Human Resources News, Training

Staff Comments Sought for Proposed Policy for Nursing Mothers

The Office of Human Resources is seeking staff feedback on a policy that affects nursing mothers. The university proposes to establish Staff Policy 84 Accommodations for Nursing Mothers.

Under the provisions of Staff Policy 84, the university will provide appropriate sanitary and private space for breastfeeding purposes in close proximity to the nursing mother’s work area. The university also will provide a reasonable amount of time for lactation breaks.

The proposed policy is accessible online, too. 

Employees covered by this policy who wish to provide comments may submit them to Human Resources at hr@ucmerced.edu by Friday, Feb. 22. The university recognizes the importance and benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and their infants and welcomes your input regarding this policy.

Fidelity Investment Guidance Consultant at UC Merced

Sign up for a chance to speak with a Fidelity Investments planning and guidance consultant beginning at 8 a.m. Feb. 19. The consultant will meet one-on-one with faculty and staff to review retirement savings plans or discuss other financial goals. Sessions are 45 minutes and are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment online:

1. Go to getguidance.fidelity.com/universityofcalifornia.
2. Click the button for "one-on-one consultations."
3. Select the "University of California" link and choose your location from the drop-down list.

To schedule an appointment by phone, call 800-558-9182. 

ReadyTalk Training, Feb. 21

Human Resources is partnering with Information Technology to offer a ReadyTalk webinar on Thursday, Feb. 21, for UC Merced employees to learn additional ReadyTalk capabilities and services. Please join UC Merced’s ReadyTalk account manager Kim Morse for in depth training on ReadyTalk’s services. In this session you will learn how to:

• Login for your meeting
• Schedule and send out meeting notices
• Take control of your audio conference experience
• Share real time content such as an agenda, slide presentation or proposal
• Engage your attendees through polls and chat
• Record your meeting and share recorded content
• Access meeting reports

Register online for the webinar. 

Management Skills Assessment Program (MSAP) 2013

The University of California Management Skills Assessment Program (MSAP) is a unique four-day residential program designed to assess skills in the context of complexities facing UC managers. The 2013 MSAP program, to be held at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, is scheduled as follows:

• Assessors,  April 29 to May 3
• Assessees, April 30 to May 3

MSAP offers participants insights into their managerial competencies and potential by providing feedback on critical skills for successful management at UC. Throughout the program, participants will experience several simulated management scenario exercises, give and receive objective behavioral feedback, discuss their own strengths and areas for growth, and begin plans to enhance management skills in their careers at UC.

UC Merced has been allocated five assessee slots and two assessor slots. Please note that managers and supervisors need to nominate MSAP participants. Applications must be submitted by noon March 8. Additional MSAP information and downloadable application forms are available online.

Questions regarding the upcoming MSAP workshop should be sent to hrtraining@ucmerced.edu.

February and March Training Schedule

• Feb. 20 – Building Skills for Leadership and Empowerment (career development)
• Feb. 20  – Recruiting and Hiring (supervisory certificate program)
• Feb. 21 – ReadyTalk Training for UC Merced; (register for this training only online )
• Feb. 28 – Setting Performance Expectations (supervisory certificate program)
• March  5 – Supervising According to Union Contracts (supervisory certificate program)
• March 6 – Conducting Performance Appraisals (supervisory certificate program)
• March  7 – Microsoft Excel Advanced (computer applications)
• March 13 – Stress Management (professional learning academy)

To register:

1. Log in to the UC Learning Center using your UC Merced Net ID.
2. Search for training by name in the search bar on the left of your screen.
3. Select the course you are interested in, click Register to see offerings, schedule and location details.
4. Check the box next to the class that fits your needs and click Submit to register.

For more information, contact hrtraining@ucmerced.edu or call 228-8247.

New Employee Orientation, Online Resources

The next new employee orientation is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 1 in KL 232. The next orientation is April 5. For more information, visit the new employee orientation page.

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 becoming acclimated to the university. Whether you are new to UC Merced or in a position of supervising others, you will find value in this new tool.

Contact HR

Human Resources is only a click, phone call or email away.