News to Use – July 2023

News to Use – July 2023

News to Use is a monthly summary of HR information for all employees of McMaster University.

The Working Mind – New Mental Health Training for Faculty, Staff and Leaders – Human Resource Services, in collaboration with McMaster’s Okanagan Committee, is pleased to be launching The Working Mind mental health training for faculty, staff and leaders.  This training directly supports our shared purpose of promoting and contributing to a healthy and safe community at McMaster University.

The Working Mind is an evidence-based training program designed to promote mental health and reduce stigma around mental illness in the workplace by initiating a shift in the way you think, act, and feel about mental health.  The training offers practical knowledge and skills to address mental health and mental illness in the workplace.  Three core modules offer the same foundational content to both employee and people leader participants and an additional module focuses on helping leaders support their teams’ mental health.

To learn more about the program and register for an upcoming course, please visit https://hr.mcmaster.ca/twm.

Workload Management  – Human Resources Services is pleased to announce the launch of a new website and learning opportunities dedicated to supporting staff and leaders in effectively managing workloads and promoting psychological health and safety in the workplace. At McMaster University, we understand the significance of maintaining a balanced workload to support well-being and optimize productivity. 
 
The new website is designed to provide a wealth of resources, tools, and guidance on workload management strategies. Whether you’re seeking practical tips to manage your tasks or a leader looking to create a supportive work environment, the new website has something valuable for everyone. 
 
Here’s what you can expect:  

1. Expert Advice and Insights: Access a comprehensive library of articles, learning opportunities, and expert insights on various aspects of psychological health and safety and workload management. 
      

1. Practical Tools and Resources: Explore a range of practical tools and resources to help you effectively manage your workload. From prioritization techniques and time management templates to goal-setting frameworks and culture matrices, our website offers actionable resources to enhance your well-being. 
      

1. Learning Opportunities: Discover our new learning sessions aimed at developing essential skills for workload management. These programs will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate challenging workloads, enhance your resilience, and thrive in your professional journey. 

External Tuition Bursary – Application Form Deadline Approaching – TMG, SAL and MUFA members: do you have a spouse or dependent that completed post-secondary education at an institution outside of McMaster in the past year? They may be eligible for the McMaster External Tuition Bursary Benefit. 

Applications for the 2022/2023 academic year (completed undergraduate and graduate degree programs and college diploma programs from both accredited Canadian universities and colleges and international institutions between September 2022 and August 2023) are still open until July 31st, 2023. The application has two parts: 

• Part 1 of the application (which confirms eligibility) is due by July 31st and, 
• Part 2 of the application (the payment application form which includes proof of course completion) will be accepted until September 30th. This later date accommodates submissions for summer courses that are currently being completed. 

As a reminder, if you already completed Part 1 of this application earlier this year, make sure to log into Mosaic to complete Part 2 by September 30th.  

Payments for the 2022/2023 academic year benefit will be made by December 2023. 

Read through our program FAQ for additional information on program eligibility and how to apply.  

If you have any questions, please contact hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca   

Important update about a change in the Emergency Travel Assistance Provider effective July 1, 2023 – McMaster’s Emergency Travel Assistance benefit is provided through the Sun Life group benefits plan.   Effective July 1, 2023, Sun Life Global Excel Management (GEM) is the new provider for emergency out-of-country and out-of-province travel assistance. GEM replaces the current provider – Allianz Global Assistance (Allianz).  To help ensure a smooth transition:

• Allianz will continue to manage any claims that were incurred prior to July 1, 2023, for the remainder of 2023.
• A new travel card will be available for download on mysunlife.ca or the my Sun Life mobile app on or after July 1, 2023.  The new travel card will also be available in the Travel and Medi-Passport which will be available on the HR website on July 1, 2023.
• The telephone numbers for Emergency Travel Assistance are not changing.  For 24/7 assistance, call:
  • In the USA and Canada:  1-800-511-4610
  • From anywhere else:  1-519-514-0351

The change will have no impact on your Emergency Travel Assistant benefit plan provisions. The McMaster contract number (25018) and Member ID number (your employee ID number) will remain the same. Should you or your covered dependents have any emergency medical requirements while travelling, be sure to contact GEM using the numbers above.  Additional information about this change is available on the HR website.

Disaggregate Employment Equity Census – For the past number of months, Human Resources Services has been sharing a draft of the disaggregate employment equity census initiative and with many opportunities for members of the McMaster community to learn more and contribute to the design and implementation of the census.  

Updating the Employment Equity Census to collect disaggregated data is a leading practice in advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging. It enables a better understanding of employee experiences based on varying levels of intersectional identities that may otherwise be hidden. For example, we can move beyond the identity of a “Racialized woman with a disability” to a “South Asian woman with an invisible disability”. The means to identify and analyze this additional level of detail will allow us to better understand these differential experiences and how we can enhance our policies, processes, and systems to achieve employment equity. 

As we finalize the new census, all Faculty and Staff (including interim and student employees) are invited to review the Final Draft Census Questions and share any questions, feedback, or comments on the census questions by completing this anonymous survey by Friday, July 28 2023.  

You may also review these Frequently Asked Questions for more information on this important initiative or contact Ayo Osinowo via email at osinowa@mcmaster.ca should you have further questions. 

The new Employment Equity Census will be launched in early Fall 2023. All faculty and staff will be asked to update their Employment equity Census responses at that time.