Human Resources offers update on activities, events, holidays

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As we enter the second half of the fall semester, the Office of Human Resources would like to take this opportunity to update you on some of the initiatives we’ve been working on to support growth, wellness, and opportunity for everyone at Guilford College. Below, you'll find highlights of recent activities and important upcoming events.

Compliance and Policy Updates

We continue to prioritize compliance and policy improvements to ensure a transparent and supportive environment for all. Recent accomplishments include:

Performance Appraisals: We have successfully rolled out this year’s performance reviews, providing employees with valuable feedback and development plans.
New Overtime Rule: The new overtime rule was implemented in July 2024 in accordance with the Department of Labor's updated regulations.
Workday Support: We’ve introduced new work aids for Workday, making it easier for staff and faculty to navigate our HR system.
Employee Handbook: Revisions to the Employee Handbook are in progress, with the goal of enhancing clarity and ensuring the content reflects our evolving workplace.

Title IX Compliance and Training

This year, we have focused on ensuring full compliance with Title IX regulations and fostering a campus that values inclusivity and safety:

Updated Title IX Regulations: We have updated our policies in line with the 2024 federal Title IX regulations.
Revised Title IX Policy: Our Title IX policy has been revised to better protect and inform our campus community.
Campus Training: Mandatory Title IX training was conducted for all faculty and staff, reinforcing our commitment to a safe, respectful, and compliant workplace.
Pregnancy and Related Conditions: Information regarding pregnancy and related conditions has been shared with students, ensuring awareness of available resources and support.

Employee Engagement and Development

We have been actively working to strengthen employee engagement and promote leadership development:

New Employee Orientation and Onboarding: We recently held orientation and onboarding sessions to welcome and equip new employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed.
Leadership Development Training: A series of leadership training sessions was offered, covering topics such as:
- Introduction to Leadership: Finding the Leader in You!
- Self-Awareness and Accountability
- Conflict Management
- Navigating Change
- Professionalism and Building Relationships
Financial Wellness: In partnership with Truliant, we held financial wellness sessions for employees and students, as well as personalized financial planning sessions with Edward Jones.

Benefits and Wellness Initiatives

The health and wellness of our faculty and staff remain a top priority:

Employee Health Fair: We recently hosted a health fair to promote physical well-being and connect employees with essential wellness resources.
Open Enrollment: The open enrollment period for employee benefits will be held from November 1-15. This is your chance to review and make any necessary adjustments to your benefit selections.
Paid Parental Leave: Pending approval, we are excited about the prospect of introducing paid parental leave, a valuable addition to our benefits package.

Student Employment Opportunities

We’re pleased to announce ongoing efforts to increase student employment on and off campus:

Campus Hiring: We are currently hiring work-study and non-work-study students for positions across the college.
Off-Campus Work-Study: Students also have opportunities to tutor with Guilford County Schools through off-campus work-study positions.
Collaboration with CAPE: We are partnering with CAPE to boost student job placement and ensure students gain valuable work experience.

Looking Ahead

We remain dedicated to fostering your growth and well-being through these initiatives and beyond. As we near the end of the year, we will continue to keep you informed with updates on our progress and important details about upcoming events and holidays.

Upcoming Holidays:

Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, Nov. 27 - Friday, Nov. 29
Winter Break: Monday, Dec. 23 - Tuesday, Dec. 31
New Year’s Day: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025

A special thank you to the Staff Council for their valuable feedback and recommendations. We appreciate your dedication and ongoing contributions to our vibrant Guilford College community. If you have any questions or would like more information on any of the topics covered, please feel free to reach out to us at HR@guilford.edu.

- Human Resources Team