Being recognized again as an employer of choice in Manitoba reflects our strong connection to the local and global community and our dedication to supporting employee growth and well-being.

While we celebrate this recognition, we remain committed to continuous progress – enhancing equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion, improving workplace experiences and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

The announcement was published in the Winnipeg Free Press and the selection criteria can be found on the Canada’s Top 100 website.

Interested in a career at UM? Find out more about the opportunities and benefits to working at UM.

This opportunity is designed to support UM faculty and staff in deepening their understanding of the cultural and historical contexts of Indigenous peoples in Manitoba and across Canada.

“Coming from a diverse cultural background, I learned a lot about Indigenous cultures, histories, and learning styles. The course helped me understand perspectives I had not explored before and provided valuable takeaways.

The program was welcoming and inclusive, and the resource persons were passionate and supportive. I now feel more confident in understanding and respecting Indigenous knowledge, which will help me connect better with people from all backgrounds.” – Deepika Kalluri (she/her), Co-operative Education Coordinator, I.H. Asper School of Business

Whether you’re looking for tools to support your work with a diverse student population or enhance your course content, the Summer Institute for Literacy in Indigenous Content offers a valuable experience.

Secure your spot early!

Space is limited to 80 participants this year due to field trips and in-person events. Once enrolled, you will receive a confirmation email and access to the UMLearn site for the course.

Register now!

Take meaningful action

Aligned with the University of Manitoba’s Truth and Reconciliation Framework, the program supports core commitments with discussions covering Indigenous research methods, addressing race in the classroom and provides approaches for incorporating Indigenous content into courses.

Hybrid delivery

This year’s delivery will be hybrid, with sessions delivered on zoom and recorded for later viewing, and two in-person commitments.

Please note that the two in-person sessions will not be recorded:

• May 13^th: In-person at Migizi Agamik on the Fort Garry Campus.
• June 27^th: Full-day in community at Brokenhead Reserve (buses will depart from the Fort Garry Campus).

Participants are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible to make the most of this training. Those who attend or view all sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion.

TRC’s Calls to Action

The Summer Institute is a response to the TRC’s Call to Action #57, which calls upon provincial employees to learn the history of Indigenous peoples including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Indigenous rights, Indigenous law, and Indigenous-Crown relations through skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism.

As an employer of choice, UM strives to create an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered. This national recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering a workplace where diversity thrives, equity is prioritized, and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. 

The announcement was published in today’s Globe and Mail, and the selection criteria can be found on the Canada’s Top 100 website. 

Join us in celebrating this achievement and discover what makes UM one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.

Interested in a career at UM? Find out more about open roles on the Careers website.

The program is a peer-based program and uses subject matter experts or “Skill Experts” who can offer training on specific on-demand topics. When faculties or units have an employee with a specific training need, they can request a training session with one of the Skill Experts identified with expertise on that topic.

Benefits of the UM Skills Sharing program include:

• Improved consistency of standard processes and sharing of best practices.
• Enhanced support and resources for new and existing support staff.
• Increased opportunities for support staff to upskill and develop pathways for future career opportunities.
• Opportunity for support staff to build their internal professional networks.

Current Skills Share training opportunities include academic-related processes suitable for administrative roles involved in academic processes, and administrative committee work suitable for administrative roles that include supporting faculty and unit committees.

Interested in becoming a Skill Expert or participating in a Skills Share training session?

Visit the UM Intranet for more details on current offerings.   Employees are encouraged to speak to their managers to participate in the program. Managers are asked to email skillshare@umanitoba.ca when a Skill Expert is identified or to make a request for training.

Learning & Organizational Development (LOD) has announced that registration is open for January 2025 workshops. LOD programs and services are fully funded by Human Resources as part of its commitment to employee development, with courses available exclusively to University of Manitoba employees.

All UM employees can visit the LODreg web page right now to view available programs. February workshops and sessions will open for registration in early January.

Some workshops that may interest you include:

Training: Design & Development
If you are ever called upon to train others, this half-day workshop will give you a solid foundation in the training design models used in LOD to support people to learn new skills in a collaborative and engaging environment.

Managing the Respectful Workplace
We all hold a responsibility to avoid behaviours that, even unintentionally, may reasonably offend, intimidate, embarrass or humiliate others.  This workshop explores ways that all of us, and especially those with people management responsibilities, can support a respectful workplace.

Influencing Change
Using influence to initiate and support change means having an impact on achieving results and being able to recognize the key moments, or conversations, where you can make a difference.

Change Models and Methods
There are several models and methods to approach, implement, coordinate and support change. In this workshop, participants will review the characteristics of several common change models and explore the strengths and challenges of each.

Introduction to Human Resources
This workshop explores the human resources aspects of the employee life cycle. While this is the first workshop in the UM Human Resources Essentials Program, it can be taken as a stand-alone workshop for those who want to learn more about human resource management at the university.

Introduction to Management
Learn the fundamentals about setting strategy, creating values, and developing management styles, along with practicing basic coaching skills. While this is the first workshop in the UM Management Fundamentals Program, it can be taken on its own by anyone who wants to learn about managing and supervising others at the university.

This is just a sampling of the available workshops. You can find course details and registration information on these and other workshops on the LOD website. 

Remember to check the website regularly in the coming months to view more sessions and dates as the winter unfolds.

Registration for new workshops typically opens six to eight weeks in advance, so employees are encouraged to regularly check back for workshop of interest.

For information on all of the LOD services and resources, visit the Career Development intranet page.

Having made the decision to retire relatively suddenly, Janine quickly realized that adjusting to retirement came with some challenges. Her experience is far from uncommon. In fact, retirement, while exciting, often brings a mix of emotions. The anticipation of newfound freedom can also stir up feelings of discomfort and uneasiness.

In recognition of the complexities of this life transition, the Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs), through UM Family Resources, and the help of the Pension Office and Human Resources, has developed a number of resources to support staff and faculty as they navigate the non-financial aspects of retirement.

Tracey Peter, Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs), says, “We strive to support our community members throughout their entire academic and professional journey. This project reflects a commitment to a robust, comprehensive, and holistic approach to retirement planning. By addressing the emotional considerations of this transition, we aim to complement UM’s existing financial planning resources.”

Road to Retirement: non-financial considerations

Road to Retirement is a self-directed course now available on UM Learn, designed to help guide staff and faculty through the emotional and psychological impacts of retirement.

As highlighted in the course, “Too few people consider the psychological adjustments that accompany this life stage, which can include coping with the loss of your career identity, replacing support networks you had through work, spending more time than ever before with your spouse and finding new and engaging ways to stay active.” (source: Jamie Chamberlin, Monitor on Psychology, January 2014)

The course also includes a new Retirement Readiness checklist for both academics and support staff to outline potential steps in the preparation process.

To access the course, visit UM Learn and sign in using your UM email and password. Once logged in, click on ‘Self Registration’ and select: Road to Retirement.

Retirement Readiness Peer Network

The Retirement Readiness Peer Network is for UM staff and faculty nearing retirement who may have questions or concerns about the impact of this significant life transition. Held once per term, usually over the lunch hour, these sessions provide a supportive space for peers to share their thoughts and emotions about the retirement journey. Sessions will vary in structure, sometimes featuring a guest speaker, a panel discussion, or dedicated networking session.

The inaugural session is Friday, December 13^th featuring UM retiree Janine Harasymchuk as the guest speaker. To learn more about Janine and to register, visit the event listing.

Francene Perehinec, Family Resource Coordinator, says, “For many of us, our work plays a significant role in our lives and shapes our sense of identity. Transitioning from our professional roles brings many changes, and approaching this shift thoughtfully can be incredibly helpful. We hope these new resources will be a valuable asset to UM staff and faculty.”

Find more retirement planning resources on the Retirement Planning intranet page.

As reflected in UM’s new strategic plan, MomentUM, the well-being of our community is a core value and we are committed to ensuring that our campuses are a supportive, inclusive, and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Mental health and well-being mean different things to different people. That is why the Task Force on Mental Health and Well-being established a subcommittee to engage in community consultations with students, staff, and faculty, to understand how to better support and advance mental health and well-being across our UM community. What are we doing well in supporting mental health? Where can we improve? Your insights are essential to informing a strategy that truly reflects the needs of our diverse community.

Share your insights

A feedback form has been created to allow community members to share their experiences, challenges, and suggestions. This form is anonymous, private, and confidential.

In-person and virtual consultation events will also take place throughout the Fall Term. These events will be by invitation to targeted groups to ensure a wide range of perspectives are heard.

Please take the time to share your thoughts and help shape the future of mental health at the University of Manitoba.

Speakers will provide information on a number of topics including an overview of the Pension Plan, and the pension benefit payout options available, wills and estate planning, government benefits, taxes and retiree benefits.

An additional informational session on Nov. 14 is open to all plan members who would like general information on the Pension Plan, long-term financial planning, wills, power of attorney, health care directives, family law matters and retiree benefits.

Registration is required through your Learning and Organizational Development account. Please ensure it is active prior to registering. Participants will be contacted through email by the Pension Office after registration closes.

Retirement planning sessions

Registration and attendance is limited to those who are within five years of retirement. You will be automatically enrolled in part 2.

Registration closes before noon on October 25, 2024, and is limited to 20 attendees per session.

• Session 1 – Part 1 
  Date: Nov. 13, 2024
  Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  Location: 108 St John’s College, Fort Garry campus
• Session 1 – Part 2 
  Date: Nov. 14, 2024
  Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Location: Virtual*

• Session 2 – Part 1
  Date: Nov. 13, 2024
  Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  Location: Virtual
• Session 2 – Part 2 
  Date: Nov. 14, 2024
  Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Location: Virtual*

• Session 3 – Part 1 
  Date: Nov. 14, 2024
  Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Location: Virtual*
• Session 3 – Part 2 
  Date: Nov. 15, 2024
  Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  Location: Virtual

* The link to the presentation will also be circulated and made available for up to thirty days after the last session.

Information session: Thinking ahead long-term to your retirement

Registration and attendance is open to all plan members. Registration closes before noon on Oct. 31, 2024.

• Information session 
  Date: Nov. 14, 2024
  Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Location: Virtual

Questions about the sessions can be directed to the Pension Office, at Pension.Office@umanitoba.ca.

The LOD workshop registration page (LODReg) also lists sessions that can enhance your knowledge of Microsoft 365 products, boost your accessibility knowledge or teach you more about Aurora Finance, with sessions facilitated by subject matter experts across our institution. 

“LOD provides training and development opportunities intended for support and administrative staff,” says Sandra Woloschuk, Associate Director, Learning and Organizational Development in Human Resources. All LOD programs and services are fully funded by Human Resources and there is no cost or chargeback to units or departments. 

So, what are some of the fall workshops you should know about?

“New this fall is our “Inclusive Hiring Practices” workshop,” says Woloschuk. “This three-hour workshop explores implicit bias and how it can impact decision making, particularly in the hiring process. Attendees will learn how to recognize bias and practice practical strategies and techniques to address both individual and systemic bias.”

“One of our most requested training topics relates to change,” continues Woloschuk. “We offer a three-hour workshop on “Influencing Change” that provides guidance on how to use influence to impact how we achieve results, communicate, collaborate, and commit to action.”

“Training: Design and Development” is another course available this fall. “Anyone who is, or may be asked to, develop training or to participate in training others can benefit from learning the simple instructional design model we use in LOD and following the the step-by-step process and templates that we provide in the workshop,” says Woloschuk.

Other sessions available this fall include:

• Presentation Skills
• Managing the Respectful Workplace
• Project Management
• Introduction to Human Resources
• Introduction to Management 

This is just a sampling of the available workshops. You can find course details and registration information on these and other workshops on the LOD website. 

Remember to check the website regularly in the coming months to view more sessions and dates as the fall unfolds.

Happy learning!

The micro-certificate consists of three courses: EDIA 0102: Expansions, EDIA 0104: Actions, and EDIA 0106: Reflections. Rooted in competency-based education, the courses focus on critical reflection of the learner’s knowledge, skills and lived experience and building capacity for participation in transformative practices, processes, and policies to advance EDIA at UM and beyond. Importantly, the EDIA micro-certificate is offered at no cost to the learner.

A commitment to our community

The micro-certificate is part of a broader strategic response to the recommendations of the President’s Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and other reports calling for enhanced education and training for staff, faculty, and students in EDIA.

Developed through extensive consultation with a wide range of groups and individuals holding diverse social identities, roles, areas of expertise, and lived experiences, the program complements other education and training initiatives related to anti-oppression, social justice, Truth and Reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenization.

“This program is unique in Canada, emphasizing the development of individual competencies that will transform how our community learns and takes action together,” says Tina Chen, Vice-Provost (Equity). “The EDIA micro-certificate marks a significant milestone, demonstrating the university’s commitment to investing in our community to ensure actions are based in on-going learning as we strive to make real progress towards addressing inequities, narrowing gaps resulting from ableism, racisms, sexism, homo and trans-phobia, and other systemic oppressions, and working for meaningful diversity and a vibrant community. It also demonstrates the tremendous enthusiasm for this continued work from across the University of Manitoba.”

Celebrating progress

That enthusiasm was evident at the July 4 launch event celebrating this critical movement toward building individual and collective transformation at UM. Hosted by the Office of Equity Transformation and the Division of Extended Education, the event featured remarks from collaborating partners within UM as well as the Honourable Renée Cable, Manitoba Minister of Advanced Education and Training. Attendees also heard from two participants of the first cohort of the EDIA: Foundations course, who shared stories of personal and professional growth from the experience.

“We are witnessing the beginning of a transformation,” says Ute Kothe, Dean of the Division of Extended Education. “Learners are asked to develop and implement projects that improve equity and accessibility at UM. In the next years, we will celebrate transformative change creating vibrant and inclusive communities across our campuses, resulting from actions taken by the thoughtful and passionate learners from this program.”

How to apply

To register for the EDIA Micro-certificate program, applicants must complete the pre-requisite course, EDIA 0100: Foundations. Applications for the next EDIA: Foundations opens to UM staff, faculty and students on July 22 to August 8.

Learn more about the EDIA Micro-certificate.