This online orientation module focuses on welcoming new staff to the university community. It equips new employees with tools to navigate our decentralized institution. 

Learning Objectives

You will learn to:

• Define which U-M policies apply in various situations

• Utilize employee support resources and optional benefits

• Identify the benefits available to new employees

• Select benefits plans appropriate to individual needs

The early stages of a new employee's U-M career is an exciting time. It is also a great opportunity to help them settle in and set them up for success in their new role. There are two redesigned tools intended to enhance the new employee experience. Join us during one of these sessions to learn about: 

Looking to practice your interviewing skills in a fun and engaging manner? This session will help you enhance your understanding of behavior-based interviewing techniques. You will also have a chance to practice with an avatar in a virtual environment. Done right, this approach promotes consistency. It also helps interviewers understand how candidates' skills align with the job requirements. 

Psychological safety is essential for creating a positive work culture where individuals feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute their best. It fosters open communication, learning, collaboration and innovation, ultimately leading to higher performance and organizational success. This course will explore what psychological safety is (and is not) and how leaders can contribute to a positive, values-based workplace culture.

Effective communication is the foundation of success at work. It enables individuals and organizations to:

• Achieve their goals
• Foster positive relationships
• Navigate challenges effectively

Being an effective communicator means knowing yourself and how to expertly navigate conversations. This course will explore communication in the workplace through the  Straight Talk® system developed by communications expert and organizational leadership consultant Eric Douglas. 

Leaders and supervisors play an important role in supporting the mental health and well-being of their teams. In this interactive session, you will learn best practices and strategies to recognize and respond to mental and emotional health concerns in the workplace. 

A feedback-rich workplace culture is vital to individual, team and organizational success, but feedback isn’t always easy to give or receive. This interactive course will provide practical strategies for giving and receiving feedback gracefully and constructively. 

This course is part of the Leadership Development Curriculum, but can be taken as a standalone offering.

A successful hiring process is an important part of building a positive organizational culture. It will help you find staff who can quickly contribute to your team. This course aims to equip hiring teams with:

• A comprehensive understanding of inclusive practices and tools

• A deep dive into all stages of the recruiting and hiring process

• Approaches to help mitigate potential biases throughout the hiring process 

Class discussions and activities will allow participants to put learning into practice. 

In June 2022, U-M enacted an Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility official policy. The policy covers digital formats such as websites, documents and software programs. Digital accessibility applied consistently avoids potential barriers for individuals with disabilities. This introductory course will provide an overview of:

Leaders play an important role in preventing workplace issues and wrongdoing. This course gives leaders tools and strategies to create a more welcoming and respectful work environment. Interactive discussions, case studies, and role-playing exercises will enhance learning. Leaders will be more prepared to: