Surveys can be a powerful tool for improving workplace culture and employee satisfaction, but they can have unintended consequences if no action planning follows. In fact, the lack of tangible — and rapid — action planning often lead to a cycle of employee disengagement and eroded trust, which results in fewer employees taking future surveys,... View Article
At the CUPA-HR Annual Conference and Expo 2024, the three keynote sessions offered insights on how higher ed can articulate its value proposition for employees. How can HR, campus leaders and other culture architects ensure their institutions are places where candidates want to work and where employees want to stay? And how can we bridge... View Article
“Wherever we go, we are CUPA-HR.” That’s what CUPA-HR President Andy Brantley reminded members at the recent Spring Conference in Minneapolis. Though institutions differ in mission and scope and despite daily crises that threaten to divert attention from long-term goals, CUPA-HR members live their values every day. The keynote speakers struck a similar theme, encouraging... View Article
Members Only Members OnlyEmployee retention has become a key topic of concern for higher ed employers. Many are struggling not only with high turnover rates, but with increased difficulty in sourcing and hiring qualified candidates for open positions. In May 2022, CUPA-HR research indicated that as many as 57 percent of current non-faculty employees surveyed were somewhat likely... View Article
Members OnlyIn a recent members-only article from the winter issue of Higher Ed HR Magazine, Britni Elder, associate vice president for human resources and risk management at the University of Central Arkansas, shared tips and resources higher ed HR practitioners can tap into to get ahead of the resignation curve and not only hold onto employees,... View Article
Members OnlyEmployee Appreciation Day is right around the corner (March 5). As the typical initiators of employee appreciation and recognition, HR offices are looking for creative ways to show appreciation for faculty and staff on tighter budgets and modified for the remote work environment. While the usual catered lunch or in-person awards ceremony may not be in... View Article
Members OnlyThis blog post was contributed by Stephanie Hoffmann, assistant director of community standards and responsibility at Rollins College. Ensuring that student affairs professionals feel engaged with their institution, know what resources are available on and off campus and know how they can utilize their strengths can help them perform better in their roles and positively... View Article
Members OnlyMost simply stated, a stay interview is a structured, informal conversation between a representative of the employer, such as a manager or an HR representative, and an employee. Structured because there are certain questions that should be asked. Informal because an informal setting puts both parties at ease and makes the conversation more robust and informative. The purpose is to... View Article
Members OnlyHR professionals and sociologists would not argue about the value of employee recognition and awards, although there could be some disagreement as to the most effective incentives and motivators. While Maslow and other researchers suggest that money is not a prime motivator, others beg to differ. Recent studies of the “generations” suggest that employer investment... View Article
Members OnlyEngaged employees hold a positive emotional connection to their work. They value, enjoy and believe in their jobs, managers, teams and organizations. Research has shown that Employee Engagement is fundamental to individual productivity and retention as well as organizational performance. William Kahn, organizational psychologist and founder of the employee engagement theory, identified three critical conditions that encourage... View Article
Members OnlyMentoring programs are an excellent way to enhance an organization’s professional development program. It can supplement new employee orientation, improve employee satisfaction and retention, supplement formal training programs, make your institution more appealing to potential employees and build your own leaders. Mentoring is cost effective, and the outcomes of mentoring programs benefit both mentor and... View Article
Members OnlyThe process of introducing a new employee to your institution sets the stage for what can be a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship. First impressions are powerful. When done well, onboarding communicates organization culture, expectations for excellence and the foundation for a positive future. When not done well, onboarding can have a negative impact on the... View Article