Human Resources
January 2005
HR Advisory Group -
Meeting Minutes
Absent:
B. Rusch; B. Carr; L. McIlyar
Scribe: Jim
Ables, Office of Human Resources
Date:
Subj:
HR Advisory Group Meeting Minutes - January Meeting
Cc:
Seth Patton; Bill
Acklin
New Items
2. Snow/Emergency
Closing/Early - Concern was brought to the group that most staff
could go home and receive pay on December 27 due to an early closing at
Additionally, there
were many staff members that worked many long days during the recent winter
storm to deal with its consequences and keep the university operational and
safe. The administration will recognize these employees in a special way
for the sacrifice they made during this difficult time.
3. Flextime
Policy - Question arose about the flextime policy and how it works in
various departments. There was a concern expressed by an employee that
she did not receive the type of flex arrangement she was hoping for.
Basically, we have a flextime policy that allows, with supervisor's approval,
an employee to change or flex his/her start time and change or flex his/her end
time. The policy expressly indicates that there are some departments or
positions that flextime will not work for. The concern expressed at the
meeting involved a situation where flextime was given but not in the manner
preferred by the employee. It was suggested by the group that the
employee work with his/her supervisor regarding the arrangement. It may
be that this is the best that could be done. The employee could also
choose to have Human Resources assist in reviewing the request with supervision
to jointly answer any questions or solve any problems. Lastly, we do have
a formal complaint procedure which could be used as well.
4. Wellness
Program and Physical Plant Staff - A concern was expressed that the times
that many of the wellness programs are held, such as Pilates and circuit
training, are not good times for physical plant staff. Apparently, it
does not coincide with their lunch time and/or they cannot adjust their lunch
to attend. Many staff are working during the early morning programs.
The group discussed
that there are alternatives to the programs that are held early morning and
during lunch. Also, there are limitations to when programs can be held in
Mitchell because of athletic team and club activities. This is one reason
why late afternoon programs cannot be held. Stephanie Agosta, Wellness
Coordinator, is available to meet with any staff member who needs assistance in
designing a workout schedule. She will meet one-on-one with staff to
assist them in a program. Also, fitness evaluations are periodically
scheduled at different times during the day and are a good assessment tool for
staff. A fitness challenge will also be coming soon and staff do not have
to be involved in "class programs" to participate.
Communications on this program should be coming out over the next few weeks.
This is a great way for any staff member to become involved in wellness
activities. So, there are ways for staff to become involved even if they
cannot make the few programs that meet at specific times.
5. Time
Sheet Issue - Question arose about a staff member who may be putting hours
on a time sheet that are not accurate and are getting paid for hours not
worked. Any concern regarding time sheets should be brought to the
employee's immediate supervisor for review or to Human Resources.
6. Security
Monitor Proposal - Concern brought up about a proposal that has gone to the
Personnel Committee. The proposal is to collapse two part-time security
monitor positions and create one full-time security monitor position. The
concern is that the security monitor may end up performing the duties of an
officer instead and at the lower rate of pay of a security monitor. Jim
Ables commented that this is not the intent of the proposal and that Denison
would not have a security monitor who is not trained to do an officer job perform
that job and at a lower rate of pay. Regardless, it was suggested that if
anyone from security is concerned about the proposal that they can contact
Diane Pyle who is the support staff representative on the Personnel
Committee. It will be discussed at this committee soon.
It was also discussed
that during the holidays, a monitor temporarily filled in for an officer and
there was some concern expressed about that. However, this was a
temporary fill in situation and a senior member of the security & safety
staff was scheduled to be working at the same time.
Updates
1.Newsletter - Human Resources will attempt to reignite
the HR Newsletter. More to follow.