Yale Bulletin and Calendar

October 15, 2004|Volume 33, Number 7

Yale will launch surveys
on work issues, child care

Yale is launching two surveys this month -- one soliciting employees' feedback on important workplace issues, and another assessing the campus community's child care needs.

The surveys are part of an ongoing effort to improve University operations and services campus-wide and to increase employee performance and satisfaction.

"Change will only happen with all of us on board," says John Pepper, vice president of finance and administration and a sponsor of the workplace survey. "I've never seen a University more ready for change. This is the moment. We've got to move forward and make it happen."

Yale Workplace Survey

"The Yale Workplace Survey: New Conversations, New Culture, Best Practices" will begin its first phase Oct. 18-29. The survey is part of a program designed to determine what staff think are important workplace issues and to help their departments develop action plans to make improvements.

Initially, six departments across campus will take part in the survey, which will go University-wide in 2005. Participants in the first phase will be the Finance & Administration Office, Yale University Libraries, the Development Office, the School of Drama, Information Technology Services (ITS) at the School of Medicine and the Yale Health Plan.

The survey will focus on training, team work, benefits, communication and leadership. The results will be collected and analyzed by Towers Perrin, a consulting firm. Reports will be reviewed by participating departments, with assistance if requested, to make plans to improve the workplace issues identified in the survey.

The survey is confidential, and staff will not be asked to log in with Net I.D.'s, names or titles.

The survey can be accessed through the program's website (www.yale.edu/conversations) from both office and home computers, as well as the SAM (service and maintenance) kiosks on campus. SAM kiosk information is available on the "conversations" website or at www.facilities.yale.edu/Campus/SamKioskLocations.htm. Other kiosk locations are at www.yale.edu/cluster/kiosk.html.

Orientation sessions for those wanting hands-on assistance are available during the survey period at locations throughout campus. For locations, dates and times, visit the website or call the Learning Center at (203) 432-5660. The orientation sessions are also listed under the "Training" section of the Yale Calendar of Events. The orientation takes about 30 minutes, at the end of which participants have the option of taking the survey. Sessions are walk-in, with no registration required.

In addition to Pepper, the program is sponsored by Rob Schwartz, associate vice president and chief human resources officer. Laura Freebairn-Smith, director of the Organizational Development & Learning Center, is the project leader and is working with an advisory group of staff and representatives from Locals 34 and 35. The group includes Jack Beecher, clinical administrator in anesthesiology; Cynthia Smith, director of financial systems and services in the Controller's Office; Vicki Nolan, associate dean of the School of Drama; Susan Grajek, director of ITS at the School of Medicine; Kenny Marone, director of the Medical School Library; Yolanda Giordano, account assistant in pediatrics (Local 34 representive); and Mark Wilson of custodial services (Local 35 representative).

Child Care Survey

Recognizing that balancing work and family life is a challenge for many members of the Yale community, the University is evaluating its work-life services, including child care.

Since an important service to many families is access to quality child care, work is being done to review current child care offerings, assess needs and review ways to enhance these services. An important part of this effort will be the upcoming web-based child care survey, which will run Oct. 18 31.

All Yale faculty, staff (clerical and technical, service and maintenance, managerial and professional), postdoctoral trainees, and graduate and professional school students will have the chance to communicate their perceived child care needs and desired enhancements.

Since service & maintenance staff may not have convenient access to a Yale computer, paper copies of the survey will be mailed to their homes. The survey is accessible from home or Yale computers, at www.stsresearch.com/yale. Staff may also walk into a Yale Workplace Survey orientation and support site and ask to take the child care survey. Information on support site locations and times is available at www.yale.edu/conversations; at the Learning Center, (203) 432-5660; and in the Yale Calendar of Events, under "Training."

Survey responses will be kept confidential, and only Bright Horizons, Yale's childcare consultants, will see the individual responses. After the survey data is analyzed, Bright Horizons will work with University leaders to develop recommendations for expanding access to child care.

The survey is being led by the Provost's Office, working with the Finance & Administration Office, and is being managed by the Organizational Development & Learning Center. All employees -- including those who do not have children under the age of 13 -- are encouraged to participant in the survey.

For more information, contact the Learning Center at the number above.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Yale will launch surveys on work issues, child care

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Yale curator traded lab for work in Iraqi war zone

Congressman addresses U.S. relations with Libya, Egypt, Syria

Noted specialists will assess aspects of globalization in talks

Panelists to assess situation in Iraq today

Yale Rep's next offering is a 'techno-comedy' by an alumnus

Events celebrate Polish writer . . .

GE executive to discuss 'Imagination at Work' as Gordon Grand Fellow

Yale's ongoing partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb is celebrated at event

Taking a walk-through

Harpsichord concert and other events celebrate anniversary . . .

Faculty work on global issues is recognized with new YCIAS awards

20th-century slavery is focus of Gilder Lehrman Center conference

Come the harvest

Open Enrollment for employee benefits . . .

Campus Notes