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A Message from Dr. Laurencin
I want to thank the Health Center family for the out-pouring of support I have received since my arrival on August 11th. The extraordinary welcome I have been given has reinforced my belief that this is an outstanding organization, one which I am honored and privileged to lead. Last week, I attended the PAWS Award Ceremony and was moved by the commitment to excellence exhibited by faculty and staff throughout the Health Center. Our students, patients and the people of Connecticut are fortunate beneficiaries of our excellence in education, care and research. I was delighted to meet hundreds of well wishers at the Welcoming Reception hosted by President Michael Hogan last month. I am extraordinarily grateful to President Hogan for his support and the confidence he has placed in me to work with each of you toward the fulfillment of the Health Center’s mission. Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend and share their expectations for the continued growth and success of the Health Center. Over the coming months I ask you to join me in the transformative work that lies ahead for the Health Center. In my brief time here I have already seen that the opportunities are many; we can and must transform the fundamentals of health care delivery, research and education not just regionally but for our state and for the nation. I look forward to working with each and every one of you to make the Health Center a place of individual and collective achievement. Thank you again for the genuine and warm welcome. Performance Appraisals
Since a performance appraisal should be the culmination of a process that has been ongoing during the entire year, the final outcome of the rating should come as no surprise to the employee. Setting interim meetings throughout the rating year provides an excellent opportunity for a supervisor to meet with an employee on an ongoing basis. The purpose is to provide feedback on how s/he is doing, offer constructive measures if needed, help the employee(s) to make mid-course corrections, set and review goals and expectations, and identify areas of excellence. The immediate supervisor should complete the performance appraisal. If you do not have frequent contact with the employee, you should consult with the individual who has the responsibility for the employee’s work. Comments and constructive suggestions for improvements should be a part of a well-documented rating. You should never add comments that are inconsistent and that you are unwilling to show in a rating category. Comments must always be an accurate reflection of the entire rating. There are several important questions that should be considered as the evaluator completes any service rating forms that may be unsatisfactory: Is the employee working within his/her job specifications? If so, is there proper documentation for as to when and how? Has the employee been given adequate training in order to perform his/her duties? Have performance problems been pointed out to the employee with suggestions on how improvement can be made? Has the employee been given sufficient time and opportunity to improve his/her performance? Is this an objective evaluation? An unsatisfactory evaluation must be reviewed by Labor Relations prior to being issued to an employee. The Labor Relations unit can be reached at 860-679-8067. When sitting down with an employee to conduct a performance appraisal, there are several factors that must be considered. It is essential to have the proper documentation fully completed with any appropriate attachments. A set amount of time should be provided with the employee to review the document. This meeting should be private with limited, if any, interruptions. Remember that reviewing the performance appraisal should be a two-way discussion. As a manager or a supervisor, you should be prepared to answer questions the employee may have at the time of the meeting. The performance appraisal should always be a complete, accurate and a well-documented assessment of an employee’s performance. Once the performance appraisal is signed by the employee, the original should be mailed to the Records Division of Human Resources at MC 4035. Human Resources is happy to assist you with the performance appraisal process. As a reminder, Classified performance appraisals are due in Human Resources by September 30, 2008.
We are 5,000 Strong - Let Your Voice Be Heard
Coming this Fall! Welcome New Students
Our staff is committed to helping you whenever possible. Please feel free to visit our Student Services Center website at http://studentservices.uchc.edu for further information related to the services we provide. You may also contact me at 860/679.8764 at any time if you have questions. Please be assured that our everyday goal is to provide you with the customer service you are entitled to and deserve. Best wishes from all of us in the Student Services Center. Cliff Sargis Getting Involved: Take Your Child to Work Day
Welcome New Employees: Know Better People
August 1, 2008 New Employees You Asked... We Listened...Recycling Efforts Advertised Excel and Access Courses Offered at the Health
Center FAQsI would like to host/precept a student/individual for a non-paid educational experience at UCHC. What process should I be using? The process can be found on the following website: http://employ.uchc.edu/training/hosting.html. Here you will find all the necessary paperwork for hosting an individual for a non-paid UCHC educational experience. In addition to the paperwork, there is a procedure guide that takes you through the five steps required to bring a student/individual on board. If you have any questions concerning this process please contact Sandy Kressner in Organization & Staff Development at 860-679-3419. How can I obtain an employment verification? The Records division handles employment verifications, and the Payroll division handles mortgage verifications. Employees will be asked to verify their identity when making the request. Outside parties looking to verify employment will be required to submit the requests in writing with a signed release from the employee. Human Resources will verify your current title, dates of employment and salary. Written requests can be faxed to 860-679-1051. I am planning on retiring. What do I need to do? If you are thinking about retiring in the near future, you should contact Jill Scully at 860-679-2901 to review your eligibility and to start the planning process. This can be done up to six months ahead of time. Generally speaking, employees are eligible to retire upon reaching age 55 with a minimum of ten years of State service or at the age of 62 with a minimum of five years of State service. Once a decision is made to actually retire, it is recommended to contact Jill Scully at least two months before the anticipated date for additional instructions. Keep in mind that retirements are always effective on the first day of a month. Spotlight: Creative Child Care Center
Last year the Creative Child Center went through the rigorous process of NAEYC reaccredidation and the result was an overwhelming success for the program. While going through the complex procedure only seventeen other programs in the nation had fully accomplished the reaccredidation under its new intricate criteria. To achieve this feat there were many factors and hard working hands at play and work. Each classroom produced individualized classroom portfolios that fully documented a “day in the life” of the children in their environment. There were also assessments done on children in order to meet individualized development needs of the children in the center. One of the important factors of the NAEYC criteria is that children are best understood and supported in the context of family, culture, community and society and the child center continued to work diligently at embracing communities around us and to introduce our children to the outside world through various programs. Through music (“Happy Piano”), dance (Dance Movement class) and technology (Computer Tots) our children are exposed happily and positively to communities outside just our four walls. One of the challenges facing Tonie LaPenta, Director of the Creative Child Care Center and head teachers, Tracy Clarke-Thompson and Amy Bresson (pictured in photo above), is to meet the criteria specific to staff credentials. All teaching staff at the Creative Child center need to have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential by 2010. We currently have three teachers completing their course work and preparing for their final exam. By 2010 all need to be working towards their Bachelors degree; currently seventy five percent of our staff already meet this criteria. The great news is that the accreditation process proved once again how qualified and capable our staff are and how the field of early childhood education is an expanding, challenging and exciting place to be a part of, just like the Creative Child Center. Around CampusDr. Deckers Day Celebrate UCHC 2008 Charitable Giving Campaign Kickoff
PAWS Awards ReceptionKnow Better Place is pleased to announce the August 2008 PAWS award recipients. The Pride In People subcommittee hosted an awards reception on Tuesday, Aug. 19, honoring employees who consistently perform above and beyond the expectations of their job and exhibit the following attributes: Part of a team • Awesome attitude • Wonderful work ethic • Superior service. Congratulations to the following recipients and thank you to all who recognized them with a PAWS nomination. The award recipients are:
TEAM Award - CMHC PHARMACY Margo Granger and Kathy Wiggins, Co-chairs |
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About HR Connections |
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HR Connections is a publication of the University of Connecticut Health
Center. HR Connections is designed to bring the latest information and
current Human Resources events to the employees at the UConn Health
Center. Editorial Board: Laurel Barrows, Teri Chasse, Alexis Crean, Elizabeth Fay, Jessica Hajdasz, Susan Keegan, Sandy Kressner, Marisa Leone, Sylvia Nolan, Rosie Rodriguez, Jessica Van Alstyne |
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A performance appraisal, or service rating, is a written evaluation of the
performance of an employee over a specified time period. The purpose of
the performance appraisal is to provide employees with an assessment of
their performance over time, to identify strengths and/or areas of
concern, and to provide an opportunity for an employee and his/her
supervisor to meet and clarify job expectations.
Because of your feedback and commitment our workplace is healthier, “greener,”
and better informed! Together we’ve brought exciting changes to the
Health Center, including Just Move, commuter resources, Eco Husky
efforts, Stress Management, Employee Suggestion Status Reports, and
Leadership Lunch and Learn sessions. Now let’s do more!
Want to learn more? We invite you to visit the Know Better Place website,
On
behalf of our staff in the Student Services Center, welcome to the
Health Center. You, no doubt, will have many questions while you remain
a student here. Some of these may pertain to the health benefits we
offer you as a student. Others may be related to financial aid that you
may wish to apply for. Still others may concern registration and
payment for coursework, enrollment verifications or the admissions
process to other programs.
The
The Health Center hosted 150 children of UCHC parents, grandparents, and friends on April
24, 2008. This year’s theme was Making Choices for a Better
World. Children enjoyed themselves by visiting a variety of departments,
including Radiology, the Environmental Control Center, and Anatomic
Pathology. Other departments, including the Library, Poison
Control Center, NICU and Public Safety, had booths set up in the academic lobby
with information for the children. Older children toured the ER and
enjoyed informative workshops hosted by Dr. Zeff and Dr. Wetstone on
problem-based learning. Showcased art work reflecting wishes for
the future was displayed on “wishing wells” in the Cafeteria. Next
year, the program will take place on April 23, 2009, under the auspices of
Know Better Place. If you are interested in joining the
planning committee or hosting a session for the children, please contact Rosie
Rodriguez at 860-679-2752.
New employees become part of the University of Connecticut Health Center family every other week during New
Employee Orientation. When you notice a new face in your department,
take the time to introduce yourself. You would be surprised at how much
of an impact a cheery welcome can have.
The
Environmental Sustainability Advisory committee held a town
meeting several months ago describing ongoing efforts taking place at
UCHC and UConn Storrs. At that meeting, a student suggested that we
promote the excellent work we are doing on recycling efforts to our new
employees. Therefore, presenters point out the facilities website and
summarize the available recycling options at New Employee Orientation.
Also, Know Better Place has added an Eco-husky link to their
website, 
Our
annual picnic to celebrate UCHC employees was held on June 4th. Originally scheduled to be located in the Courtyard,
rain forced the party to be moved indoors to the Cafeteria. Directors served lunch, and we were entertained by our own
Emergency Department band, The Remedies, guest MC, Scot Haney from Channel 3, as well as former Idol winners, Evelyn Passan,
Denise Ortiz and Lisa Parenteau. Although the weather was wet, the spirit wasn’t dampened, and a good time was had by all.
