Navigating Flexible Work Arrangements and Holiday SchedulesAs the Thanksgiving and winter breaks are approaching, HRSTM is receiving questions about how telework and flexible work schedules should be handled. Please keep in mind that unit/area administrators and supervisors have the discretion to manage flexible work arrangements, including telework. This includes the frequency of telework days in a given period. For most unit/areas, employees with a regular telework schedule are teleworking for one to two days during a normal five-day work week.
To ensure that the operational and service needs of the unit/area are being met, administrators and supervisors have the discretion to adjust flexible work schedules (i.e., telework or alternate work schedules), particularly during peak vacation and/or holiday weeks. Therefore, while the College observes the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, decisions regarding flexible work schedules for the remaining days of that work week (i.e., Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) are at the discretion of the respective unit/area administrator and supervisor.
Employees are encouraged to speak with their direct supervisors to discuss and confirm flexible work arrangements for Thanksgiving week. Open communication is key to ensuring that all work requirements are seamlessly met while also providing the flexibility to enjoy the holiday season.
We appreciate your understanding and adaptability as we navigate these arrangements.
| |
Benefits: 2024 Open Enrollment Deadline and Final Information SessionAll benefits-eligible employees are required to log into Workday to review and submit their benefits elections, even if there are no changes to be made for 2024. The deadline for Open Enrollment is this Friday, November 17 at 5 p.m.
We encourage you to explore the Open Enrollment website, which is full of resources and information to help you navigate the process and make your 2024 benefit selections. Also, be sure to check out Alex, the virtual benefits advisor, who can explain, recommend, and provide you with a side-by-side comparison of the College’s health plans.
While this session is only for one hour, you can come and go as you need. However, you will need to register in advance to be able to log onto Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
| |
#YouBelongHere at Montgomery CollegeThis week’s MCTV #YouBelongHere features Gustavo Minaya, a financial aid outreach counselor at MC’s Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus and proud alum of the University of Baltimore, where he earned his master’s in public administration. Gustavo has over 15 years of experience in college admissions and financial aid and has helped thousands of students and families of all backgrounds navigate the college enrollment process.
While Gustavo works to create an atmosphere welcoming all students, he’s especially passionate about helping immigrant families, a passion that stems from his own personal experience as an immigrant and first-generation student. “I had to overcome challenges that most immigrants experience. I was the first one in my family to study in the U.S., and during my senior year, I had to navigate the admissions and financial aid processes by myself. Although my parents encouraged me to continue studying, they did not help or guide me.” Today, Gustavo’s guidance as a financial aid outreach counselor helps all students, immigrant and non-immigrant, understand the available resources and financial aid options that can be crucial to ensuring these students’ higher education success.
| |
FY24 Classification and Compensation Practices Study UpdateOn June 21, 2023, the Office of Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management (HRSTM) announced its efforts to streamline position descriptions and job classification specifications to optimize Job Profile functionality in Workday.
HRSTM is excited to share that the information previously found in the Job Wizard has been transitioned to the Job Profile in Workday. The essential job content has been transitioned, and additional enhancements are on the way. For more details on the study and ongoing updates, please visit the FY24 Classification and Compensation Study webpage.
Stay tuned for further updates, including webinars on how to navigate the Job Profile.
| |
Racial Healing Circles Being Offered in November by the MC Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Campus CenterThe College’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center has added a second Racial Healing Circle for the month of November. To learn more and register, please visit the TRHT Campus Center webpage.
The Next Racial Healing Circle:
The next Racial Healing Circle will be held Monday, November 20, 9:30 to 11 a.m., on the Germantown Campus, BE 160, and will be facilitated by Ken Nelson and Stacey Gustavson.
What to expect from a Racial Healing Circle:
A group of 10–20 diverse individuals from the College will meet for one and a half to two hours to go through a series of activities that help us get to know each other better. The idea is that if we know each other better as individuals, we can break down the hierarchy of who is important and who is not (the hierarchy of human value). By knowing each other better, we are better positioned to tackle the important policies, practices, and narratives that are barriers to fulfilling the mission of the College.
| |
MC Wellness: Nurturing Your Well-Being
At Montgomery College, we believe in empowering your well‑being through various employee activities and wellness initiatives. This week, we're quitting smoking with the Great American Smokeout, Turkey Trotting, and obtaining a free physical fitness assessment.
Embrace a Smoke-Free Day: The Great American Smokeout
The Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 16, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, encourages smokers to quit smoking for 24 hours and take the first step towards quitting smoking forever.
Both Kaiser and Cigna offer members free coaching to support efforts to stop smoking, and the Maryland Tobacco Quit Line is available for free at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669).
Access these resources to take the first step towards a healthier, smoke-free lifestyle:
MC Turkey Trot
Join MC Wellness, Student Life, and Exercise is Medicine for the 2023 MC Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 16, at 12:30 p.m., Rockville Campus track. Join us for a 3K run or -mile walk (join for as little or as long as your schedule permits). We also offer a virtual Zoom Turkey Workout at your desk at 10 a.m. and a Turkey Stretch at 3 p.m. Contact Megan Cooperman for Zoom links.
Free Physical Fitness and Well-Being Assessments
Join MC Wellness for free physical fitness and well-being assessments at Central Services (CT) on Tuesday, November 21, from noon–2 p.m. in S108 BOT Gallery.
Led by students and faculty of the Health Enhancement, Exercise Science, and Physical Education Department, these assessments offer insights into potential health risks and imbalances, empowering you to proactively enhance your well-being.
Testing includes heart rate, blood pressure screening, BIA testing, grip strength, mobility and strength assessments, and more. Wear comfy clothes and sneakers; assessments take 30-45 minutes. Megan Cooperman will answer wellness-related queries, and prizes await participants. Open to all employees, spouses, and retirees. Register in advance for a seamless experience!
| |
Recruiting: Hiring Part-Time Faculty for Spring 2024
The spring semester is right around the corner. Please begin planning and preparing for your spring 2024 part-time faculty (PTF) needs. In order to start on time, all PTF must complete the hiring process by Monday, January 8. If you have questions, please contact Roz Sanders or Josh Feranil for assistance with posting ads and/or the hiring process.
| |
Employee Matters on Hiatus Next Week
Due to the Thanksgiving holidays next week, Employee Matters will not publish on Wednesday, November 22, but will resume on Wednesday, November 29.
We wish all MC employees a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
| |
|
| Important DatesThursday, November 16“Spartan Chemical Training and Hazard Communication Standard Review,” 2–3 p.m. at Germantown Campus BE.
Friday, November 17“What’s Your MC Story?,”
1–2 p.m., in Workday.
“Tech-it Out,” 2–2:45 p.m. in Workday.
Monday, November 21“Microsoft Teams Essentials,”
9 a.m.–noon, in Workday.
Wednesday, November 22Early timesheet deadline due to Thanksgiving holidays: Timesheets for non-exempt (hourly) employees and Period Activity Pay for all part-time faculty and WDCE instructors are due in Workday by noon.
November 23–24 Thanksgiving holidays; College closed.
| |
- Building Services Worker
- Community Use Scheduler
- Construction Trades Worker
- Financial Aid Information Systems Specialist
- Nursing Program Manager II
- Part-time Communications Studies Instructor
- Part-time Faculty Peer 2 Peer (Student Health and Wellness Center)
- Part-time Faculty WDCE Literacy-GED Test Preparation Instructors
- Temporary - Nursing Lab and Clinical Associate
- Temporary - Theatre Arts Generalist - FOH
| |
Workday Support for Employees
| |
Become a Contributor for Employee MattersAre you interested in submitting an article for publication or becoming a regular columnist for Employee Matters?
We’re always looking for fresh College and employee-related content.
| |
Emergency Evacuation Accommodation It is important for all employees to have an emergency evacuation plan in place in the event of an emergency. Those who may need assistance during an evacuation due to a disability should consider identifying themselves to employers and building managers to aid in the planning process.
| |
The MC Wellness program offers online classes and
in-person classes daily for aqua fitness, cardio and strength circuits, desk stretching, pickleball, Pilates, Tai Ji, yoga, and Zumba.
All classes are complimentary for MC employees, their spouses, and retirees.
| |
Back Issues of Employee Matters Newsletter Online
Miss an issue? Find current
and previous issues of the Employee Matters newsletter, as well as other Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management (HRSTM) news and employee communications here.
| |
Join the MC Employees Facebook GroupStay in the know by joining the MC Employees Facebook group. This group is only open to Montgomery College employees and will require approval to join.
Join. Like. Comment. Share.
| |
|
