Over 90 leaders from across all Business and Operations units gathered in the University Club on May 3rd for the Spring 2022 Leadership Meeting. For some attendees, this was the first gathering in years — for others who were hired after the start of the pandemic, it was their first time meeting coworkers in person. With employees eager to connect in person, smiles and laughter quickly filled the large ballroom.
Dave DeJong, senior vice chancellor for Business and Operations, opened the event by reviewing Business and Operations strategic plan updates and highlighting the focus of the event - one of the Plan for Pitt’s three pillars: Our People.
The main speaker of the event was James Gallaher, the new vice chancellor of Human Resources at Pitt. In his inspiring talk, Gallaher took participants through insightful employment statistics and discussed how the pandemic, sentiment and shift to remote work have impacted the job market, employee retention and engagement. He explained that factors including benefits and flexibility are becoming increasingly important to workers. OHR has worked to expand and update benefits— including but not limited to flexible work arrangements and additional medical benefit options.
Gallaher emphasized the importance of not only attracting new employees to the University, but also retaining the high caliber, committed people on staff. He reinforced that leaders should be consistently checking-in with their employees to ensure their needs are being met, providing continued opportunities for growth and being flexible to support employees where possible.
During the breakout session, participants were asked employee recruitment and retention questions to discuss among their groups, with Gallaher inviting candid feedback that will be used in the development of OHR’s strategic plan this summer. Groups were intentionally organized to include leaders from different Business and Operations units, encouraging diverse perspectives and discussion. Members of the OHR team moderated each group, capturing attendees’ valuable thoughts and feedback to assist in further strengthening the University as an employer of distinction locally, regionally, and nationally.
Responses to the event were positive, with many calling the meeting informative and insightful. One attendee noted their appreciation for “the excitement James has about HR and the fact he is bringing a new perspective to the table.” The opportunity to converse and connect across units was a key aspect that participants found beneficial, establishing new and fostering existing relationships. There is enthusiasm for the opportunity of Business and Operations leaders to meet again in Fall.