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Human Resources

Course Descriptions

Accommodating Disabilities in the Workplace

This training session addresses the legal rights and responsibilities of CWU employees with disabilities and their supervisors/managers. Presenters will provide participants with advice on appropriate disability-related language and recommendations for best practices. In addition, participants will learn about established procedures and requisite paperwork for CWU employees with disabilities who wish to initiate the accommodation process.

Presenters will use case studies to illustrate 1) common errors made by supervisors, 2) how some problems can be avoided, 3) why accommodating disabilities is a process not an event and, and what is a reasonable accommodation.

Accommodating Disabilities in the Workplace: Advanced

This workshop is recommended for supervisors/managers who have experienced difficulty accommodating employees with disabilities and/or who are currently struggling with employment-related disability issues. Presenters will use case studies to illustrate, 1) common errors made by supervisors, 2) how some problems can be avoided, 3) why accommodating disabilities is a process not an event and 4) what is a reasonable accommodation.

Presenters will use case studies to illustrate 1) common errors made by supervisors, 2) how some problems can be avoided, 3) why accommodating disabilities is a process not an event and, and what is a reasonable accommodation.

Accounts Payable and Budget Workshop

 


Compensation Policy and Classification Process

Are you in a position to hire or recommend the hire of civil service or exempt employees? Do you ever wonder what salary to offer to a new hire or following a promotion? Attend the new compensation training offered by HR to find out the answers to these and other compensation-related questions.


Cooperative Problem Solving Workshop

This is a 5-week, 15-hour experiential class designed to help faculty and staff understand and practice the Cooperative Problem Solving model for managing conflict. The Cooperative Problem Solving process focuses on encouraging mutual agreements and developing positive relationships. Each workshop session is co-facilitated by a member of the Dispute Resolution Consultation and Training team of CWU.

The workshop is highly interactive and addresses:

  • treating conflict as a natural resource
  • how to attack problems while respecting people
  • raising an issue in a constructive manner
  • exploring opposing positions to discover shared interests
  • understanding individual and cultural perceptions
  • generating options to address all everyone's needs
  • crafting clear and healthy solutions
  • managing emotions
  • insuring two-way communication
  • choosing when to use a cooperative approach
  • being a peacemaker while resolving conflicts

Creating Your I-Plan (Series of 2)

 

This 2-session class was developed by members of the Exempt Employees Association Professional Development Committee. Content includes:
  • career assessments that will assist you in exploring values, interests and personality types,
  • information about and assistance with creating a professional development plan, and
  • suggestions about how to implement that plan.
It is hoped that a by-product of this calss is that exempt employees will begin to establish support relationships and/or networks with each other. This is a 4 hour class, presented in two parts. In order to receive credit for the course, both classes must be attended

Creative Conflict Communication

Understanding and responding constructively to interpersonal and organizational conflict is essential. Many people in organizations respond to conflict by trying to avoid it, or by being frustrated because they do not know what to do with either the emotions or content driving the conflict. Ineffective conflict management is time-consuming, costing organizations money and productivity.


Deciding Between Public Employees' Retirement Systems (PERS) 2 and 3 - Classified Staff

For new PERS members within the 90-day choice period (Also useful for longer-term employees considering changing plans during the annual open transfer period in January.).


Developing an Effective Position Description

Performance Management Begins With Current Position Descriptions. A position description is a statement of the principal duties and functions of the position and scope of the authority and responsibility related to that position.

During this program you will discuss:

  • how to write an effective position description
  • components of a position description
  • the position description worksheet
  • how to define duties, essential functions and competencies

DRS Retirement Planning Saturday Workshop - Classified Staff

NOTE: These sessions are held on Saturdays at various locations around the state and typically come to Ellensburg once annually.

Seminars: Saturdays

These seminars provide a very detailed view of your retirement plan including topics such as financial and estate planning, health insurance, Voluntary Employees' Benefits Association (VEBA), and Social Security. NOTE: The Seminars also include the Workshop information.

Workshops: Saturdays

These workshops explain your rights and benefits. The workshops cover such topics as service credit, retirement eligibility, benefit calculations, payment options, and other plan specific information.


Emergency Preparedness Planning and Responding to a Hostile Intruder

Have you ever thought about how you would react if a hostile intruder were to enter your office or classroom? Although the potential for such an event at CWU has been mitigated through a multitude of proactive preventative security measures, no University in the country is 100% secure. The Emergency Preparedness Planning and Responding to a Hostile Intruder two-hour workshop is designed to provide all faculty and staff more awareness of CWU's response capabilities and answer questions about what you should do in an emergency.

The workshop incorporates CWU's Emergency Plan, and the police and community response to a hostile intruder. This workshop will also give you a wealth of information about safety on campus, personal safety techniques, and other important information. Per the President's Advisory Council - approved Training and Development Policy 2-2.75 (9) 3, all faculty and staff must attend this workshop.


e-PAF 101

This course is required for all ePAF originators. It will cover navigating the system and looking up an ePAF that has been complete or is in process. Also, generating a new ePAF for temp/hourly employees.


e-PAF 201

This course is required for originators who will generate ePAFs for faculty and staff. It will also cover advanced navigation and the approval process (what your boss needs to know).


Ethics: Making the Right Decisions

The state ethics law applies to staff, supervisors, and family members depending on the situation and circumstance. The law has set ethical standards of behavior for state employees with the expectation that employees will adhere to these standards. This law requires continued ethics training and reminders to assist everyone in applying ethical principles and guidelines.

By the end of this program you will:
  • Understand the State Ethics Law and its application
  • Identify and discuss the ethical principles and values inspiring the rules
  • Clarify roles and responsibility regarding ethical behavior
  • Provide guidance in applying ethical standards to work place situations

Financial Planning for Retirement - Classified Staff

For all PERS, TRS and LEOFF members (It is never too early to start planning for a financially secure retirement.)

  • Understand your retirement plan rules and features, including retirement eligibility, payment options and spousal benefits, cost of living adjustment, and disability benefits
  • Learn how to estimate your future retirement income from both Social Security and your PERS, TRS or LEOFF plan
  • Determine whether your estimated retirement income is likely to meet to your financial needs in retirement
  • If there is likely a shortfall, calculate how much you will need to either delay retirement, or contribute to an optional retirement savings plan
  • Develop an action plan

Financial Planning for Retirement - Faculty/Exempt Staff

For all members of the CWU Retirement Plan (CWURP) for Faculty and Administrators (It is never too early to start planning for a financially secure retirement.)

This interactive workshop is designed to help you:
  • estimate your future retirement income based on your current account balance, saving rate, and investment portfolio
  • assess whether that income, along with Social Security is likely to meet your retirement income needs
  • and, if there is a likely shortfall, determine how much you may need to delay your retirement or increase your savings to reach your retirement goals

Finding the Do Behind the Don't

Most of us know what we don't want to be happening - this class helps us discover what we Do want - and need - and provides tools for requesting that from another.


Foundations of Effective Supervision

Each day, as our workforce becomes more diverse and the rush for quality continues, supervisory training becomes more critical. Today's supervisors must understand and accept the new expectations of the workplace. Day in and day out, no one has more direct control over those who do the work of the organization than the "front-line" supervisor. No one has more immediate impact on production levels or quality of performance, yet too often supervisors fail to receive all the training they need to carry out their important work.

By the end of this program you will learn:
  • How to communicate the importance of high-performance supervision
  • Identify the basics of supervision
  • Describe challenges facing new supervisors
  • Provide strategies for dealing with these challenges
  • Help supervisors develop a support network

Handling Conflict and Difficult Situations

A class specific to understanding and interpreting the CWU Domestic Violence Policy, domestic violence in the workplace and handling difficult situations. An excellent class for supervisors.


Identity and Unconscious Bias (Series of 2)

Why do you feel close to some people almost immediately upon meeting them? Why do you work harder for some bosses or co-workers than others? We hear the word “diversity” all the time! It encompasses all of the ways that people are similar and different. And yet, the answer to these questions begins with the individual, with personal characteristics, style, and other internal dimensions. Each of us is unique. Yet, we also don’t live and work in a closed environment. Our context or environment also has an affect on the ways we interact. This class will encourage discussion about differences and similarities within our communities. We’ll explore a couple of different models toward understanding identity and diversity and we’ll do some exercises aimed at understanding unconscious bias. This is a 3 hour class, presented in two parts. In order to receive credit for the course, both classes must be attended.


Informal Mediation Skills for Staff and Faculty

Would you like to learn more about being a peacemaker? Would you like to learn how to assist others through a conflict? A new workshop from the Ombuds Office, this training for CWU staff and faculty presents a direct, concise method for assisting others through disputes. Less structured than formal mediations, this technique gives you a way to help people understand and hear what's important to each of them, and strategize ways to move forward. Develop your peacekeeping skills through the theory and practice sessions in this class. If you'd like more information, please call Donna Kramer at x1466.


Investment Choices for Retirement Savings - Faculty/Exempt Staff

For all URP members of the CWU Retirement Plan (CWURP) for Faculty and Administrators (It is never too early to start planning for a financially secure retirement.)

Is your retirement savings invested in the most appropriate funds to meet your retirement goals and match your personal risk tolerance? This workshop will provide you with the basic tools to build a retirement savings portfolio that best suits your needs, addressing:
  • The investment options available under your retirement plans
  • Steps and basic financial concepts in making asset allocation decisions
  • Risk tolerance and potential for return
  • Dollar cost averaging and the dangers of market timing
  • Links to web based resources

Just Cause: Providing Corrective Feedback

Often the most important work a supervisor or manager performs is in one-to-one discussions with 'problem' employees. These sessions are often concerned with resolving performance problems and/or conflict. Successful resolution of these situations can increase productivity, improve morale, reduce employee turnover and avoid grievances. Giving feedback to employees about their performance and behavior is one of a supervisor's basic tasks. Feedback is necessary for motivating and coaching employees, conducting performance appraisals, administering discipline, and being an effective mentor. Feedback also helps employees grow, develop, and correct mistakes.

By the end of this class you will have learned:
  • The necessary components of a disciplinary system
  • The definition and application of "due process"
  • How to apply appropriate corrective action
  • What can go wrong and how to prevent it from happening
  • How to use discipline and corrective action as supervisory tools to enhance staff performance
  • The importance of documentation

Labor Relations Practices and Process

As a supervisor or manager, you will interact with represented and non-represented employees. This program provides an overview of Labor Relations, identifies typical union activities you may be involved in, and shares best practices to maintain a positive working environment.

During this class you will gain knowledge of:

  • the role of Unions.
  • collective bargaining rights and employee rights.
  • the do's and don'ts of supervising in a Union environment.
  • the common processes: certifications, bargaining, grievances.
  • Unfair Labor Practices (ULP).

Name the Blame

Ever find yourself thinking, 'If only he/she wouldn't be that way - - my life would be better?' Using blame statements as a starting point, this class helps you discover why you're being triggered, what's important to you, and how to break the cycle of blame.


New Employee Orientation

The CWU New Employee Orientation is designed to welcome new staff, share information on services, benefits, and programs, and assist with your transition within the CWU community. This 2-hour program is mandatory for all new staff and is held the first Thursday of each month.


Performance Management: PDP

Performance management reminds us that being busy is not the same as producing results. It reminds us that training, strong commitment and lots of hard work alone is not results. The major contribution of performance management is its focus on achieving results - useful products and services for customers inside and outside the organization. One of your most important roles as a supervisor is to assess the performance of your staff and to support their professional growth and development.

In today's fast-changing organization, the need for an effective and meaningful performance management system is mandatory. The increasing legal and human implications of such a system are becoming quite evident. A good performance management system is one of the most powerful managerial tools available. A well-designed and implemented system will assist in preparing job descriptions, succession planning, as well as individual identification of employee skills and talents.

By the end of this session you will be able to:
  • Implement the performance management cycle with your staff.
  • Develop job performance expectations which include duties, goals, and standards.
  • Maintain positive communication about work performance through dialogue, documentation, and feedback
  • Understand the Performance and Development Plan process
  • Prepare a formal PDP meeting that encourages an exchange of ideas and produces positive results

Positive Time Reporting

If you are an overtime eligible civil service employee, this training is for you! Timekeepers and supervisors are also encouraged to attend. Completing the Positive Time Report (PTR) is required by the University for reporting your hours worked. Human Resources will provide you with the resources to complete the PTR and answer questions that you may have. This training will include an overview of the Fair Labor Standards Act and an explanation on the use of the forms and procedures for processing forms.


Preventing Employment Discrimination

Supervisors play a major role in establishing and maintaining a work environment that is free from illegal discrimination. During this interactive workshop participants will review the university's nondiscrimination policies and learn how to translate policy into practice by examining and discussing a series of real-world scenarios. The supervisor's responsibilities regarding employee rights and the complaint process will be emphasized.

  • Which groups are protected from employment discrimination at CWU
  • How discrimination can impact supervisory decision-making and how to avoid bias
  • How to identify and address discriminatory or harassing behaviors among co-workers
  • How to counsel employees who wish to file a complaint

Preventing Sexual Harassment

While sexual harassment has commanded much of the media's attention, inappropriate behavior at work goes far beyond gender issues. Everyone has the right to be treated fairly at work and not to be made to feel uncomfortable there. Managing the workplace to either minimize or eliminate inappropriate workplace behaviors is not an easy chore. But it is a chore we should all take seriously and practice reverently. Consequently, the first step begins with each of us.

What distinguishes this class from others is its positive message. It is not about pointing fingers and assigning blame-we all share responsibility for preventing and stopping inappropriate workplace behavior. It isn't an easy task. Working together, however, we can make great progress towards creating workplaces where all staff and faculty feel safe, valued, and free to do their best work. In addition to the objectives learned from the one-hour Preventing Inappropriate Workplace Behavior class, this program will help employees:

  • develop a clear understanding of what inappropriate workplace behavior is and how it affects others, regardless of the intent.
  • identify types of harassment including sexual harassment.
  • understand the costs associated with harassing or inappropriate workplace behavior.
  • explore the responsibility to help maintain a work environment free of harassment.
  • learn how to correct inappropriate workplace behavior.

Receiving Retirement Income from Your Retirement Savings - Faculty/Exempt Staff

For URP members within five years of retirement. As you move from saving for retirement to receiving income during retirement, there are a number of important considerations.

  • Income options during retirement
  • Post retirement asset allocation
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Keeping pace with inflation during retirement
  • Providing for future flexibility
  • Insuring retirement income will last as long as you do
  • Providing income for a surviving spouse or beneficiary

Recruitment and Selection Process

As a supervisor, you are responsible for the "staffing" function of your organization. The Human Resources Department understands the value of the investment put into the selection and hiring process. To ease the recruitment experience, the entire recruitment cycle has been reorganized into six phases. Each of the phases defines the role of the recruitment specialist, the search committee and the hiring department. In addition to defining roles, applicable policies, forms, and guidelines to each step will be discussed to ensure efficiency and quality throughout the process.

By the end of this session you will be able to:
  • Know key actions when a vacancy occurs or when a new position is created
  • Know how to evaluate and define the position
  • Understand and effectively use the PeopleAdmin system
  • Understand the role of the HR Recruitment Specialist in assisting you with your recruitment marketing plan
  • Effectively use various resources during the selection process
  • Effectively use the hiring process and orientation

Speaking to be Heard, Listening to Understand (Series of 3)

This class focuses on the concepts and skills of self-accountable, non-blaming language. Explore and practice skills for speaking in a way that others are less likely to respond with defensiveness - - and skills for listening for meaning behind what appear to be intimidating messages from others.

Based on the principles of Nonviolent Communication, this workshop is presented in three parts - total class time 6 hours. The class is open, at no charge, to all CWU staff & faculty.


Supervising in an Academic Environment

As a department chair you wear many hats when running your department. In an ongoing effort to provide relevant information to help you with these responsibilities Human Resources has put together a training session that will address various areas.

Following are the areas that will be addressed:
  • Directing and supervising employees
  • Recruiting staff
  • Compensation administration for civil service and exempt staff
  • Documentation of hours worked and leave taken
  • Workforce enrichment
  • Performance improvement
  • Conflict resolution
  • Labor relations

Supplemental Retirement Savings Options

 

This workshop is designed to help you:

  • Understand the optional retirement savings plans available to you
  • Learn about investment choices that best suit your retirement savings needs and risk tolerance
  • Enroll in or increase your optional retirement savings
  • Learn concepts in making asset allocation decisions
  • Better understand risk tolerance and potential for return
  • Obtain links to web based resources

Timekeeping Rules and Procedures

Twice a month, timekeepers and supervisors deal with employee work hours and/or leave issues and must have the ability to determine what is the correct policy or procedure and where to find the correct information regarding a certain question. The CWU timekeeper training is designed to provide resources to timekeepers and supervisors on issues pertaining to reporting time, positive time reporting process, employee leave information, payroll processes, student employment and internal controls. This 3-hour program will answer specific questions relating to timekeeping procedures; all timekeepers and supervisors are encouraged to attend.