The COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we know it, both personally and professionally.  While we are still navigating the pandemic, there is good reason to make more lasting changes to Drake’s workforce management philosophy and practices. In other words, now is an excellent time to reconceptualize the way we work at Drake. To accomplish this, we need to consider what the workforce can and should look like in a post-pandemic setting.

The Task Force is charged with making recommendations about policy development and you can help inform that work. The Task Force will primarily be focusing on policies addressing remote work and flexible work schedules for staff. Help us gain insight into your experience, concerns, and suggestions relating to these topics as we consider how to best navigate forward.

There are three easy ways you can provide input:

1. Complete a short pulse survey. It will only take a minute—unless you have a lot to say—then it may take two. Please complete the survey by the end of the business day on Friday, Aug. 6.
2. Attend one of two virtual brain-storming sessions. You can tune in on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. by clicking on this 5 Teams meeting link, or you can join the discussion on Friday, Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. by clicking on this Aug. 6 Teams meeting link. Maureen De Armond, the new HR Executive Director, will facilitate the sessions. You’ll learn a little more about the Task Force and be given opportunities to share your thoughts and hear what others have to say.
3. Email your ideas to drakehr@drake.edu. Just use this subject line: Message for Task Force and we’ll relay the message.

As a reminder, until new policies are adopted, managers will continue to rely on existing policies and use their discretionary authority to make decisions regarding to what degree some remote work and flexible scheduling may continue into the fall semester. The Task Force is hoping to present recommendations for consideration in October. The formal adoption of new policies and procedures will occur after that and will be coupled with campus communications and training opportunities.

Thank you for sharing your ideas. Your input is both needed and valued!

— Maureen De Armond, Executive Director, Human Resources