One of the priorities named in the University of Manitoba’s Strategic Planning Framework is to be “an employer of first choice, offering and expecting respect for all staff and faculty, providing opportunities for leadership, growth and development, and recognizing the contributions made at all levels of the organization.”

We are beginning this initiative by seeking first to understand what you see and/or would need to see and feel in order to claim the name, “outstanding workplace” as being your own. We are using an emergent, exploratory, and qualitative approach to first understand your current experience. What do you currently value about your workplace? To have a more fulfilling experience, what would you like to see? In response to these questions we have, since November 2010, been gathering your feedback through:

1. One-on-one interviews 
2. Focus groups
3. Web-survey

If you have not already done so, we encourage you to complete this short open-ended 2-question survey. If you have completed the survey, a huge thank you.

What follows are five themes that are emerging from the responses received:

• Leadership & Management
• People/Community
• Contribution
• Professional & Career Development
•  Appreciation of “Benefits

What follows is a sample of comments received by those who have participated in any of the three processes identified above.  Do these responses ring true with your experience? How do the responses received thus far compare against other research in this area.  Again, we do invite you to share your voices through any of the processes identified above. Your collective responses will help to serve us in the drafting of this initiative’s framework and plan of action.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Best Practices
“I… have opportunities to work collaboratively with other units toward service enhancements and increased efficiency. The majority of my colleagues across the University have a commitment to ongoing professional development and a genuine desire to do the best job they possibly can, and share common goals that place the student experience and integrity of the institution at the forefront.”

“I value the passion in which Faculty members express for their job and their individual philanthropic interests. The staff and administration that I work with has a unique pride in their work - without competitiveness with each other - and all help each other whenever needed. There is no office gossip or disputes, so I imagine that if there has been a problem it is handled appropriately and effectively by the powers that be.”

“I think the University treats its employees fairly and with respect. My experience in my department has been one of support and encouragement…always offering the opportunity to learn more…”

What can we do better?
“More honesty and integrity from management, middle management, and administration…I have seen managers use fear and intimidation…It can be difficult to contribute honestly and effectively in this type of environment. After so many years working at the university, I find this very sad.”

“Break down silos…Look for new ways to work together to optimize the use of scarce resources…Start building confidence in the institution…”

“I would like to see truly honest and open communication ... There is the potential for collective creativity but little opportunity to provide input that will be taken seriously. There is an atmosphere of fear and mistrust and of putting up walls for protection. In 20+ years here, I have never seen such an air of cynicism and defeat. It's hard for university staff to be promoters/ambassadors for the institution under these circumstances. So I'd like to see leadership that is open, transparent, available and honest.”

“..For the leaders to create a reason to be proud for what you do…sometimes the news paint a negative picture…we need to be told some positive stories…and through that we can develop a sense of trust in our leadership.”

“Stop the bureaucracy and red tape within this large organization…”

Read more about leadership and management practices at the University of Manitoba here.

PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Best Practices
“I value the colleagues I work most closely with, and appreciate that there are many in the university community with whom I have very collegial relationships with based on mutual respect and common commitment to the purpose of the university - both faculty and support staff…”

“…Of the wonderful mind-opening experience of meeting people from other countries and cultures. We get to grow within ourselves and within the other people... I love the ‘small town, community’ aspect of this University…”

“…I work for an outstanding department which has a strong identity and positive community environment -- we feel like a family…”

What can we do better?
“…Increased visibility of U of M in community… Communicating the strengths and relevance of the University of Manitoba to the broader community on a REGULAR basis…” (capital letters original)

“… additional programs offered through the University recognized on an institutional level as a valuable contribution to the University Experience... We need to consider the community we create on our campus, and be conscious of the thousands of individuals that we have the opportunity to interact with. Students are our jobs, and the reason that we have jobs. We need to provide them with the best possible service we can….”

“More respect from faculty and administration, acknowledgement of and recognition for the work undertaken, a more open and transparent governance, a more realistic fiscal environment (i.e. planning horizons greater than one year), more opportunity for and support of continuing education and personal improvement.”

“…A greater sense that the University values what I do. It has been my observation that huge amounts of attention are paid to a select group of units and an even more select group of individuals, but units such as the Faculty of xxx where I work are largely ignored and are grossly under-resourced.?It would be nice to know that the University is actually aware of what we do as a Faculty, that it cares about it, and that it will make an effort to assist us in our endeavors….”

Read more about people and community at the University of Manitoba here.

CONTRIBUTION

Best Practices
“I feel that my contributions aid the overall effort of educating people, which allows them to better themselves financially and intellectually. Beyond that, the University also does much important research that benefits society in general…”

“It is an exciting, refreshing place to be. I feel renewed coming to work every day and seeing student life and know that I am contributing to the whole organization in order to give all students the best experience ever…”

“The work done here in terms of research, teaching, and community outreach has a positive impact on the population at large. I feel that the U of M is a leader in a number of areas and that other institutions have or will replicate these strengths…”

What can we do better?
“…I love doing what I do and making the university accessible and understandable to the future generation of talented leaders in students! My hope is that they will do much better than the some-of- the-old-world minded boomers that are holding back society and this university today…”

PROFESSIONAL & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Best practices
“…It is a fantastic learning and discovery environment. I am privileged to work with dedicated academic and support staff who come together to create a great place of learning and development for students. Academic staff are (sic) on the cutting edge of their respective disciplines, and it is amazing to be part of the changes that will determine the future of our province, country and our world…”

“I particularly enjoy the University culture that encourages learning, both formally through courses and workshops, and informally through our colleagues.”

“It is a great environment to work in. I can grow professionally and personally, as many opportunities are available.”

“It has given me the opportunity for growth in my skills and to obtain new skills I would not be able to easily acquire, working on the outside. The breadth of experience is unlike anything you could have in a position in the public workforce.”

“The University provides various career development opportunities, the pay is great and I enjoy the opportunity to work with students to help them in their education.”

What can we do better?
“As a supervisor, what I would like to see started is timely training for new employees, eg. AURORA. At this (Bannatyne) campus our facilities are smaller…so, maybe more frequent courses at Bannatyne campus; training every 2 weeks. Some people have been waiting for a very long time…e.g. VISA training program…ideally, as soon as the person is hired, need the training to start…VIP; payroll system…”

“I needed to learn computer on my own. In my evaluations I was told that I was weak in computer…when I want to take classes I was also told ‘no’…so, I am fixing the problem myself…I am shocked by this…we have student vibrancy…we expect faculty to remain vibrant…but staff are not respected in the same way…support staff are encouraged to take classes but there is no follow through…”

“As a department head, what I would strongly recommend is a standardized mentoring program across all faculties…and especially a mentoring program focused on mid-career faculty”

“As a supervisor, I would really appreciate a mentoring program…so much I can learn from others…”

“…a campus wide mentoring program to assist individuals to get to know & consult experienced academics about their careers. I experienced a wonderful program designed to encourage more women into management roles in academia in Australia, it included lectures from brilliant women academics, a mentoring program and developed a community of support”

“Differing opinions – professional development opportunities vary from department to department…seems like more academics have more opportunities…we do not have a U of M framework…people who evaluate jobs do not have the skills to evaluate”

“We need to open up the doors to take more courses…right now it is simply too job related…if I wanted to venture out to another job…that required specific computer related skills, we should be given that opportunity…I to see us being supported with cyber learning – it should not matter if this is not directly job related…this will improve our career opportunities…it is learning and fulfilling…can only increase your skills and enable you to be better”

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Best Practices
“…I have only been employed at the University for 2 1/2 years and I can tell you as a single mom of 2 this is the best place I've ever worked. I feel almost privileged to be here. The friendships that have been made and the continuous opportunity to learn more, be it workshops, LDS or simple one-on-one training makes this workplace stand out from all the rest. I have worked in the private sector most of my adult life and I have never been given the support and encouragement to learn more or take on more responsibility as I have in the 2 years here. I LOVE WORKING AT THE U of M! I don't care what Disneyworld says THIS IS THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH!!” (capitals original)

“…the University of Manitoba offers great health, dental, and pension plans, and I was very appreciative of the fact that I could take and be reimbursed for university courses I took towards my xxx degree”

“…Flexibility and the whole of work-life balance…in his workplace, my husband does not have the flexibility that I have at my workplace…”

“I arrived here a little over a year ago from xxx, where I had been employed for the past 26 years. It was time for a change and I have not regretted the move for a minute. I find the change refreshing and love the balance between work and organized social activities. I enjoy the LDS sessions that we are encouraged to take and the regular Dean's Office staff meetings…”

“…Good salary; excellent vacations, including the annual Christmas break…”

“…As an academic, I like that this school balances teaching and research and rewards both. I also feel fortunate, that within reasonable parameters, my administration allows me to pursue projects that I think are worthwhile…”

What can we do better?
“More options for flexible work hours, especially in jobs that have evening or off-campus requirements…”

“…more opportunities for working parents to have an option to work part-time or job share…”

“…greater opportunity for professional development…”

“A day care centre dedicated for U of M employees here at the Bannatyne campus…right now there is a day care at the Health Sciences Centre but it is first for employees at the Health Sciences centre…”