Sexual Harassment Policy Updated, Medical Plan Change Deadline Nears and More HR News
March 18, 2014
UC Issues Updated Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence Policy
The Office of the President issued a new policy that prohibits sexual harassment and sexual violence, provides support for victims and outlines training for faculty and staff members and students.
The policy builds on the university’s sexual harassment policy and conforms to requirements in the federal Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), which President Barack Obama signed into law last spring.
In order to reflect those changes and incorporate best practices, UC Merced’s Protocol for Claims of Sexual Harassment has been revised.
The new protocol is an interim measure, so there will be an opportunity for faculty and staff members and students to comment and provide input before it becomes final. The protocol is available online and campus community members are encouraged to take a few minutes to review it.
UC Merced will offer training during orientation for incoming students and new faculty and staff members. In addition, information sessions to provide details on the new Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Policy and interim protocol, and answer any general inquiries attendees have about this topic, will be scheduled during the summer.
Any questions or concerns about the interim protocol should be directed to Wendy Smith, UC Merced’s director of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action, Title IX and accommodations management, at ext. 4620.
Last Chance to Make Medical Plan Change
If you were enrolled in the wrong medical plan for 2014, you still have time to talk to the Human Resources benefits office about making a change. The UC made significant changes to its medical plan offerings for 2014, and some faculty and staff members who didn’t make choices during Open Enrollment might have been defaulted to a plan they don't want. Or, maybe you learned more about one of the plans and want to change your selection.
Even if you've already used medical services in 2014, there could be an option to correct your enrollment retroactively. If you think you are enrolled in the wrong plan, contact Leticia Aldama in HR by March 31. You can reach her by email or at ext. 2348. Remember: The option to make a change applies only to medical plan benefits.
Update: Systemwide Learning Management System
A cross-functional work group has formed to gather requirements and evaluate vendors during a Request for Proposal (RPF) process for a systemwide Learning Management System (LMS). The LMS will continue to provide learning and development opportunities for staff and faculty members, while also adding limited compliance training for students and other non-employees.
Professional Development Workshops
Below are upcoming professional development courses in March and April:
- March 25 – Supervising According to Union Contracts
- March 26 – Communication and Influence
- March 25 – Supervising According to Union Contracts
- March 26 – Communication and Influence
- April 1 – Session 1: Crucial Conversations
- April 3 – Setting Performance Expectations (rescheduled from Feb. 18)
- April 9 – It Starts with You: Creating A Positive Attitude
- April 10 – Session 2: Crucial Conversations
- April 15 – Session 3: Crucial Conversations
- April 16 – Coaching to Improve Performance
- April 23 – EEO/Law for Supervisors
- April 29 – Conducting Performance Appraisals (rescheduled from March 20)
- April 30 – Conflict Management in the Workplace
The Crucial Conversations series teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialog around high-stakes, emotional or risky topics at all levels of an organization. By learning how to speak and be heard -- and encouraging others to do the same -- participants can unearth the best ideas, make the highest-quality decisions and then act on their decisions with unity and commitment.
To register:
- Log in to the UC Learning Center using your UC Merced Net ID.
- Search for training by name in the search bar on the left of your screen.
- Select the course you are interested in, click “register” to see offerings, schedule and location details.
- Check the box next to the class that fits your needs and click “submit” to register.
For more information, email hrtraining@ucmerced.edu or call ext. 8247.
New Employee Orientation, Resources
The next new employee orientation is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 4 in KL 232. For more information, visit the new employee orientation webpage.
The first few weeks in a new job can be challenging. To ease the stress of settling in, Human Resources has compiled a list of resources to assist new employees in acclimating to the university. Whether you are new to UC Merced or in a position of supervising others, you will find value in this tool.
UC President Napolitano Mentions Career Tracks
UC President Janet Napolitano recently mentioned Career Tracks as a program already in place at UC Merced, UC Berkeley and the Office of the President. Additionally, Agriculture and Natural Resources has also chosen to implement Career Tracks. Berkeley’s program is called Career Compass, but all other UC institutions will call their program Career Tracks, the name of UC Merced’s initiative.
