UWM Best Place to Work
Progress Report
Academic Staff Senate
Mark A. Mone, PhD
January 8, 2013
BP2W: Our Focus….
• Campus vision and Chancellor Lovell’s
charge: …become a top-tier research
university and best place to learn and work.
• …foster a climate that better attracts, retains,
and develops all employees and students.
Guiding Principles--Highlights
• Structured approach to small number of high
priority initiatives, pacing subsequent work
• Highly communicative
• Existing administrative and governance
structures, roles and responsibilities
Guiding Principles--Highlights
• Structured approach to small number of high
priority initiatives, pacing subsequent work
• Highly communicative
• Existing administrative and governance
structures, roles and responsibilities
Structured Action Planning
For each Climate Initiative, we are developing:
•
•
•
•
Actions necessary to implement
Time frame for action
Person(s) or area(s) responsible
Assessment (metrics and how to evaluate
progress?)
• Resources required
• How climate is affected by this initiative
Guiding Principles--Highlights
• Structured approach to small number of high
priority initiatives, pacing subsequent work
• Highly communicative
• Existing administrative and governance
structures, roles and responsibilities
Best Place to Work
Communication Plan
Purpose
To generate campus awareness and
support for Best Place to Work (BP2W)
initiatives, to foster BP2W adoption and
ownership by all levels of campus
leadership, and to encourage independent
actions aligned with the spirit of BP2W.
Communication Components
I. Events (benefits fairs, road shows)
II. Leadership communications
III. Materials
IV. HR linkages
V. Groups
VI. Merchandise
I. Events
• Promote BP2W at existing events such as
– UWM Day at the Zoo
– The Academic Staff picnic
– Benefits and wellness fairs (mobilize event
planners to include a BP2W element to
related events)
• Schedule new BP2W events such as lectures and
workshops related to BP2W initiatives.
• Identify BP2W Ambassadors who can attend BP2W
events and be resources for more information
(provide them with flyers, postcards, etc.)
II. Leadership Communications
Achieve consistent messaging on BP2W and foster
accountability for BP2W across all levels of campus
leadership.
• Develop BP2W talking points for Chancellor’s Cabinet
• Discuss how campus leaders (including Vice
Chancellors, Deans, Department Chairpersons,
Division Heads, Directors, and Supervisors) can
model BP2W through their actions
• Discuss how campus leaders can promote BP2W in
their units
• Highlight at leadership retreats prior to start of
semester (August Deans Retreat, Chairpersons
Retreat, etc.)
III. Materials
• Promote BP2W across campus media outlets, including
– UWM Report
– University Announcements
– Social media
– School/college newsletters
– Electronic bulletin boards
• Develop BP2W materials, including brochure/flyer, postcard and
media kit for University Marketing Committee
• Use BOR display posters, located in various places on campus
• Design a BP2W jpeg image that can be used to identify
websites & documents generated as a result of a BP2W
initiative
• Add a ‘Related Events’ section to the BP2W website
IV. Human Resources
Incorporate BP2W into HR practices, communications, and
events.
• Promote BP2W at existing events such as Benefits fair
• Add BP2W links, content on HR website
• Work with MyDev to promote BP2W at new employee
on-boarding/orientation
V. Groups
Involve campus groups in promoting awareness & adoption
of BP2W initiatives.
• Starter list of groups to involve:
ADC
Faculty & Academic Staff Senates
Chancellor’s Cabinet
Academic Staff Economic Benefits Subcommittee
UBRs/PREPS (develop a kit with resources aimed at
this key group)
University Marketing Committee (also produce a
tailored media kit)
WHEEL
Department Chairs
VI. Merchandise
Produce BP2W items to signify connection to BP2W and
recognition of BP2W Champions.
•
Possible items to include
– Pins
– Cups
– Hats
– Pens
– T-shirts
Guiding Principles--Highlights
• Structured approach to small number of high
priority initiatives, pacing subsequent work
• Highly communicative
• Existing administrative and governance
structures, roles and responsibilities
Closing Comments & Critique
• Relative to last WHHEL presentation, marked
progress—see BP2W website (remarkable
efforts by our dedicated colleagues)
• Much room to go, per August 2012 survey
results, resource discussions, website
buttons….
• Creating “sideline behavior”…vs. what we all
can do: “Ask not what BP2W can do for
you….”
What We as Leaders Can Do
• Quick Wins and BP2W Champions—website
buttons soon to go “Live”
• Examine initiatives and resources available
on BP2W website—and survey results
• Ask and engage your area: What can I or we
do to enhance the climate?
Comments and Questions