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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Rookie to Ridgeback

Orientation for employees and managers

Orientation is the formal process of familiarizing new employees with the organization, their job, and their work unit. Its purpose is to enable new employees from their first days at the university so that they become productive members of the organization right away. Ontario Tech has online (non-mandatory) sessions available for all employees.

New managers are encouraged to attend additional face-to-face (non-mandatory) orientation sessions to inform new managers in aspects of HR, LR, Risk and Finance and ensure their first experience is positive by providing an increased comfort level with specific topics. 

Orientation sessions are available for new and existing employees and managers at the university.

 

Information about Teaching Assistant/Sessional Instructor training is now available on the Teaching and Learning Orientation Site.

Resources

September 2023

  • Employee Orientation (START HERE)
    Date: September 19, 2023
    Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)
    This session is for all new employees at the University. 
     

    The goals of the program are to:

    • Welcome you to Ontario Tech University
    • Highlight resources, benefits and perks available to you
    • Provide you with context and tools to help you navigate your new environment

    Learn about:

    • Our history, leadership, mission, vision, values, priorities
    • Our faculties and departments
    • Understand how you fit into the organization
    • Our socials
    • Our policies
    • Compliance
    • EDI
    • Campus Services
    • How to engage on campus
    • Pension and benefits
    • Organizational development
    • Employee and Labour Relations
    • Health and Safety
    • Health and Disability Management
    • Wellness at Work
    • Recruitment and Compensation
    • Parking
    • Security
    • Booking Spaces
    • Service Desk
    • IT Services
    • Employee Perks
    • Food Services
    • And so much more
  • Employee Orientation to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    Date: September 26, 2023
    Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)
    At Ontario Tech, we are committed to our leadership to advance a culture and community where everyone is included, celebrated and feels a sense of belonging. Our culture is reliant upon each of us, and the intentional actions we take on a daily basis. The Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging session will introduce our community to the structure of the team (How and when to engage the DIB office/team for support), share some practical tips on how to be an inclusive member of our community, provide some education on key things such as Microaggressions, creating psychological safety, Inclusive leadership and Allyship.

October 2023

  • Manager Orientation to Human Resources
    Date: October 4, 2023
    Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)

    This course is for newly hired and existing Ontario Tech managers.

    This session will provide an overview of:

    Health and Disability Management

    • identify and list the goals and objectives of the Attendance Management Program and the Disability Support Program
    • understand the processes around employee sick leaves, accommodation and workplace injuries;
    • identify your role and responsibilities in assisting your employees to record, improve and manage their attendance; and
    • discuss key areas of concern and opportunities related to supporting time and attendance

    Wellness at Work

    • identify the benefits of a Healthy Workplace
    • discuss the role you play in supporting your employee's health and well-being
    • learn where to access resources to support your health and the health of your team

    Job Evaluation

    • an overview of key concepts in job evaluation;
    • documents and tools in how jobs are evaluated;

    Recruitment and Compensation

    • an overview of the Compensation Program and supporting salary administration guidelines
    • an understanding of the process to initiate a position to Recruitment for posting; and 
    • Effectively plan and prepare for an interview by selecting the appropriate style and structure;
    • Compose behavioural and competency-based interview questions and identify prohibited interview questions;
    • Appropriately assess and select candidates while remaining compliant with legislation and collective agreements

    Performance Development

    • The Performance Development Cycle
    • Timelines for Goal Setting, Check-Ins, and year-end performance reviews
    • My HR Connection and Limited-Term Processes
    • What’s in the collective agreement

    Leadership Development

    • Available programs, succession planning, and employee development

    Professional Development

    • How learning catalogues are developed
    • Why your input is important
  • Manager Orientation to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    Date: October 11, 2023
    Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)
    At Ontario Tech, we are committed to our leadership to advance a culture and community where everyone is included, celebrated and feels a sense of belonging. As people leaders, our culture is reliant upon each of us and our ability to create space and psychological safety for all members of our team and the broader community. The Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging session will introduce people leaders (managers and above) to the structure of the team (How and when to engage the DIB office/team for support and consultation), share some practical tips on how complete a D&I scan across our community and within teams in our efforts to build diverse talent pipelines, introduction to the intellectual vs social friction model and how to create barriers for respectful, collaborative exchanges within teams, provide some education on key things such as Microaggressions, creating psychological safety, Inclusive leadership and Allyship. The goal of the session is to create a space for leaders to engage and seek perspectives to enable their support to their teams.
  • Employee Orientation to Risk and Compliance
    Date: October 17, 2023
    Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)
  • Manager Orientation - Working in a Unionized Environment
    Date: October 17 & 19, 2023 
    Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)

    This course is for newly hired and existing Ontario Tech managers.

    It is the skills on display in day-to-day relationships that management determines the effectiveness of managers and unionized workers. It is the ongoing resolution of issues and problems that arise daily that will either create a culture of success or one of resistance. In this skill-building workshop, you will learn new skills and have a unique opportunity to discuss the application of the collective agreement into a practical context.

    Learning outcomes include:

    1. Understanding and managing the collective agreement with a guided Q&A session
    2. Managing conflict effectively with disgruntled and challenging employees
    3. Learning to leverage your communication skills to build trust and commitment
    4. Knowing when and how to provide constructive feedback that is different from discipline
    5. Providing the leadership skills that create a “can-do” environment
    6. Knowing when and how to engage employees to encourage ownership and accountability
  • Manager Orientation to General Counsel's Office and Secretariat
    Date: October 26, 2023
    Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)

    This orientation session will provide managers with key information about the University Secretariat and General Counsel’s Office.  Areas of focus will include:

     University Governance, including policies, procedures and academic appeals

    1. Legal review of contracts
    2. Student and Faculty issues
    3. Human Rights and Gender Based Violence Program
    4. Privacy and Records
  • Manager Orientation to Risk and Compliance
    Date: October 31, 2023
    Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)

November 2023

January 2024

  • Employee Orientation (START HERE)
    Date: January 11, 2024
    Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)

    This session is for all new employees at the University. 

    The goals of the program are to:
    • Welcome you to Ontario Tech University
    • Highlight resources, benefits and perks available to you
    • Provide you with context and tools to help you navigate your new environment

    Learn about:

    • Our history, leadership, mission, vision, values, priorities
    • Our faculties and departments
    • Understand how you fit into the organization
    • Our socials
    • Our policies
    • Compliance
    • EDI
    • Campus Services
    • How to engage on campus
    • Pension and benefits
    • Organizational development
    • Employee and Labour Relations
    • Health and Safety
    • Health and Disability Management
    • Recruitment and Compensation
    • Parking
    • Security
    • Booking Spaces
    • Service Desk
    • IT Services
    • Employee Perks
    • Food Services
    • And so much more
  • Employee Orientation to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    Date: January 18, 2024
    Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)
    At Ontario Tech, we are committed to our leadership to advance a culture and community where everyone is included, celebrated and feels a sense of belonging. Our culture is reliant upon each of us, and the intentional actions we take on a daily basis. The Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging session will introduce our community to the structure of the team (How and when to engage the DIB office/team for support), share some practical tips on how to be an inclusive member of our community, provide some education on key things such as Microaggressions, creating psychological safety, Inclusive leadership and Allyship.
  • Employee Orientation to Risk and Compliance
    Date: January 25, 2024
    Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)
  • Manager Orientation to Human Resources
    Date: January 30, 2024
    Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)

    This course is for newly hired and existing Ontario Tech managers.

    This session will provide an overview of:

    Health and Disability Management

    • identify and list the goals and objectives of the Attendance Management Program and the Disability Support Program
    • understand the processes around employee sick leaves, accommodation and workplace injuries;
    • identify your role and responsibilities in assisting your employees to record, improve and manage their attendance; and
    • discuss key areas of concern and opportunities related to supporting time and attendance

    Job Evaluation

    • an overview of key concepts in job evaluation;
    • documents and tools in how jobs are evaluated;

    Recruitment and Compensation

    • an overview of the Compensation Program and supporting salary administration guidelines
    • an understanding of the process to initiate a position to Recruitment for posting; and 
    • Effectively plan and prepare for an interview by selecting the appropriate style and structure;
    • Compose behavioural and competency-based interview questions and identify prohibited interview questions;
    • Appropriately assess and select candidates while remaining compliant with legislation and collective agreements

    Performance Development

    • The Performance Development Cycle
    • Timelines for Goal Setting, Check-Ins, and year-end performance reviews
    • My HR Connection and Limited-Term Processes
    • What’s in the collective agreement

    Leadership Development

    • Available programs, succession planning, and employee development

    Professional Development

    • How learning catalogues are developed
    • Why your input is important

February 2024

  • Manager Orientation to General Counsel's Office and Secretariat
    Date: February 1, 2024
    Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)

    This orientation session will provide managers with key information about the University Secretariat and General Counsel’s Office.  Areas of focus will include:

     University Governance, including policies, procedures and academic appeals

    1. Legal review of contracts
    2. Student and Faculty issues
    3. Human Rights and Gender Based Violence Program
    4. Privacy and Records
  • Manager Orientation to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    Date: February 6, 2024
    Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)
    At Ontario Tech, we are committed to our leadership to advance a culture and community where everyone is included, celebrated and feels a sense of belonging. As people leaders, our culture is reliant upon each of us and our ability to create space and psychological safety for all members of our team and the broader community. The Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging session will introduce people leaders (managers and above) to the structure of the team (How and when to engage the DIB office/team for support and consultation), share some practical tips on how complete a D&I scan across our community and within teams in our efforts to build diverse talent pipelines, introduction to the intellectual vs social friction model and how to create barriers for respectful, collaborative exchanges within teams, provide some education on key things such as Microaggressions, creating psychological safety, Inclusive leadership and Allyship. The goal of the session is to create a space for leaders to engage and seek perspectives to enable their support to their teams.
  • Manager Orientation to Risk and Compliance
    Date: February 15, 2024
    Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)
  • Manager Orientation - Working in a Unionized Environment
    Date: February 20 & 22, 2024
    Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    (non-mandatory)

    This course is for newly hired and existing Ontario Tech managers.

    It is the skills on display in day-to-day relationships that management determines the effectiveness of managers and unionized workers. It is the ongoing resolution of issues and problems that arise daily that will either create a culture of success or one of resistance. In this skill-building workshop, you will learn new skills and have a unique opportunity to discuss the application of the collective agreement into a practical context.

    Learning outcomes include:

    1. Understanding and managing the collective agreement with a guided Q&A session
    2. Managing conflict effectively with disgruntled and challenging employees
    3. Learning to leverage your communication skills to build trust and commitment
    4. Knowing when and how to provide constructive feedback that is different from discipline
    5. Providing the leadership skills that create a “can-do” environment
    6. Knowing when and how to engage employees to encourage ownership and accountability

March 2024