University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 22, March 6


Employee Training

Advanced Defensive Driving Course
"Coaching the Experienced Driver" is for those with several
years of driving experience but who may need to freshen up
their driving skills. Through films, slides, discussion and
individual work, the program gives the driver important
cues that can be used in daily driving to reduce the number
of near misses or actual accidents. Employees who complete
the program receive a 15 percent discount on insurance (not
in addition to the 10 percent from basic defensive
driving).
Note: There is a $15 fee for this class. Registration must
be made by campus or U.S. mail and accompanied by a check,
made payable to the Delaware Safety Council. Send payment
to Employee Training and Career Development, 87 East Main
St.
Date: Wednesday, May 7
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Location: To be announced
Deadline: April 28
Audience: All University employees and their dependents
Prerequisite: Participants must have completed the basic
defensive driving class.

Writing with Confidence
This two-part course is designed for staff who regularly
write memos, letters, reports, etc. In addition to
reviewing grammar and punctuation issues, the course
focuses on effective writing techniques. These will include
determining the audience, keeping the reader interested,
generating accurate information, choosing the appropriate
style, staying on the subject, building confidence and
writing concisely.
Dates: Friday, April 11
     Friday, April 18
Time: 8:30 a.m.-noon
Location: To be announced
Deadline: March 28

Asserting Yourself on the Job
Passive? Assertive? Aggressive? Which are you? What are
some of the components of assertive behavior? Why is being
assertive especially important for women? What are some of
the blocks to acting assertively? Every day on our jobs-in
dealings with co-workers, supervisors, those we supervise,
parents, students and others-many occasions arise where
assertive behavior could benefit us in our communications.
This workshop will answer your questions about
assertiveness and provide you with opportunities to discuss
its application in the workplace.
Date: Monday, April 14
Time: Noon-1:30 p.m.
Location: To be announced
Deadline: April 4

Supervision Training
This series of workshops is designed to enhance skills used
regularly in supervisory relationships. Participants should
have at least one to two years of supervisory experience.
Employees attending all three workshops will receive a
certificate of completion from the Office of Employee
Training and Caeer Development.

Session 1: Effective communication and listening skills in
supervision
Research indicates that being an effective communicator is
one of the most important skills for a successful
supervisory career. Listening is a critical communication
skill for all people, especially supervisors. This
supervisory program teaches how to listen for understanding
and to assure that the messages sent and received are the
same. Evaluating non-verbal signals and the proper uses of
questioning techniques also will be covered.
Date: Wednesday, March 12
Time: 10 a.m.-noon
Location: To be announced
Deadline: March 6

Session 2: Performance appraisal for supervisors
This workshop is designed to enhance a supervisor's
evaluation skills through setting and communicating
performance standards, providing on-going feedback,
documenting performance and conducting effective
performance reviews.
Date: Wednesday, March 26
Time: 10 a.m.-noon
Location: To be announced
Deadline: March 14

Session 3:
Problem-solving and conflict- resolution skills for
supervisors
This session examines the effect of conflict in the
workplace and the supervisor's role in its management.
Conflict-resolution strategies, methods to confront co-
workers and ways to keep conflicts from escalating will be
reviewed. Join us to learn how to keep cool, stand your
ground and reach a positive solution.
Date: Wednesday, April 9
Time: 10 a.m.-noon
Location: To be announced
Deadline: March 28

Labor Relations Training Series
This series of six workshops is designed to provide
managers and other supervisory personnel with an overview
of current labor and employment issues. These sessions are
geared toward personnel with all levels of experience in
the labor management area. Individuals attending all six
sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion from the
Office of Employee Training and Caeer Development.

Session 2: Discrimination in employment
Participants will receive information on several issues,
including the Americans with Disabilities Act, age
discrimination in employment, sex discrimination and sexual
harassment and the federal and state investigatory process.
Date: Tuesday, March 25
Time: 1:30-3 p.m.
Location: To be announced
Deadline: March 17

Session 3: Personal and institutional  legal liability
Information will be shared on legal liability issues,
including defamation of character, common law torts and
sexual harassment vis-a-vis the institution, supervisors
and co-workers.
Date: Tuesday, April 8
Time: 1:30-3 p.m.
Location: To be announced
Deadline: March 31

Session 4: Collective bargaining/contract negotiation
This session will examine the elements of a collective
bargaining agreement, contract administration, grievances
and arbitration and the Public Employment Relations Board.
Date: Tuesday, April 22
Time: 1:30-3 p.m.
Location: To be announced
Deadline: April 14

Session 5: Unemployment and workers compensation/FMLA
Participants will receive information related to
unemployment and workers' compensation, including
eligibility and financial criteria, the Unemployment
Compensation Appeals Board and Industrial Accident Board
and the interface between Workers Compensation, the ADA and
the FMLA.
Date: Tuesday, May 6
Time: 1:30-3 p.m.
Location: To be announced
Deadline: April 28

Session 6: Violence in the American workplace
This session will examine the nature and magnitude of the
workplace violence problem, sources of employer liability,
civil liability to third parties and issues around
negligent hiring, retention and supervision.
Date: Tuesday, May 20
Time: 1:30-3 p.m.
Location: To be announced
Deadline: May 12

Staff Performance Appraisals
Completing the performance appraisal form for professional
and salaried staff will be the focus in this workshop. Each
section will be briefly reviewed as will the annual
performance appraisal system. The importance of the
discussion between the individual and their supervisor also
will be emphasized. Using the performance appraisal system
to improve performance and identify career development
needs will also be discussed.
Dates: Thursday, March 13, and
     Tuesday, March 18
Time: 11 a.m.-noon, March 13
     1-2 p.m., March 18
Location: To be announced
Deadline: March 7

General Accounting Workshop
An overview of the University accounting system, as well as
an introduction to the responsibilities of the General
Accounting Department, will be provided in this session.
Topics will include an overview of account codes and their
structure, exploring General Accounting on the web for
object code transaction information, journal voucher (JV)
and internal charge (FAI) preparation, General Accounting's
audit of submitted journal vouchers for adherence to
accounting rules and exploring General Accounting's online
query system for accounting statement information and
reconciliation.
Date: Wednesday, March 12
Time: 8:30 a.m.-noon
Location: 910 S. Chapel St. First-floor conference room
Deadline: March 7