Have your say

By Carla Ferreira Rodrigues, Director Human Resources

Today, the university launched a campus-wide Employee Experiences Survey. This represents a key goal of the new university strategy to address organizational culture. This will serve as a baseline metric for all future initiatives aimed at improving the employee experience. 

It’s been more than 10 years since an engagement survey has been deployed at Queen’s. Metrics@Work has been retained to administer the survey and has extensive experience with higher education that will allow Queen’s to benchmark themselves with other universities across Ontario.  

This survey will measure engagement with your role, team, department/faculty, and Queen’s University overall with a focus on diverse themes including work environment, communications, opportunities for professional growth, health and wellness, inclusion, respect, and more. 

The survey opened today and closes on May 13, 2022. All staff actively employed on April 14 will receive an email invitation from Metrics@Work with a unique survey link. The survey will take approximately 25 minutes to complete. Any employees on an unpaid leave of absence due to a parental or long-term disability leave, but would still like to participate, are encouraged to email Queen’s to receive a customized invitation. 

This is a confidential survey and Metrics@Work will hold all raw data/individual responses anonymous to Queen’s. Results will be provided to the broader Queen’s community in Fall 2022. After completing the survey, you will have the option to opt into a random prize draw. 

Your voice counts! Please share your valuable perspective to assist us in making the data more robust so we can make the right changes that help create a more positive workplace. This is your opportunity to have your say in the future organizational culture at Queen’s. 

Hybrid Pilot Q&A

With our Remote Work Arrangement (RWA) pilot now underway, please continue to share questions with your manager, ALT member or through Advancing Your Voice related to Building a Better Workplace and/or the RWA pilot program. Responses will be provided in the ALTogether Now newsletter.

Can I purchase an additional power cord, headset, etc., so I can leave mine at home and don’t have to pack it up?

Employees are expected to bring any work-related materials with them when working on campus as equipment will only be provisioned for one workstation. However, if you forget to bring something with you, contact the Advancement Service Desk to see if spare equipment is available for borrowing.

What building security measures are in place for Summerhill and Old Meds?

The following safety measures/guidelines are in place should you have any concerns:

• All staff should have the SeQure app on their phones to use in an emergency. Additionally:
• Dial 911 for life-threatening emergency response (police, fire and rescue, ambulance).
• Dial 613-533-6111 for on-campus emergency response.
• Dial 613-533-6080 For non-emergencies. If you are working alone in Summerhill and feel uncomfortable, inform Campus Security and Emergency Services (613-533-6080) where you are working, what time you expect to leave, and call them when you leave. Security can check on you.
• When you leave, consider calling the Walkhome Service (613-533-WALK) to your car or Campus Security (613-533-6080) to escort you across campus.
• Laptop locks are being ordered for each desk and each desk has a rolling file cabinet with lock for your personal belongs. Do not leave personal items unattended for any length of time.
• If you see someone acting in a suspicious manner, report it to Campus Security and Emergency Services by calling 613-533-6080 or by using one of the campus's emergency or security phones. This can discourage those who would violate the rights of others and yourself.
• Report all broken locks, windows, and doors to Fixit at 613-533-6000 ext. 77301.

Where is the room booking tool located?

The room booking tool is linked on QUIRC (located on the left-hand side toolbar, please sign into the Queen’s VPN to access).

How will managers keep track of employees completing their in-office quotas. For example, if the employees return-to-work agreement (RTW) indicates they must come into the office twice a week, how will that be tracked?

RWA terms and conditions that did not specify exact day(s) of the week employees are required to work on university premises allows managers and employees the flexibility to collaborate on selecting the optimal university premise workday(s) in support of operational requirements. Managers and employees are expected to have regular conversations regarding these expectations as outlined in their respective RWA agreements. Ensure space bookings in Summerhill are made well in advance to avoid disappointment as this will be provided on a first-come basis. 

Performance reviews: It’s almost that time of year! 

New to Advancement or just wanting a refresher on the Performance Dialogue Process (PDP) before going into your annual performance review? Additional resources are available on the Human Resources Intranet, including a complete PDP Guide for QMPG managers and employees. PDP training is also available for managers through the HR Learning Catalogue. An upcoming webinar is being offered on April 29, 2022. 

Employee spotlight

The Employee Spotlight celebrates the arrival of our new and existing staff by profiling responses they share through a fun and informal survey that will help us get to know them better. Be sure to review these profiles and use these fun facts and tidbits to find commonalities, embrace differences, and spark a conversation. 
This week’s feature includes:

Bradley Woronuk is in the position of Associate Director, Regional Strategy. Learn more about Bradley and his favourite family tradition.

Alicia Mora is in the position of Toronto Officer, Toronto Strategy. Learn more about Alicia and what fictional family she would like to be a part of.

Jobs with Advancement

We need your recruitment help. Know great talent that would be a good addition to our team? If so, please promote the vacancies below with your networks and let’s find some amazing new team members.

Applications (including a cover letter and résumé) must be submitted through CareerQ. For additional information on this posting, please reach out to either Carla Ferreira Rodrigues or the hiring manager for the position you are interested in.