policies
Involved and Informed Staff – A Policy Statement
The University at Buffalo Libraries Administration endorses staff involvement in setting strategic directions. Strategic direction Action Group recommendations often include the formation of new committees or follow-up groups and programs requiring staff involvement. Indeed, the entire strategic direction setting effort has focused on an involved and informed staff.
The University Libraries Administration, with the support of the Management Advisory Group (MAG), encourages unit heads, departmental supervisors and staff to work together to develop plans for such involvement. Such plans would include determining what activities are a likely fit for each staff member and assessing the level of commitment to those activities. A mutually agreeable plan, including time allocation, should be developed through staff-supervisor consultations. A discussion of short term and long term goals for staff is done annually for the performance program and appraisal; that is a good time to discuss commitments and contributions to the Libraries and active involvement in committees or interest groups.
Similarly, we all benefit from an informed and highly skilled staff. Every effort should be made to develop training and skills development goals, again within the context of the annual program and appraisal cycle. Individual staff members are encouraged to discuss training and development needs with his or her supervisor and set a reasonable plan.
A major concern for staff is time. When staff and supervisors work on reasonable goals and plans together, adequate time allocations to fulfill these goals and plans must be considered and agreed upon. The University Libraries Administration and MAG support such reasonable allocations of time and the resources to accomplish those goals and plans. Staff are encouraged to be actively involved in Libraries initiatives and in individual development programs, and Unit Heads and supervisors will support such reasonable involvement.
Endorsed by the Libraries Management Advisory Group
July 2003
Content provider: Ken Hood
Comments: lib-staffweb@buffalo.edu
Last update:
29 October, 2004