April Learning Opportunities -- Human Resources

Take advantage of the programs offered by Human Resources to help further your professional and personal development. The Learning and Education (L&E) and Quality of Work Life (QOWL) departments are promoting several programs in the month of April, as listed below. Visit the HR website at www.hr.upenn.edu for descriptions of the programs and to pre-register on-line. Registration is required for all programs.

Learning and Education programs
Learn valuable skills through American Management Association (AMA) programs, Brown Bag Matinees, Satellite Broadcasts, and other programs. For questions on L&E programs, call (215) 898-3400 or visit www.hr.upenn.edu/learning.

Thurs., April 3 and Fri., April 4, 9 a.m.--5p.m.
The Grammar Course (AMA Program) 2-day program

Wed., April 16, noon--1p.m.
FISH! (Brown Bag Matinee)

Wed., April 23, 1--3 p.m.
Future Skills, What You Need to Succeed in 2003 and Beyond,
Featuring Bob Nelson(Live Satellite Broadcast at Penn)
Special Event for Administrative Professional Day

Fri., April 25, noon--1p.m.
Closing the Gap (Brown Bag Matinee)

Quality of Work Life programs
Human Resources continues to promote effective communication and health promotion with workshops presented by experts from Penn Behavioral Health (our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Work/Life Benefit provider), and Independence Blue Cross (IBC).

For personalized assistance with dependent care issues and personal well-being, contact PENN Behavioral Health at 1-888-321-4433 or go on-line to www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/eap.asp. For questions on QOWL programs, contact Orna Rosenthal at orna@hr.upenn.edu or (215) 898-5116.

Thurs., April 3, 11:30 a.m.--1p.m.
Talking to Your Teenager (Employee Assistance and Work/Life Benefit workshop)

Tues., April 8, noon--1p.m.
Insomnia (IBC video presentation)

Thurs., April 17, 11:30 a.m.--1 p.m.
He Said, She Said: Communicating Across the Gender Gap
(Employee Assistance and Work/Life Benefit workshop)

Look for monthly updates on HR programs in future Almanac editions.

--Division of Human Resources

Changes: 2003 Performance & Staff Development Program
The Division of Human Resources continuously strives to enhance our Performance and Staff Development Program (the annual performance appraisal program) to support the University's strategic goals, meet the needs of our community, and promote best practices. In doing this, we seek constant feedback from supervisors and staff on our program in addition to benchmarking and researching best practices in the field. Based on our recent research and feedback, we have made minor changes to the annual performance appraisal process for the 2003 cycle. The 2003 appraisal process will now include a 5-tier overall rating system and a revised competency list consisting of 11 basic competencies for all staff and an additional 3 supervisory competencies.

All of the materials for the 2003 Performance and Staff Development Program can be found on the HR website at www.hr.upenn.edu. If you have questions about the performance appraisal process or need training for staff and/or supervisors, contact the Division of Human Resources, Staff and Labor Relations at (215) 898-6093.

--Division of Human Resources