In late April, the National Managers’ Community (NMC) sent out a pulse survey to a sample of managers on returning to work after a strike. Respondents overwhelmingly chose the theme “How to restore a healthy and positive workplace” as an area of chief concern. Underlining themes concerned motivation: both how to re-motivate oneself as a manager and how to support team members in doing so too.
In response to this feedback, NMC Regional Leads leaped into action and organized a virtual Managers Mini-Connect as a pilot. Sixty-seven (67) steering committee members in Western Canada participated in the 1-hour facilitated session on May 26! The format was simple: in plenary, NMC Leads asked participants to use one word to describe how they were feeling post-strike:
Words such as “overwhelmed”, “exhausted”, and “tired” had the most entries.
Managers then headed into break-out rooms for a facilitated discussion, with prompting questions, to share best practices. The engagement was high and discussions lively. In the wrap-up, participants were asked to use a word to describe how they were feeling post-discussion and the transformation was clear:
The words “hopeful”, “aligned”, “relieved”, “supported, “better” and “relieved” now stood out.
The end result: managers are asking for more and the NMC Secretariat will be rolling out more sessions. Stay tuned for dates and details!
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to recognize and learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Explore a different topic every week of the month with these resources:
The 2023 National Public Service Week (NPSW) will be celebrated the week of June 11 to 17, based on the theme “Into the future, stronger together!”. NPSW was designed to promote pride in and recognition of the public service of Canada by providing internal recognition, and by raising Canadians’ awareness of the excellence of the public service. As managers, you are the core of results and delivery – take the time to celebrate your achievements and successes with your colleagues and employees by sending them a personal e-card message of appreciation. You can do this via www.iboutique.ca by selecting Enter > Recipient. Enjoy what is happening in your home department and region.
Transform and Thrive: Strategies for Personal Empowerment and Organizational Resilience
The Canadian Innovation Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace is proud to welcome Stephan Maighan to deliver this session.
Entertaining, inspiring and moving – what would our personal and professional lives look like if we were able to up our game and perform to our fullest? This signature keynote is geared towards motivating and challenging participants to reach their full potential in both their personal and professional lives.
Monday, June 12, 2023 | 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET Register here
Pride Season refers to the wide range of Pride events that take place over the summer (June to September) when 2SLGBTQI+ communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. More information on the Women Gender Equity (WAGE) website
Pride Season toolkit : Use the WAGE digital toolkit to promote Pride Season all summer long. You will find social media images, a virtual background, and much more
Relationships, Engagement and Consultation: The Essentials for Reconciliation
This event features a panel of First Nations, Inuit and Métis representatives who will share their views on how to achieve better relationships through improved engagement and consultation, along with success stories and best practices to advance reconciliation. Monday, June 12, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET Register to Webcast here
Changes to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) to mitigating biases and barriers in assessment methods
The remaining changes to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) are expected to come into force in July 2023. The changes related to assessment methods and investigations seek to strengthen diversity and inclusion by addressing biases and barriers that disadvantage equity-seeking groups.
To support managers and agencies with this change, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has developed a guideand tool for identifying and mitigating biases and barriers, which we encourage you to incorporate into your staffing practices now. Additional resources are available on the PSEA Amendments website.
For more information on the changes to the PSEA, please contact your human resources team.
Results of the Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) available
The results of the most recent Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) are now available. We invite you to visit the Public Service Employee Survey website to find results by department and a summary report of the results for the public service as a whole.
Information about the Indigenous Student Employment Opportunity
Did you know that the Public Service Commission (PSC) offers federal organisations support with their inclusive recruitment efforts through its focused program for Indigenous students hired in the federal public service?
The Indigenous Student Employment Opportunity (ISEO) is an employee-experience program, for students who self-identify as Indigenous, that includes an onboarding process, training, activities, mentorship and support services designed for both students and managers or supervisors.
The student themself, their manager or human resources specialist can register on behalf of the student here.
The Federal Youth Network (FYN) is seeking mentors
The Federal Youth Network (FYN) is seeking approximately 60 mentors at the EX or EX-minus 1 levels to participate in the FYN’s In-Person Learning Day’s Speed Mentoring activity on June 28th in the NCR.
QFC’s conference: Stress: How to Hunt the Mammoth without Losing Your Skin
This conference, organized as part of National Public Service Week, is based on over 30 years of scientific discoveries to help participants demystify what stress is, the acute and chronic effects it can have on physical and mental health, and how to control it.
First, it discusses the myths associated with stress, the physical response to stress and its effects on the body and brain. It then discusses the causes of stress today and methods to control the stress response using cognitive restructuring and the parasympathetic system.
Conference in French with English subtitlesWednesday, June 14, 2023|11:00 am to 12:00 p.m. ETRegister here
Looking for a practice-based development activity?
Feeling isolated and want to connect with your peers?
Do you want to develop your leadership skills?
Feeling like you’re at an impasse with a situation?
Are you wondering how to have a difficult conversation?
Would you like to improve your communication skills (active listening and giving feedback)?
Join an interdepartmental co-development group, in English or French, led by a manager-coach.
What is a codevelopment group?
A group of people who help each other in their respective development.
A training approach that allows people to learn from each other in order to improve and consolidate their management practices.
A structured consultation exercise that focuses on real situations.
Members take turns acting as clients, presenting a real situation, and as consultants, helping the client to enrich their understanding and capacity for action. Consultants are encouraged to ask questions rather than suggest explanations and solutions.
Participants are encouraged to complete a personal diary to identify and document what they have learned in each session, and thus achieve long-term change.
Facilitated by a facilitator (trained to manage the consultation process).
With a commitment to continuity, attendance, confidentiality and adherence to agreed rules.
Time investment:
In general, members meet once a month for 3 hours and sessions are from October to June.
What it takes to be a participant
Minimum of one year’s experience in management/supervision.
NMC Managers Connect 2023 – Calgary Take advantage of an opportunity to network in person with colleagues from other departments and agencies. We will be observing what coaching really looks like, and spending the afternoon delving into difficult discussions and resolving conflict. Date and time: Thursday,June 22, 2023 | 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. MT Register now!
Join the NMC team – Looking for a Regional Lead for British Columbia & Yukon
Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you enjoy collaborating, working horizontally across government and co-delivering innovative activities and initiatives with a variety of partners while working with an awesome virtual team? This would be the perfect assignment opportunity for you.
We are looking to staff this position with a two (2) year assignment opportunity with the possibility of a one-year extension for a candidate who is located in British Columbia or Yukon, with an official language proficiency of English (AS-05 or AS-06 or equivalent). Link to the job description and main responsibilities.
To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter describing how you would be a great fit for this position, to Pauline Picotte at pauline.picotte@csps-efpc.gc.ca by June 21st, 2023.
