Workplace
Success Stories - Best Practices 2002
Recognition
Strategies for a Diverse Workforce
|
Practice
Name: Research for Staff Lecture Series |
Workplace
Issues Addressed: |
Description
of the practice
A
monthly lecture given by the college faculty on a specific research
project, which includes a segment of the presentation that specifically
& explicitly acknowledges employees who contributed to the success
of the professor's research. The talks are followed by an informal
luncheon hosted by the College and the two departments Chemistry and
Chemical Engineering.
Benefits
of adopting the practice
This
program brings together two diverse groups of employees (academic
and nonacademic) who can share in the excitement of their roles
and contributions toward the groundbreaking research that is being
developed within their college. Employees feel a sense of pride
in being part of the operation and are grateful to be acknowledged
for their contributions (especially as recognition is extended to
employees who would not usually be acknowledged). It builds stronger
bonds between academic and nonacademic employees, creates a greater
sense of community and supportive environment, and encourages more
detailed and explicit statements of appreciation. This program meets
the needs of a diverse workforce in the following ways: It is inclusive
(offices close early so all can attend); it acknowledges employees
who don't usually get recognized for their efforts; builds bonds
between two very diverse groups (academic and nonacademic).
How
this practice works
Three
years ago, senior management put together the plan; there was no
particular event that inspired this practice, just a general desire
to create something as a way of improving morale and bringing folks
from different classifications, job sites, and areas of expertise
together. Before this program there were few opportunities for staff
and faculty to come together, or for folks working in the basement
shops or in other buildings to meet employees in other parts of
the department/college. Also, not all faculty were explicit in stating
their appreciation of the staff support that made their research
possible.
What
you need in place to replicate this practice
1)
Support of upper mgt--Deans and their staff initiated and developed
the program, so it had management support from the start. 2) Resources
from discretionary funds--though the "potluck" component means one
need not have cash to serve lunch. 3) Asst Dean & the Dean's
Admin Asst handle all scheduling. 4) Buy-in from all segments of
staff and faculty--faculty present lectures, staff set up/clean
up lunch, etc.
Tangible
improvements to the department as a result of adopting this practice
Morale
has improved. Staff look forward to these events. Even former employees
come back to attend. Employees enjoy the opportunities to learn,
meet and socialize with people they wouldn't ordinarily come in
contact with, and hear about the contributions their co-workers
have made toward specific research projects. The chance to network
with others in same college but different departments/other buildings/locations
allows employees to feel more connected to the organization/less
isolation and gives a greater sense of pride. It also increases
learning/education for employees, as people hear about the cutting
edge research going on in the college.
Why
this practice was so successful and is worth replicating
1)
An employee writes: "Even the most routine tasks take on importance
and significance when they can be viewed as contributing to an exciting
outcome." 2) A faculty member writes: "I was happy to be able to
thank the staff, especially the shops, in such a public manner for
their invaluable work. I finally got to put some faces on some names!"
3) An employee writes: "The lecture and lunch series provides staff
with one of their very infrequent opportunities to take a brief
pause from the harried pace of providing behind-the-scenes technical
support to our researchers. The lecture presentation gives everyone
a chance to appreciate the context of their contributions toward
research and education. The question and answer segment of the presentation
provides a forum for interesting discussions on the topic."