Workplace
Success Stories - Best Practices 2002
Recognition
Strategies for a Diverse Workforce
| Practice Name: Staff
Initiated Activities |
Workplace
Issues Addressed: |
Description
of the practice
University
Health Service (UHS) supports groups who share common interests and
want to come together on a regular basis for specific activities.
Groups are open to any UHS employee and cut across the array of professions
at the Tang Center. Currently, there are two activities: An exercise
group and "Tangy Voces" a choral group.
Benefits
of adopting the practice
The
groups help cut across the array of professions at the Tang Center
(there are 8 different labor groups at UHS) and also help cut
through some of the hierarchy that is inherent with large organizations.
The organization and staff benefit from increased morale, better
health, and a heightened sense of community. It can sometimes
be difficult to develop a sense of community or belonging in a
large department and these groups help them do this in a very
different way. This practice meets the needs of a diverse workforce
in the following ways: There is employee input in the process.
The activities are inclusive--any employee can join.
How
this practice works
Leadership,
organizational support, management flexibility are needed. UHS
provides space in the Tang Center for these groups to get together.
The exercise group meets twice a week during the lunch hour. Participants
contribute $35 a semester to hire a fitness trainer; additional
funds are raised from a silent auction. The class uses open space
on the third floor atrium of the Tang Center; exercise mats and
equipment are stored in an empty corner on the same floor. Participants
use private offices or restrooms to change into exercise or work
attire. The choir practices weekly during the lunch hour and performs
at official UHS events, staff retirements, and other special occasions.
No prior singing experience is required. A retired music teacher
and voice coach (one of the UHS community volunteers) created
this group in 2000.
What
you need in place to replicate this practice
Organizational
values that support diversity. Top level management support.
Tangible
improvements to the department as a result of adopting this practice
An
employee writes: "Tangy Voces (the choir) is very important
to me. It is like having a massage in the middle of the day or
going to a good therapist for an hour. It has helped with interdepartmental
communication as I feel more at ease calling outside my department
knowing someone I've met in the group is there and will help me."
Another employee writes: ".I love to be able to take care
of myself and fit it into my workday. But most of all, I love
the networking and collegial support I get from my fellow exercisers."
Why this practice was so successful and is worth replicating:
The UHS administration whole-heartedly supports staff-initiated activities that bring together employees and contribute to making the Tang Center a better place to work. There are two groups, an exercise group and a choir (Tangy Voces). Both groups are open to any UHS staff member and provide an opportunity for people throughout the Tang Center, regardless of occupation or discipline to come together regularly and share common interests. Both groups are tightly knit,with some members gathering for dinner parties or shopping trips when not at work.