Subject Matter Minute, Episode #46 – HR Consolidation

The below post is taken from the Video Blog, the Subject Matter Minute. If it’s a little hard to read, it’s because it’s taken from the spoken word. You can view the episode on YouTube if you would like. Find it here: Episode #46 – HR Consolidation.

If YouTube is blocked for you or your agency, you can scroll to the bottom of this post to view it from Google Drive. (I would prefer you view on YouTube, so I know how many people have watched)

You can also listen to an audio version.

Hello and welcome to the Subject Matter Minute, I’m Matt Nagy, thanks a ton for tuning in. 

I’m not sure how many of you are aware, but Human Resources was recently consolidated. Previous to this, agencies had their own HR folks that would coordinate with Human Resources Division. To me, that was a bit weird because the HR person was then working under the Director and maybe a supervisor of that agency… which means that if that director or supervisor were the issue that they were dealing with… well… that’s just complicated. 

So, with the help of my subject matter experts, Jared Hanson and Jaye Wacker, today we are going to talk about HR Consolidation. (music)

On July 10th, the Governor signed an executive order that brought all human resources staff under one office and one set of rules, which should create greater efficiency and consistency for all of us. Human resource staff will remain in their individual buildings, making them available to us just as before.

Back in episode #23, I discussed the difference between Agency Human Resources and Human Resources Division. These differences have not changed. The only difference is that Agency Human Resources acts under the umbrella of the Human Resources Division, joining the Consultative Services Crew of HRD and Employees’ Group Insurance.

Agency HR remains the place to go for all day-to-day employee questions, including payroll, benefits, workplace issues, ESS password resets, retirement, PMI, discipline, FMLA, sick and annual leave, address changes, name changes, etc. OR even just a stick of gum. They will always have gum. Or not… that’s a “Friends” reference? Anyone? Bueller?

Ok, consultative services provides…. Well… consultations. … and answers to topics such as classification, compensation, recruitment, performance management, grievance and appeals (in case that HR person doesn’t have that gum) personnel rules, and more.

A few agencies are experiencing some change because they have not had a full-time employee dedicated to human resources or payroll. This mainly impacts smaller agencies and boards. If you work for one of these organizations, HRD has absorbed the HR duties so that you now have a full-time staff of HR pros dedicated to supporting your agency and you.

Most agencies experienced very little change.  Agency HR is not changing locations.  They are not changing contact information.  And, each agency’s primary point of contact will not change.

Agency Human Resources now has roughly 70 people in 13 different locations, all tasked with providing the best direct human resource support to us. This number doesn’t include the professionals of Employee’s Group Insurance or Consultative Services.  This means that Executive Order 2020-8 connected the entire HR community and created access for ALL state employees to more support and resources.

When you need HR assistance, you still have immediate access to your agency HR pro, AND you can access an HR professional via the “Find Help” button on HRD’s website.  Some agencies will have multiple HR professionals available, and you may want to contact the one that specializes in the area of your question. And, even though agencies are assigned to particular HR professionals, you can contact any individual on this list. Please just note that sometimes, agencies have individual policies, processes, or procedures that may be relevant to your particular situation or question so you are always encouraged to contact your assigned HR person first.

HR Consolidation does more than provide additional resources for employees:

HR Consolidation also improves processes.  Since they all work together, Agency HR can now share best practices with each other more easily, and those processes will be standardized.  HRD and Agency HR will work together on complex human resource matters, getting input from all agencies when making rule and policy changes.  This gives every agency a voice at HRD.

HR Consolidation should also improve customer service, and since providing excellent customer service is part of HRD’s mission, that just makes sense.  Hopefully, many of you have become accustomed to excellent customer service from your individual agency’s HR.  That service remains.  AND, HR Centralization provides access to an HR professional no matter your location or employment.  All state employees will now have equal access and equal treatment.

HR Consolidation also means greater support for Agency HR, providing the traditional training services as well as learning from other HR people across the state.  This can help grow their individual skills and create future HR leaders.

Changes will be continuing in HR.  Transitions like this of course take time.  Everyone is committed to a smooth transition for all Wyoming employees.  Because…we are, in theory, the state’s greatest resource.

…and you should always have access to…gum. 

I truly hope someone out there appreciates the Friends reference!! If not, I’m sorry… Alright, that’s it for today! Have a great weekend. OH, and Happy mothers day to my mom and all you wonderful mothers out there.