This month, the Department of Human Resource Services is inaugurating a monthly newsletter for all University employees, titled working@yale.edu. The publication will provide "a voice to communicate the ongoing process of change in the way that we work, are compensated for our work and are evaluated in our work," announced Peter D. Vallone, associate vice president for administration.
The newsletter is the latest manifestation of the "changing form and face of Human Resources at Yale," says Mr. Vallone, noting that the department has been restructured in the past year in response to a growing need among Yale workers "for professional development and improved effectiveness." In addition to such areas as placement, compensation, benefits, payroll, training and labor relations, the Department of Human Resource Services now encompasses an assortment of "important logistical and support services," explains Mr. Vallone, including campus mail; travel; parking and transit; and traffic, receiving and stores.
"In the course of restructuring the Department of Human Resources," he says, "the important theme of communication emerged again and again, both in our strategic assessments and in feedback from the community."
To enhance communications between Yale and its employees, an electronic edition of working@yale.edu will be posted on the World Wide Web. "Our interactive Web site will be an open forum for dialogue and exchanges designed to help shape the Yale University workplace leading into the 21st century," says Mr. Vallone.
Richard White, a communications consultant with more than 20 years of experience in print and electronic media, will spearhead the communications efforts in the Department of Human Resource Services. Assisting him will be more than a dozen regular contributors from the department, as well as "occasional reporters" from around campus, who will serve as the publication's "eyes and ears," says Mr. Vallone.
"From time to time we will dispatch roving interviewers on campus with topical questions for members of the Yale community as we seek input from our readers," he adds. "We will compile these responses along with Website/e-mail replies to share these discussions about working@yale.edu."
Each issue of working@yale.edu will highlight a particular service area. The debut issue, for example, will focus on a new component for Training and Organizational Development in the Department of Human Resource Services. The newsletter will also provide information about the many changes taking place in the department's central administrative space at 155 Whitney Ave., including office relocations, improved access for people with disabilities and new signage. In addition to workplace news, the publication will "illuminate the many diverse Yale people doing interesting things, working in the community, pursuing passionate avocations," says Mr. Vallone. "After all, the human resource is conceivably our greatest resource, and Yale University is indeed fortunate to have many unique and very talented employees within its workforce."
Also included in working@yale.edu will be a special pull-out section titled "Save This Stuff," which will include job- and benefits-related information for Yale employees and will be formatted for handy reference and storage. This section will feature a regular column titled "Project X-Files" on the campus-wide initiative to modernize Yale's financial and human resource systems, as well as "Benefits Briefings," "Training This Month" and "Library Notes."
"As we at Yale University re-engineer for the coming new century," says Mr. Vallone, "it is our intent that this publication be a leading effort in the larger plan to create thoughtful discussion and clear communication about Human Resource Services and the exciting, challenging times ahead for all of us working@yale.edu."