Title: Revising a new employee information packet to include benefit and SCEIS information.

Description: I am currently employed as a Human Resource Specialist for a satellite office of the South Carolina Department of Mental Health where I specialize in benefits administration and timekeeping. I have worked in this position for 18 months and have conducted several new employee benefit orientations. During the past year new statewide policies, along with established policies, have been modified. I believe the presentation materials I currently use for orientation are outdated and employees would profit from revised handouts and resources that reflect modern regulations. Because my employer is part of the state organization, there are several added benefits available to employees such as health, dental, vision, and life insurance, retirement options and leave times. In my role as Human Resource Specialist, I have learned that optional benefits for employees have not been marketed in the past; therefore, numerous employees are unaware of their existence. I propose to change this oversight and offer employees the chance to seize every benefit available. The revised benefit packet would be a vital reference for all employees. While I do not mind addressing employee questions or concerns, it is important to empower employees and encourage them to reference this material when questions arise. To begin, state supported benefits differ from benefits offered by private organizations. Examples of state benefits include state employers paying a portion of employee insurance premiums, matching retirement contributions by the employee and accruing monthly leave times. As previously stated, it is my responsibility to conduct new hire benefit orientation for all new employees at my office location. This orientation is conducted in my office as to ensure personal

information is kept confidential and can be discussed in private. During this orientation, I thoroughly review available insurance options and enroll employees in the policy/policies of their choice. Next, retirement options and leave policies are reviewed. After orientation, employees are given an insurance guide book that defines each insurance plan in detail and explains the opportunity to change plans up to 31 days after their date of hire. Furthermore, the governor of South Carolina has mandated a new and innovative timekeeping system known as the South Carolina Enterprise Information System (SCEIS). The SCEIS system is a program that allows employees to access various employment information and forms via internet. Each employee has a unique SCEIS identification number and account that enables him or her to view and edit personal information, pay statements, leave accruals and current insurance enrollments. Moreover, employees must enter daily working times and leave requests electronically via SCEIS. Hours worked and leave requests are automatically submitted to the employees supervisor for approval. Presently, employees are not given any other reference materials pertaining to employee benefits. As a result, employees leave my office without written materials of information we discussed and therefore, may not be able to recall state policies and directives. I know this to be factual as I receive several phone calls and emails from new and current employees with questions concerning leave accruals, personal time off within a calendar year, when to use sick or annual leave, etc. I am certain employees would better understand insurance plans by using handouts that breakdown insurance policies and are displayed in comparison charts. I would be able to thoroughly review each plan and educate the employee on the differences of each plan and their eligibility requirements. By creating a new hire benefit explanation packet that includes the insurance guide book and detailed information on retirement options, deferred compensation,

IRA accounts, leave policies, observed holidays, contact information for insurance providers and detailed SCEIS instructions, I would better aide new employees in becoming familiar with office policies and procedures. Although thorough SCEIS instructions would be included in the updated packet, I would propose increasing the allotted time of orientation to educate new employees on the SCEIS system using a mock employee account. I would demonstrate the proper way to access working times, leave requests, leave accruals, pay statements and insurance enrollments. I would then give the employee an opportunity to maneuver through the account and practice submitting necessary tasks. Hands-on-training and return demonstration is a resourceful way for employees to become efficient within the SCEIS system. This instructional packet would be supplied to all new employees at the end of orientation. In addition, packets would be made available to current employees who desire a reference guide on insurance policies and SCEIS timekeeping reminders. I recommend quarterly scheduling of SCEIS trainings and practices to receive employee feedback to make SCEIS more clear for employees and supervisors. Desired outcome: Employees will be knowledgeable of their insurance policies and the SCEIS system. Employees will have necessary resources to research and better understand policy requirements as well as essential contact information for providers. Additionally, employees will possess materials to become educated on the fundamentals of SCEIS and the means to be successful in completing daily tasks.

Final Project Format: I have chosen to use this training plan format for my project:

Training Plan Template

Benefits and SCEIS

1. 2. 3.

Objective(s):

Result(s) desired: Time:

Requirements:

Flow of the Training:

Environment:

Detailed training explanation:

Personal Goals and Assessments: Goal 1) Learn ways to better access situations and determine the most efficient instructional system. Goal 2) Research additional training plan formats that will be appropriate for a variety of needs and desired outcomes.

Goal 3) Become more confident in my assessment and responsive recommendation abilities.

This course and unit assignments will educate me on what is needed to conduct thorough needs assessments and where to locate supplementary sources. I believe researching additional training formats will help me with future assessments and will offer differing views on situations. As I continue developing my final project I hope to gain confidence in my assessment and resolution abilities.