A weekly snapshot that captures important university updates, work across VPFO departments, and relevant resources.
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Operations updates
Building Operations, Custodial Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Energy & Water Services, Infrastructure Development, and Municipal Service
- Construction begins on UBC’s Recreation Centre North: Construction is underway on a new recreation centre that will triple the amount of indoor fitness and recreation space at UBC Vancouver campus. The new facility will feature three gyms, indoor track, and state-of-the-art fitness centre. Read more
- Project teams are working diligently to minimize impact: Many construction projects have planned for noisy work to be completed during the summer months, however, due to delays in materials and resource shortages, some of the work is continuing into the fall and impacting students, faculty, and staff. Learn more
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- September Financial Operations service delivery levels: The September dashboards are now available to view on the UBC Finance website. Learn more
- Employees now able to generate their own Employment Verification Letter: Current UBC employees can create their own employment verification letter in Workday. For guidance on how to create your employment verification letter, see Generate Employment Verification Letter in the Workday Knowledge Base. Learn more
- Enhanced alignment of business objectives with the VPFO Strategic Plan with Envisio: As of September, every department in the VPFO has entered their business plans into Envisio. This is the beginning of enhanced alignment with our Strategic Plan and visibility into our progress. Thank you all teams for your support! Read more
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Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- Protect yourself from the flu: As of today, flu vaccines will be available at community pharmacies across BC. Book your flu vaccine through the provincial government’s Get Vaccinated system and locate a clinic on ImmunizeBC. Visit srs.ubc.ca/flu for more info, including pharmacies on campus where you can receive your flu vaccine.
- Attend the annual Security Awareness Week by UBC Campus Security: The annual Security Awareness Week will be held from Oct 24–28. Meet Campus Security and our community partners and learn about theft prevention and safety & security on campus. Learn more
- Safety Day was a huge success: On Oct 4, Joint Occupational Health and Safety (JOHSC) Committee and Local Safety Team members across UBC gathered to network, celebrate and learn. The event was a huge success with the largest attendance ever — 245 people! Read more
- New communications toolkits available: Communications & Engagement created toolkits to help you share information about the annual Great BC Shakeout on October 20 and the flu clinics on campus. Access the toolkits
- Using the correct style, tone & voice in your communications: The words and images that we use contribute to the telling of UBC’s story, so it’s important to be in line with the university’s brand voice and editorial style. Find UBC’s editorial guide, ready-to-use “About UBC” information and more on the VPFO Communications & Engagement website.
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People of the VPFO
At the VPFO, we love celebrating success! Join us every week in recognizing the great work our VPFO team members are doing to support the university.
Facilities
- Custodial Services and Buiding Operations' moving crew, carpenters and steamfitters – In August, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre users reported leak stains on the acoustic ceiling tiles, which are made from polyester fiber and are at least 20 feet high from the ground. The teams worked together to investigate and fix the leak and clean up the stains from the tiles at the busy building. Thanks to all the crews for their flexibility and coordinated effort!
Safety & Risk Services
- Teela Narsih, Safety Advisor - Safety Programs — Special thanks to Teela for your leadership through Safety Day 2022. It was a resounding success thanks to your leadership and a keen team of volunteers. Great work!
Communications & Engagement
- Yvonne Kwok, Communications Manager – Shout out to Yvonne for being an amazing team player who always listens and provides thoughtful and timely feedback. Keep up the great work!
Well done! Want to give someone a shout out in the next edition? Submit a kudos in your local recognition program or email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca
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- Melissa Vincent joins Infrastructure Development within Facilities as the CAD Technician today.
- Farewell to Norman Kotze, Associate, Emergency & Continuity Planning. His last day is October 14. Thank you for all that you've accomplished at Safety & Risk Services (SRS)!
- Linda Roseborough, Health, Safety & Wellness Advisor is leaving us on October 21 after 17 years at UBC. Linda has been an integral part of SRS and has provided strong support and leadership to many UBC initiatives, including the VPFO EDI Committee. You will be missed, but we wish you all the very best!
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All positions at UBC are available on the UBC HR Careers website, or through the career application in your Workday account. Please note that applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the posting end date. The following VPFO positions are currently open:
- Patrol Officer II (JR9875) – 2022-10-19
- Information Security Risk Advisor (JR9954) – 2022-10-21
- Trades 2 - Access Control Tech Locksmith (JR10001) – 2022-10-28
- Manager, PIA Operations & Engagement (JR9997) – 2022-10-28
Don't forget to apply as an internal candidate! Please review the Apply for an Internal Job Posting guide in the Workday Knowledge Base for instructions on how to apply. Reminder to attach a copy of your resume when you apply for a career opportunity in Workday.
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Get Ready to ShakeOut and learn about earthquakes with Seismologist, Alison Bird
On October 20, 2022, practice how to DROP, COVER and HOLD ON at 10:20 a.m. during the annual Great BC ShakeOut. Tour UBC’s Earthquake Engineering Research Facility and attend the SAN ANDREAS movie screening complete with live, scientific commentary from Natural Resources Canada Seismologist, Alison Bird. All events are free and open to the public.
As part of ShakeOut, UBC will be testing its emergency notification system, UBC Alert. Students, faculty and staff will receive a test notification by text and voice message on October 20, 2022. The test will also run on our campus-wide digital signage systems.
Attend an earthquake event at UBC
Share your best ‘Drop, Cover and Hold on’ and tag @ubc on Twitter and @universityofbc on Instagram! We all have a role in protecting ourselves and making our campus safe.
Learn more: ready.ubc.ca/shakeout
Pilot project to increase compliance with UBC Required Training
This month, staff who are not up to date on their UBC Required Training will receive a notification in Workday. Managers also have access to a report that outlines compliance for their team(s).
Please keep an eye out for this new notification and check that you are up to date on your UBC Required Training. Further instructions on how to enroll in training and check your records in Workday will be available in the Workday notification.
Later this fall, the project team will be interested in your experience and feedback throughout the pilot. This will inform our approach as we expand the notifications to all employees across the university.
Led by Safety & Risk Services in collaboration with VP Human Resources and UBC IT, this project aims to increase compliance with required training, as mandated by legislation and UBC policies.
If you have questions about the training UBC offers, please contact support.wpl@ubc.ca.
Have questions about the UBC Benefits plan? Sign-up for our Nov. 8 webinar today!
Our ever-popular Benefits Webinar is back on for the Fall season. We are inviting all faculty and staff at both campuses to join us on Tuesday, November 8, from 11 am - 12 pm via Zoom to find about:
- Which benefits you are eligible for
- What your benefits cover and where to find more information
- How to make claims using your benefits
- And much more...
In addition to learning more about our benefits, you will also be hearing more about our Employee and Family Assistance Plan and taking a close look at Tuition Waivers.
Sign-up and submit your questions
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Some interesting news articles our team members have found informative, helpful, or fun! These are provided for information and entertainment only. Unless noted, UBC doesn’t specifically endorse or supply this content.
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HR has collected mental health resources to help you manage your ups and downs. To view workshops, webinars and events visit the HR event listing.
Our VPFO HR staff is always available for a confidential conversation. Refer to this service map to connect with the HR Advisor supporting your area.
Access the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) confidential services, through LifeWorks, by calling 1-866-424-0770.
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