HR Update - FY 22 Issue 01

Issue Date: August 24, 2021

In This Issue

• Updated Performance Evaluation Coming Soon
• Update to Flex Time Tracking Form
• New Learning Opportunities with AspireAlaska
• Introducing the Program Acceleration Office Quarterly Newsletter

Updated Performance Evaluation Process and Form Coming Soon

Beginning this fall, the State of Alaska is adopting and implementing changes to modernize and improve Performance Management for employees and supervisors across the state. The Division of Personnel and Labor Relations (DOPLR) will be rolling out an updated version of the Performance Management and Learning and Development (PMLD) form that was introduced as a part of the Pathway initiative as our new evaluation for all Executive branch employees effective early 2022.

The goal of the new performance process and form is to help make sure employees understand what is expected of them as well as help employees develop for future goals and aspirations.

Throughout the rest of 2021 Employees and Supervisors will be assigned training in AspireAlaska to help them learn about the new process and how to fill out the form to make sure that all employees can be successful in this new process.

Be on the lookout for more communication coming out soon.

Update to Flex Time Tracking Form

Holiday hours will no longer count against hours worked for flex time accrual. In light of this, the Flex Time Tracking forms have been updated to remove holiday hours as one of the elements that needs to be tracked. Any employee currently using an old version can either move to the new form or they can stop tracking holiday hours on their tracking sheet.

If you have any questions please reach out to your Payroll Services contact.

New Learning Opportunities with AspireAlaska

As of February 2021, the State of Alaska launched AspireAlaska to all State employees to access online learning and training materials. The system is powered by Cornerstone On Demand.

AspireAlaska is available at https://soa.csod.com/samldefault.aspx and messages from the system will come from AspireAlaska@csod.com. If you ever have a question about an email you receive from the system you can email the AspireAlaska help desk at AspireAlaska@alaska.gov.

If you are concerned about any of the links in the system messaging, you can also login directly at https://soa.csod.com/samldefault.aspx to access assigned training or search for courses in the “Learner Home” section.

More about learning opportunities in AspireAlaska: AspireAlaska training materials can come in the form of documents, videos, curriculums, online courses, and even live instructor led training. Courses include leadership curriculum, Advanced Microsoft Excel training, Academy for Supervisors, and much more. As we roll out additional learning opportunities employees can expect more emails directly from the system.

Currently, along with the existing Cornerstone curriculum, employees can also find the following State-sponsored Learning available:

• Ethics E1 - Executive Branch Curriculum
• A Respectful Workplace Curriculum
• Academy for Supervisors Section 1 of 4
• IRIS Operative Videos Introducing IRIS Advanced
• Valuing Diversity Curriculum

Additional department-specific training from across the State will be available in the future.

The Department of Administration is excited to provide a new system for top notch educational opportunities to State of Alaska Employees. We encourage you to explore AspireAlaska and take advantage of the opportunity for development. Please do not hesitate to reach out to AspireAlaska@alaska.gov if you have any questions, concerns, or issues.

Introducing the Program Acceleration Office Quarterly Newsletter

The Program Acceleration Office (PAO) works across DOA's various projects and change initiatives to better communicate project impacts and facilitate change in a positive way. Most recently, the PAO has created a quarterly newsletter to keep executive branch employees apprised of the status of DOA’s slate of projects. In the most recent edition, updates were provided on MS Teams Voice, IRIS Advanced, HR Transformation, Ascent (PMS/LMS/Onboarding), and a helpful blog article on how to adjust to returning to the workplace. To learn more about the PAO and DOA’s various projects, check out the PAO website at http://pao.doa.alaska.gov and be sure to subscribe to the “Forward Together” Quarterly Newsletter through the GOV Delivery Subscription.