Date:

September 18, 2006

To:

PDAD&C; Professional / Managerial Staff (CC: Divisional HR Offices)

From:

Angela Hildyard, Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity

Re:

New Staff and Faculty Orientation Sessions

As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the faculty and staff experience, I am pleased to announce that the Division of Human Resources and Equity will begin offering orientation sessions for new faculty, staff and librarians. These sessions are intended to augment the more specific orientation programs already offered through the Provost’s Office and at the local level by divisions and departments.

The Orientation sessions will introduce recently hired employees to a broad range of topics that are fundamental to developing an understanding of the University’s organization and environment. The sessions will cover:

• The history and structure of the University;
• The broader context of Stepping UP and how it is implemented across the University;
• Equity, diversity and inclusivity;
• Cultural and athletic opportunities for employees
• Employee services and web resources; and
• A safe and healthy workplace.

As well, new staff and faculty will have an opportunity, in separate sessions, to discuss career development with current employees who have had diverse career paths within the University.

I encourage you to ensure that all new hires attend one of these seminars. Recent research published by UTSC management professors Jamie Gruman, Alan Saks and David Zweig provides additional evidence that a structured and guided orientation can greatly enhance an employee’s experience of, and productivity within an organization. (More on this can be found at http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/060822-2510.asp).

The first Orientation sessions for new staff and faculty will occur on October 6 and 27, beginning with breakfast at 8 a.m. and running until 12:30 p.m. President David Naylor will be providing the welcoming remarks for the October 6 session.

Additional sessions will be scheduled throughout the year. New employees will receive an invitation to attend one of the sessions over the next few weeks, and it is my hope that all staff, faculty and librarians will attend.