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In this Issue
As part of our vaccine and testing requirement, the Met Council has finalized the process for facilitating regular testing for employees who will not be vaccinated or are unable to be vaccinated. Remember that beginning Oct. 11, in order to report to onsite work, Met Council employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or get weekly COVID-19 tests and test negative.
Read the COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Requirement Procedure in Policy Central.
Read the regular all-staff COVID-19 emails as more details are shared around the testing process, including division-specific procedures, information for contractors, and more.
Human Resources hosted two Ask HR online sessions this week for managers and supervisors to help clarify details around the vaccination and testing requirement and procedure. If you could not attend, watch the recording of the Monday session on Stream.
We appreciate your questions and patience as we work out the details to facilitate this process and avoid work disruptions where possible. If you have any additional questions, let us know by filling out the online COVID-19 form.
Submit your proof of vaccination now
Employees who are vaccinated must submit documentation to Human Resources to verify vaccination status. The form for submitting proof of vaccination is now available in Employee Self Service (ESS): https://pspess.metc.state.mn.us.
In order to be exempt from weekly testing when it begins on Oct. 11, proof of vaccination must be submitted by Oct. 4. After this deadline, you may submit proof of vaccination at any time, but you may still be subject to weekly testing until your vaccination status is reviewed and approved by Human Resources. Review last week's COVID-19 email for instructions completing the form in ESS.
Provide proof of vaccination and get $150
Council members approved a vaccination incentive yesterday that will provide a $150 lump sum, cash incentive for every employee who has been fully vaccinated and submits their proof of vaccination through ESS.
Proof of vaccination must be submitted by Nov. 26, and the one-time payment will be included on the Dec. 10 paycheck. (Note: This payment is taxable.)
The action was included in the quarterly budget amendment item of the Sept. 22 Council meeting (watch the recording on our website).
If you like to manage people, workflows, costs, and supplies but don’t like limiting yourself to a particular field, the Project Manager Development Program (PMDP) may be the key to satisfying those needs!
Our new virtual curriculum provides the foundational skills you need to excel in project management, including topics like project planning, resource management, stakeholder analysis, quality control, risk management, and more. The program is designed to provide an understanding of fundamental project management concepts, introduce a variety of tools for successful project implementation, and teach reliable problem-solving techniques. Courses are taught by an expert instructor with years of relevant field expertise.
Employees interested in nomination to this 12-month professional development certificate program are encouraged to review the application information and nomination forms on the new PMDP MetNet site and talk with their manager. One-year equivalent supervision experience is granted upon completion of the program.
Completed application/nomination documents are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Sept. 30. Following a review of applications, one program cohort will be selected with the start in mid-October.
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Competencies are behaviors that represent “how” we work and are as important as “what” we do in our work. Competencies are your pathway to success as they identify behaviors essential to each level at the Met Council. Knowing what is expected at each level enables you to demonstrate your capabilities, focus on your development in your current role, and prepare you for future opportunities.
Although the Met Council has had a competency model in place for many years, it was refreshed in 2019. Along with updating it, the competencies have been integrated into human resource practices, such as hiring, performance management, and learning and development. Past newsletters shared information from employees who submitted stories about competencies in action and highlighted each of the core competencies.
A new Competencies page launched on the Human Resources MetNet site and is dedicated to competencies. On this page, you can find general information about competencies, examples of competencies in action, level-specific competencies, and additional resources, including trainings.
Coming soon! Development guides for expanding competencies will include each level’s competencies, recommended development activities, and links to additional resources.
We encourage you to visit the new MetNet page and explore the various competency materials on your pathway to success!
As we look at the classes and format we will offer in the future, the Learning and Organization Development (LOD) team values your opinions. Recently, several hundred participants in LOD instructor-led classes were asked to complete a survey providing input on their Learning Institute class experiences and format preferences.
Approximately 94% of 102 respondents agreed instructor-led classes helped develop competencies needed in their current role. When asked about developing competencies for their future career goals, 93% of respondents agreed participating in classes is preparing them for future assignments. Slightly more than half of the respondents preferred a blended approach of virtual and instructor-led classes.
Interested in more results? Review the LOD survey snapshot report (PDF).
Want to see the current schedule? View the Learning Institute schedule and flyers on MetNet.
Questions? Contact LearningInstitute@metc.state.mn.us.
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Cause a splash! Even in the cooler weather!
Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes, but did you know that we actually have more than that? In addition to being known for our bodies of water, we are also known for our water sports and recreational activities. There is no shortage of ways to get active outside on the water.
Here are a few ideas:
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Go canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding. You can rent watercrafts through Three Rivers Park District and Minnesota State Parks. You can also rent a canoe at Bde Maka Ska and paddle through the Minneapolis chain of lakes.
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Try aquatic exercises (e.g., water aerobics). You can take classes at your local health club or try these eight pool exercises on your own.
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Just play! Swim around, play on floats, use kickboards or boogie boards, or dive to the bottom to find treasures.
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Make your own water fun. Turn on the hose or sprinkler and make your own water park, water slide, water obstacles, or water games.
For more information, ideas, or support, contact FitForLife@metc.state.mn.us.
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