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Employee Engagement Survey 

The 2021 Employee Engagement Survey, administered by the Office of Human Resources (OHR), is critical for understanding staff experiences at the University. Data from the survey will assist administrative leaders in working to improve our workplace. The Employee Engagement Survey has one question specific to the flexible work arrangements you currently have as an employee. Also, there will be two open-ended questions at the end of the survey for faculty and staff to provide additional feedback to this or other questions presented in the survey.  

Clarification Regarding COVID-19 Leaves Available for P&A Employees with Children

It is the hope of the University that supervisors can be flexible with P&A employees when they experience short term and immediate challenges relative to COVID-19 and caring for dependent children. This includes allowing more flexibility in regards to working arrangements. This may not be possible in all circumstances, and if time away needs to be used there are options:

  • If a dependent child is sick, including testing positive for COVID-19: P&A employees may use Medical Leave (often referred to as sick time for other employee groups)
  • If a dependent child needs to isolate due to exposure to COVID-19: P&A employees may use Emergency Paid Leave
  • If a school or childcare facility has closed temporarily due to COVID-19: P&A employees may use Emergency Paid Leave

November P&A Senate Policy Pop-Up Event

The P&A Senate Policy Pop-Up for November will feature JD Burton, chief government relations officer, Government and Community Relations, who will present “Legislative Advocacy”. The presentation will help constituents learn how to advocate for themselves and the University of Minnesota at the local, state, and national levels. This event will follow the same format as previous Policy Pop-Ups, featuring a short presentation and drop-in Q&A session.

When: Tuesday, November 16, 2021, from Noon to 1 PM CT

Where: Via Zoom

Register

    Senate Work 

    P&A Consultative Committee (PACC)  

    Chair Scott Creer and Chair-elect Adolfo Carrillo Cabello  

    Regent Kendall J. Powell, chair, Board of Regents, met with the P&A Consultative Committee (PACC) at its October meeting. PACC members highlighted for Regent Powell the broad range of work P&A staff are engaged in across the system. PACC raised questions regarding compensation, thoughts regarding the future of online instruction, and how the Board of Regents addresses the often competing priorities to increase public safety on and off campus with efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

    PACC will host President Gabel at its November 18, 2021, meeting. The committee will use this opportunity to discuss with President Gabel P&A employee morale and engagement.

    PACC was invited by Sarani Millican, chair, Student Senate/Student Senate Consultative Committee, to consult on a Resolution Concerning Caste-Based Discrimination, which was approved by the Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC) at its September 2021 meeting. PACC supports endorsing the resolution.

    PACC and the Civil Service Consultative Committee (CSCC) are collaborating in advocacy efforts regarding compensation ratio analysis conducted by the Office of Human Resources. PACC and CSCC are interested in learning more about how compensation ratio (University salaries compared to market salaries for the same position) correlates to the University’s employee retention, diversity, engagement, and recruiting efforts.

    The P&A Senate is continuing to highlight ways that P&A staff support the goals set out in the MPACT 2025 Systemwide Strategic Plan. P&A leadership is working with OHR and the Office of Institutional Analysis, using metrics already in place at the University, to demonstrate the impact of P&A staff contributions toward the MPACT 2025 goals. The hope is to combine broad-based metrics with individual P&A stories to articulate the comparable value of P&A staff alongside other employee groups. 

    If you would like to share questions, suggestions or feedback with P&A Senate leadership, please use this link. 

    Benefits & Compensation Subcommittee (B&C)

    Co-Chairs: Marti Fasteland and Nancy Sims

    Katie Kolodge, health and well-being consultant, Office of Human Resources (OHR) visited with the B&C Subcommittee to give an overview of the upcoming Benefits Open Enrollment period, which begins November 1st. Employees will continue to receive University communications about Open Enrollment throughout November. There are no major substantive changes to plans, but there are some rate increases. Employees may access additional information through a virtual benefits fair that will run throughout the entire month of November.

    The B&C Subcommittee is also discussing ways it may be able to facilitate and provide feedback to OHR regarding P&A staff experiences with the Work. With Flexibility guidance.

    Professional Development & Recognition Subcommittee (PD&R) 

    Co-Chairs: Leigh Allen and Monica Kocon  

    The December Seminar Series Event - presented by the P&A Professional Development and Recognition Subcommittee (PD&R) in partnership with the Civil Service Communications and Outreach Subcommittee - will feature Tamar Gronvall, director of the Office for Conflict Resolution (OCR). Her presentation, An Introduction to the Office of Conflict Resolution, centers around formal and informal conflict resolution services provided by OCR for University of Minnesota faculty, staff, and student employees who are not represented by a union.  

    • When: Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from Noon to 1 PM CT
    • Where: Via Zoom
    • Register

    The University Awards & Honors website lists awards for which P&A employees are eligible to submit nominations. Here are a few of those awards and their submission deadlines:

    Check the University Awards & Honors website often for updated award submission deadlines. 

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