Training Update

As we enter a new year and head into the home stretch of the 2021–22 performance management process, the Office of Human Resources (OHR) would like to highlight upcoming learning and development opportunities.

Upcoming Performance Management Training — Performance Evaluations

As we progress further into the FY22 performance management and merit cycle, we are quickly approaching the time of the year for staff members to reflect on their accomplishments for the review cycle and to complete their self-evaluation. Supervisors will then review the self-evaluations, complete their evaluations and schedule performance discussions. Last year, due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the evaluations were completed offline via documents and forms administered by each department. This year, as a result of the university-wide standardization of the Performance Management process within Workday, the performance evaluation process will be completed in Workday.

OHR is offering training sessions to prepare employees and supervisors for the performance management process in Workday. Training sessions started in January and will continue through March.

Staff Supervisor Training Proving to be Successful

CMU continues to acknowledge the pivotal role supervisors play related to employee and institutional success. Since its introduction in 2020, the Staff Supervisory Awareness Program has surpassed the milestone of over 1,000 attendees (unique and recurring). Through seven rotations of the program, 345 unique individuals have attended, filling 1,093 attendance spots for a total of 2,965 instructional hours. 27 supervisors have completed all eight sessions offered in the program, earning a certificate to acknowledge their achievement and commitment to professional development. Even more impressive than the participation statistics is the feedback about the program: 94% of survey respondents found program topics meaningful to their development as a leader and will implement something specific from the sessions.

Employee Retention Training

Current trends in turnover and employee retention suggest that now more than ever, employers need to be proactive in their efforts to retain employees. OHR strongly encourages all supervisors to participate in an upcoming training session developed to address employee retention. This new training course will prepare supervisors to utilize tools such as stay interviews with their staff and explore additional strategies for engaging and retaining top talent. Upon completion of the training, supervisors will better understand their staff’s priorities and what might influence them to stay at CMU.

Sessions will be held via Zoom; please register in advance via FocusU. The schedule is as follows; all times are ET:

Thursday, February 17, 9–10:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 10, 3–4:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 31, 2:30–4 p.m.
Thursday, April 28, 9–10:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 19, 9–10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 7, 2:30–4 p.m.

Please contact the Learning and Development team with any questions. 

Learning Partners to Meet in February

The next quarterly meeting for the OHR-sponsored Learning Partners group is scheduled for Thursday, February 24 at 9 a.m. This multidisciplinary group is made up of individuals who provide or support training and development initiatives across campus. The intent of the group is to provide a forum where members can collaborate to discuss common challenges and solutions as well as create a broader network that can help share experience and knowledge among members. If you are interested in attending the upcoming meeting or joining, contact the Learning and Development team.