PML 95-08 February 17, 1995 Page 1 State of California MEMORANDUM DATE: February 17, 1995 TO: PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT LIAISONS REFERENCE CODE: 95-08 THIS MEMORANDUM SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO: TRAINING OFFICERS FROM: Department of Personnel Administration Benefits and Training Division SUBJECT: Support Staff Recognition Activities As many of you are aware, the week of April 24-28 has been designated for recognition of support personnel, especially clerical and allied services workers. The Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) and the California State Employees' Association (CSEA) have made a joint commitment to highlight this week with a variety of activities designed to focus on support staff development including upward mobility opportunities and career related training. The purpose of this memorandum is to encourage departments to plan activities which recognize support staff, especially during the week of April 24-28. The following are suggested training and awareness activities that departments may wish to consider, subject to budgetary constraints and operational needs. Upward Mobility Policies and Individual Development Plans This would be a particularly appropriate time for departments to revisit the issue of upward mobility and make sure that employees have a copy of the department's upward mobility policy and that they are aware of and have access to relevant information related to upward mobility opportunities that exist within State service. Supervisors should also be encouraged to dedicate part of the week to working with employees who wish to develop a training plan. The Individual Development Plans (IDP) that is part of the Annual Performance Appraisal is one way to do this, but departments are encouraged to customize a process to meet their specific needs. If your supervisors have never been trained to do career development counseling, now may be an ideal time to provide them with additional information and skill development in this area. DPA will be providing additional information to Department Training Officers in the next few week to assist them in developing career counseling job aids and guidelines for supervisors. PML 95-08 February 17, 1995 Page 2 Special Training Programs We would like to request that departments focus some resources and energy into providing special training programs during the last week in April, (or some other week that is more convenient because of workload constraints.) Program topics that are important for employees who are interested in improving their current skills and enhancing their ability to promote include analytical skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills are most appropriate. In addition, one hour "brown bag" sessions related to the civil service system, community college resources, networking, interview preparation, and many other informational topics would be well received. Speakers may be available from organizations such at Toastmasters that would be willing to talk about their speech programs at no charge. DPA will coordinate a speakers exchange, a film festival and other support activities that may be useful to departments in planning activities for the week. Information will be provided on these activities at a later date. Individuals who would be willing to share experiences or expertise that would be helpful in preparing employees for career development should contact Bill Mosier at the State Training Center at 324-4052 (CALNET 454-4052) or FAX a brief career synopsis to the Training Center at 324-4050. Leadership and Mentoring Without a doubt, one of the most important elements in the development of anyone's career is the support of supervisors and colleagues in mentoring and guiding the career vision of an employee. Some individuals have attained a reputation for their ability to successfully mentor and support upwardly mobile employees, either through their own personal example of success or their willingness to provide guidance and training to subordinate staff. We would like departments to identify such individuals and make them available to employees during this week as advisors and speakers. A list of individuals interested in mentoring may be helpful and feature articles in departmental newsletters profiling mentor employees would be a special form of recognition. CSEA's Commitment CSEA annually sponsors a variety of activities related to Support Staff Week. In the past, these have included noontime rallies, job fairs and other activities related to career awareness. This year they will continue to sponsor activities as well as support department efforts in any way that they can. DPA anticipates that in the next few months CSEA will use its organizational newsletters and magazines to assist us in getting the word out to employees. Departments are reminded that any activities planned should include, if feasible, employees in all areas of the State. District offices, institutions and field locations should be encouraged to participate at their location utilizing local resources. Also, to the extent that departments give DPA advance notice of planned activities, DPA will assist in advertising these events. Additional information will be forthcoming in the next few months. If you have any questions or ideas about Support Services Week, please contact Bill Mosier at 324-4052 (CALNET 454-4052). Patricia Pavone, Chief Benefits and Training Division