UBC staff and faculty. Find out more and register now.
Understanding Mental Health Challenges: July 27
Understanding mental health challenges can be difficult and knowing how to interact with someone who might be in a mental health crisis can be even more challenging. The goal of this session is to increase mental health literacy while providing tools and skills to respond effectively in a caring and respectful way. Participants will learn skills and knowledge to help better manage mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague. Find out more and register now.
Requesting A Workshop For Your Unit
If you are interested in holding a workshop in your unit that focuses on supporting faculty and staff mental health, check out the course offerings on our Mental Health Resources page. Contact information for the course facilitators is available in the course listing.
Understanding Your Travel Benefits: June 20, 2017
The spring and summer are fast approaching and many staff and faculty are preparing for vacations both at home and abroad. A medical emergency while travelling can be a frightening and also costly experience. Join UBC Benefits Specialist Stephanie Mah for a one-hour session on understanding your UBC travel benefits, and ensure that your well-earned vacation is as stress free as possible.
This session will also include a Q & A period and we encourage you to come with questions.
June 20, 2017, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Point Grey: Life Sciences Centre room 1002
DHCC/VGH room 2263 (webcast)
Register Online
Learn more about your UBC travel benefits (part of the staff and faculty extended health plan).
HR Memo: M&P Compensation Review – Pay Grade and Salary Administration, Phase 2 Effective July 1, 2017 (May 25, 2017)
Today, we have a memo with information on the second implementation of the 2016 M&P Compensation Review, effective July 1, 2017.
If you have any questions, please contact Kathleen Cheng, Manager, Compensation, at kathleen.cheng@ubc.ca or 604-822-8148.
See all HR memos at http://www.hr.ubc.ca/memos/.
Staff Pension Plan Fair – Wednesday, June 21, 2017
The SPP Pension Fair takes place on Wednesday, June 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. The fair will be held in the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre [map]. This is a drop-in event; no RSVP is required.
The Pension Fair is a great opportunity for members to learn more about their pension plan and increase their pension knowledge. We are also pleased to have the following groups in attendance:
- UBC Retirement and Survivor Benefits
- UBC Employee and Family Assistance Program
- UBC Investment Management Trust (IMANT) Inc.
- CARP (Canadian Association for Retired Persons)
Visit the SPP Pension Fair event website for more details.
Staff Pension Plan Annual Report: 2016 Year In Review
The Staff Pension Plan annual report, 2016 Year in Review, is online. The report includes a message from the SPP Board Chair, 2016 Plan highlights, membership and financial statistics, and a review of the Plan’s investment performance.
View the SPP Annual Report: 2016 Year in Review.
Staff Pension Plan – May Newsletter and Annual Statements
The May 2017 issue of the Staff Pension Plan Update newsletter was sent out this week. Members will have either received an electronic copy, or they will soon receive a paper copy of the newsletter along with their annual statement.
In this issue of the SPP Update:
- Join us for the Staff Pension Plan Fair: June 21
- Annual Report: 2016 Year In Review
- The 2017 Actuarial Valuation is underway
- Election Results
- New Pension Board Member: Michal Jaworski
- Annual Governance Update
- 2017 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
- 2017 Workshops
View the May SPP Update newsletter.
HR Memos: BC Provincial Election; May 1 GWI/ESD
On April 24, 2017, we distributed a memo on the subject of the University’s obligations to employees who are scheduled to work on May 9, 2017, while voting will be underway for the provincial general election.
On April 27, 2017, we distributed a memo regarding the May 1, 2017, General Wage Increases and Economic Stability Dividend for staff who are members of the following employee groups: Management & Professional (represented by AAPS), Executive Administrative, Non-Union Technicians & Research Assistants, and Farm Workers.
Need Help With Your Staff & Faculty Recruitment? Connect With UBC Hiring Solutions
If you’re hiring faculty or staff, UBC Hiring Solutions (formerly Staff Finders) offers in-house recruitment support at the Vancouver campus to help you find the best candidates.
Hiring Solutions can help with permanent placement recruitment assistance (M&P, Excluded, Non-union Techs, CUPE), pre-employment testing services for external candidates, and reference checking services, in addition to high-quality temporary staff placement services. Contact Hiring Solutions today to learn how they can help you recruit the best candidates for your department.
Learn more at http://www.hr.ubc.ca/hiring-solutions/.
Timeline for 2017 Performance-Based Merit Pay Program
Human Resources is currently working on the implementation of the 2016 M&P Compensation Review implementation for July 1, 2016 (as communicated in our memo of March 22, 2017). Once that implementation has been made (for the April 30, 2017, pay cheque), we will begin work on the July 1, 2017, implementation. In order to ensure the Compensation Review implementations are made in an efficient and timely manner, we will be waiting to send communications and materials for the 2017 Performance-Based Merit Pay Program until after the July 1, 2017, implementation is done.
About the UBC Merit Pay Program
The University’s performance-based Merit Pay program recognizes and rewards meritorious performance. The following employee groups are eligible for this program:
- Management & Professional,
- Executive Administrative staff (i.e., excluded clerical),
- Farmworkers, and
- Non-union Technicians and Research Assistants.
This program is designed to provide a tool to move employees who have demonstrated above average performance from the midpoint toward the maximum of their salary ranges.
See full information at http://www.hr.ubc.ca/compensation/salary-administration/salary-progression/merit-pay/.
Faculty Pension Plan Forum: May 10, 2017
On Wednesday, May 10, the UBC Faculty Pension Plan (FPP) will host its Pension Forum. This annual event is a great opportunity for members to hear the latest news about their pension plan and to meet the Plan’s trustees, management and staff. There will be a presentation on the Plan’s 2016 investment performance and a review of the 2016/17 initiatives.
This year, we are offering a live webcast of the presentation for members who are unable to attend the event in person. Webcast details will be emailed to members in early May. The webcast link will also be posted on the Plan’s website at faculty.pensions.ubc.ca/pensionforum. Members are encouraged to make sure their email address is up-to-date.
Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (doors open at 10 a.m.)
Location: Commons Block, Marine Drive Residence, 2205 Lower Mall, Vancouver Campus [map]
Visit faculty.pensions.ubc.ca/pensionforum for event details and registration.
Faculty Pension Plan Annual Report: 2016 Year in Review
The UBC Faculty Pension Plan’s annual report, 2016 Year in Review, is now available online. The report includes plan highlights, membership and financial statistics, fund and investment managers’ rates of return, and a market commentary. The Plan’s audited Financial statements will be available by the end of April 2017.
View the 2016 UBC FPP Annual Report.
Professional Development Funding for Staff: Updates for 2017-2018 Funding Year
New Funding Year for Staff Professional Development Funds Began April 1
April 1, 2017, is the start of the new funding year for UBC professional development funds for staff. There have been changes to the maximum claim amounts for some groups, as indicated below and in our memo of April 5, 2017.
- BCGEU Okanagan: $1,200 Regular; $600 Auxiliary
- CUPE 116: $1,000 (new)
- CUPE 2950: $1,400 (new)
- Executive Administrative: $1,500 (new)
- Management and Professional (AAPS): $550
- Non-Union Technicians & Research Assistants: $1,000 (new)
- Service Unit Directors & Excluded M&P: $1,500 (new)
The funding maximums noted above are pro rated in some cases if an employee works part-time. Staff members can confirm their personal eligibility and available balances online through Faculty & Staff Self-Service.
Please contact susanna.mulligan@ubc.ca in UBC Human Resources if you have any questions about these funds. For the BCGEU Okanagan SSPD, please contact deb.oakley@ubc.ca.
Faculty PD Funding
Information on professional development funding for those with Faculty appointments can be found at:
- Faculty (Tenure and Tenure-Track)
- Sessional Lecturers (continuing status)
- Sessional Lecturers (without continuing status)
- Research Associates
- Postdoctoral Fellows