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HR Liaisons provide valuable service
“HR Liaisons serve as an important link between the human resources unit and administrative and academic departments,” Maxine Colm, vice president for administration, said. “Liaisons serve as ‘first-line staff members’ for our unit, providing essential personnel services to faculty and staff. We are indeed grateful for their dedicated assistance.” HR Liaisons are vital partners in the delivery of HR services to the campus community, according to Nancy Wallace, HR director. HR Liaisons coordinate information about departmental hires, transfers, promotions, retirements, leaves of absence and other concerns and relay it to the HR office, where it is recorded Payroll and Systems Administration. During the past few years, the role of the HR Liaison has expanded, Wallace said. The Liaisons communicate important information to their colleagues, such as details on new employee orientation, the annual Benefits Fair, training programs and workshops and service recognition events. In addition, an HR Executive Group and HR Support Team have been formed from the HR Liaison community. The HR Executive Group is a steering/advisory group of academic and administrative managers who interact with HR managers to discuss, streamline and enhance operational practices and to address any issues that may arise. Tim Miller, assistant dean in the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy, serves on the HR Executive Group and said, “It acts as a sounding board and allows for input into the HR processes, providing another opportunity to learn what we need to be doing and should be doing to work with Human Resources.” Another member of the group, David McCarren, assistant director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, said, “The Executive Group is very effective and provides a better connection between the colleges and Human Resources to do things better and to address issues.” Christine Cook, assistant provost for research management and operations, said the Executive Group has been successful. “There is interaction; we learn what the unit needs and they hear from us. It has worked so well that I am adapting the same kind of program to work with the different colleges in my job,” she said. The HR Support Team is a group of experienced Liaisons who help train and advise newer Liaisons. Anna Bloch, HR systems administrator, works directly with the Liaisons. “We have breakfast meetings with the Liaisons in the spring and fall, and meet more frequently with the Executive Group and the Support Team. The program has been in place for several years, but it has been improved in terms of better training and more interaction with HR Liaisons,” she said. A special program recognizes service excellence among HR Liaison colleagues, as part of HR’s “UDeserve Our Best” customer service campaign, Wallace said. Each quarter, an HR Liaison is selected for recognition of exceptional service. In 2004, they were Deborah Hendel, administrative coordinator of chemical engineering, for the spring quarter; Cynthia Bendler, senior administrative assistant in the College of Arts and Sciences, for the summer quarter; and Patricia Lesniczak, records analyst/coordinator, Morris Library, for the fall quarter. Judy Watson, assistant to the chairperson in sociology, was recently honored for the 2005 winter quarter. Watson said she appreciated the recognition. “The liaison system with one person handling all phases of HR resources for the department works well,” she said. “HR holds meetings, keeps us informed and helps out with any problems that may arise.” Article by Sue Moncure To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |
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