The Offices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Human Resources have partnered with Employment Learning Innovations, Inc. (ELI) to launch a new communication and professional development initiative for all NEOMED staff and Rootstown-based faculty. This new program of facilitated sessions centers around the topic of civil treatment, with the goal of providing practical knowledge and skills to help us advance the University’s commitment to inclusion.
A major focus of the employees’ facilitated discussions is to encourage faculty and staff to feel comfortable going to their managers to communicate any concerns. In many workplaces, it can be intimidating to take this step. Out of discomfort or fear of negative consequences, employees may avoid it, choosing instead to confide in a peer who isn’t empowered to change the situation.
Since the discussions began in June, “The leaders who have participated shared they feel better versed in identifying issues, and understanding how to address them. They are working to create an environment where employees feel more comfortable speaking up,’’ said Barbara Tobias, director of human resources. She added, “NEOMED is committed to building a higher level of awareness and commitment to the topic of civility, and will continue to strive to maintain an inclusive workplace where all employees are engaged, productive and treated fairly.”
By now, most all employees in management roles have completed the facilitated discussions. Non-management employees are currently participating in the facilitated discussion sessions, with the goal of having all NEOMED employees complete these sessions by the end of 2017. While the initial sessions for current employees will end soon, opportunities for all new hires and newly appointed managers will be provided moving forward. In addition, concepts from the discussions will be reinforced over time through various platforms, and refresher courses will become available in the future.
NEOMED is committed to building a higher level of awareness and commitment to the topic of civility, and will continue to strive to maintain a workplace where all employees are engaged, productive and treated fairly.