The high demands and increased expectations of the modern workplace can contribute to elevated stress levels. To help staff members cope with stress in positive ways, Queen’s Human Resources Department has developed two new workshops for 2014-15.

“The workshops are in line with modern wellness programs where the focus is to change the way people approach challenges,” says Corey Scott, who recently joined Human Resources as the training co-ordinator. “More and more employees need these skills to enhance their professional and personal lives.”

The first workshop, offered this December, teaches participants how to increase personal resilience in the face of difficulties. The Personal Resilience workshop will make participants aware of their thought processes and encourage them to alter their thinking in order to achieve a positive outcome.

Focusing on the positive is also the theme of the second workshop offered in April. Participants will learn to identify their character strengths and how to use them every day in order to flourish in their work and home life.

“Both workshops really involve stepping back and looking at the situation in a different way. It’s about developing lifelong skills to help you come up with creative and practical solutions to challenges,” Mr. Scott adds.

The HR training co-ordinator says the two new workshops complement and enhance the other courses in the 2014-15 HR Learning Catalogue. HR will also offer workshops that improve performance management and annual reviews from both the manager and employee perspective.

HR has also worked with Homewood, the new provider for the university’s Employee and Family Assistance Program, to expand its lunch and learn sessions. Some of the new classes include:

• The Fundamentals of Change and Transition
• Stress Busters II: Mini-Retreat Solutions
• The Emotional Effects of Retirement
• Foundations of Positive Parenting
• The Journey to Wellness: One Step at a Time

Visit the HR learning catalogue to view the offerings and sign up for the workshops.