Message from the Director
Be an Intentionally Inclusive Leader
As cooler air and shorter days are ahead, so are a number of state recognized holidays and events. Let’s take a moment to reflect on what we recognize, celebrate, and bring awareness to within our workplaces. Are these events inclusive of all employees? If you have not seen the Calendar of Holidays and Festivals published by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, I encourage you to not just review it, but discuss it with your leadership teams and staff. Give thought and take action as to how you can use this information to be an intentionally inclusive leader.
The Office of Workforce Engagement, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team is gearing up to launch a long-term DEI focused learning cohort. It is the team’s goal “to further the implementation of equitable and inclusive policies and practices through collective and cooperative learning across multiple state agencies.” A shout out to this team for putting words to action and to agency diversity officers, human resource professionals, learning leaders, and others for working together to bring momentum and focus to building and maintaining inclusive workplaces.
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Workforce Management
Introducing DHRM’s Workforce Development Team!
In support of DHRM’s areas of strategic focus, we are excited to introduce DHRM’s Workforce Development team. Effective September 1, the Commonwealth of Virginia Learning Center (COVLC) Administration Team, previously part of DHRM’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), and the Learning & Development Team merged to create the Workforce Development Team.
Now part of DHRM’s Human Resources Consulting Services (HRCS) office, Workforce Development Team members include: Deanna Goldstein, Workforce Development Director; A.T. Hamilton, Virginia Learning Center Administrator; Jon Carpenter, E-Learning Coordinator; Mary Coleman, Virginia Learning Center Helpdesk Administrator; and Sarah Frame, Virginia Management Fellows Program Coordinator.
Our new team looks forward to working with agencies as we create the future of workforce development for state government. We welcome the opportunity to work with you! See more...
Start Spreading the News: Virginia is Open for Business!
DHRM is partnering with the Virginia Employment Commission to host the first All State Agency Virtual Job Fair on October 14 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. This event is a great opportunity to engage with Commonwealth top talent and share information about employment opportunities within your agency. This is a no cost approach to retain state employees and fill the more than 1,500 open positions posted across agencies.
The event is part of the collaboration within the Recruiting Network Action Team. Please contact allen.blair@dhrm.virginia.gov for questions about the event or to join the Recruiting Network Action team.
Revised Virginia Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of COVID-19
The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry's (DOLI) Revised Virginia Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of COVID-19 will go into effect as of October 8, 2021. Please review and compare the requirements for the revised standard and adapt your agency's Safety Policy specific to COVID-19 to ensure compliance with the DOLI Revised Standard. Please reach out to DOLI if you have questions.
Annual Leave Carryover for 2021
Agencies are reporting that many employees have not been able to use their accrued leave time again this year. We will provide another exception to Policy 4.10, Annual Leave Usage and Carryover, as described in the attached guide. Please make a special note regarding requirements for leave pay-outs. Managers should continue to work with their employees to enable them to take time off periodically to recover and recharge.
Annual Performance Evaluations for 2021
The current Annual Performance Evaluation cycle ends on October 24. Please advise agency supervisors and managers that it is time to complete performance evaluations for all non-probationary classified employees and to update Employee Work Profiles (EWP) for the new performance cycle which begins on October 25.
Note: As communicated in our August 16 memo regarding DHRM Updates for Cardinal Release 1 and Release 2 Agencies:
- All agencies will be required to input performance management scores from the current performance management cycle into Cardinal HCM post go live.
- R1 agencies should input their data into Cardinal HCM no later than November 1.
- R2 agencies will input their data retroactively into Cardinal HRM. Deadline to be communicated at R2 go-live.
Agency Workforce Plans Due September 30
Agencies should submit their FY21 Workforce Plans to the Workforce Planning mailbox (dhrm.wfp@dhrm.virginia.gov) by September 30, 2021. Please reference the following resources on the Workforce Planning web page to help you complete your agency’s plan:
Workforce Planning Template – Note: the version posted on the DHRM website is the most current version of the template. Using older versions may not have all updates included; Workforce Planning FAQs FY2021; Instructions for WFP FY2021 Template; FY21 Update for Workforce Planning; FY21 Overview for Workforce Planning Template; and Series of Webinars Supporting the Workforce Planning Process.
Grievance Hearing Case Fee Increasing
The flat fee for state employee grievance hearings will be increasing to $2,100 for cases appointed to a hearing officer beginning October 1, 2021. DHRM received approval to increase the rate from DPB to account for program costs that have gradually risen over time. For more details about grievance hearing fees, please access the EDR website.
Engagement
October 11 is Indigenous Peoples Day
Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates the culture of Native Americans and their contributions to our history. This observance coincides with the Columbus Day/Yorktown Victory Day holiday in the Commonwealth. See more about Indigenous Peoples Day from the National Museum of the American Indian.
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Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October
The Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) is partnering with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) in the annual communications campaign to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October. The theme for the 2021 campaign is America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion. The Commonwealth supports an environment of inclusivity for all employees, including individuals with disabilities. Throughout the month, DHRM, DARS, and DBVI will be providing information and education through social media and email. We ask for your support and encourage your agency to participate in this annual event.
Free Flu Shot Drive-Thru on October 15 and 29
COVA Care, COVA HDHP and COVA Health Aware members in Central Virginia have the option once again this year to get a free flu shot in two drive-thru clinics administered by Capitol Square Healthcare at John Tyler Community College. The clinics will occur from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm in a covered parking garage at the Midlothian campus. Covered spouses and children 4 years and older may also participate. Photo ID, health plan ID card, and mask wearing required.
It's Time to Donate to the CVC!
If you are passionate about giving back to your community, the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) is the one for you! There are many avenues for engagement during the campaign, which runs from October 1 - December 31 if you want to donate through payroll deduction. You can donate funds through CVC or directly to a cause dear to your heart. You can donate your talent by volunteering with one or more of the participating charitable organizations. You can lead your own campaign through the peer-to-peer fundraising platform. And you can spread the word throughout your network. Your engagement in this year’s campaign will be invaluable. Many non-profits have suffered fiscal loss during the pandemic, thus having less of an impact within the communities they serve. This year we can help many of these non-profits bounce back through our engagement in CVC. Virginia is For Givers!
Technology
Cardinal Release 1 - Final Countdown!
In collaboration with DOA and the entire Cardinal Project Team, DHRM is excited to share that we are only days away from the go-live of Release 1 agencies in the Commonwealth's new HCM system, Cardinal! Please continue to watch for DHRM and Cardinal communications closely as many exciting new things are still to come. For Cardinal related questions and/or support, please refer to the Issue Resolution Job Aid (Release 1 agencies) or continue to reach out to your Cardinal Project Liaison (Release 2 agencies).
Comings and Goings...
Office of Workforce Engagement: We have said farewell to Nancy Elfino, who worked with passion and dedication on the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) for many years. Nancy is pursuing other opportunities and we wish her well!
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