The new year is bringing with it many changes to the HR world at Berkeley and in the UC as a result of the creation of HR shared services centers at the campus and systemwide levels, and the implementation of new payroll and HR information systems. Whereas a year ago campus central HR staff were deep in the work of assisting campus leaders expand spans of control and reduce layers, effectively redefining the role of a manager, this year portends to be one of redesign of business processes and restructuring.
In anticipation of the transformational change ahead, we took senior leadership through an eight-month leadership development program last year in partnership with the Haas School of Business. Notable Haas faculty led discussions, simulations, and role playing activities in everything from strategic planning to delivery and presentation skills. This year we are rolling out a comprehensive 360 feedback program to senior leaders and their managers to further enhance the development of key leadership skills. Once they have experience with the program, it will be cascaded out further to other managers.
To prepare our staff for future opportunities, we are making business related courses available to non-represented staff through University Extension. Staff may sign up for courses specifically selected to enhance skills that we anticipate will be needed for campus jobs in the future.
HR leads the CalTime project, the implementation of Kronos campuswide. Automating our timekeeping processes will move us off of paper and onto a web-based solution for a very basic business need. Work over the last few months has revealed the complexities of our manual, decentralized world. Teams are already out in departments developing a mutual understanding of the magnitude of change for each unit. Our goal continues to be increased standardization and efficiency.
The central HR offices will experience change first hand when we move from the Power Bar building back to University Hall later this year. In preparation, we are imaging as much paper as possible and experimenting with electronic document storage. Also part of the change is a transition from individual offices to cubes and pods, paying attention to the need for confidential space and individual needs for quiet work areas.
2012…in the lead…exploring new options…building a new future!