Employee Engagement

Supervisory Development Training

Development of training to support employees interested in moving into managerial positions within TRCA

The HR team is working on the development of e-learning content to support employees interested in career development into a people leader role. This will be rolled out with the launch of TRCA’s new Learning Management System (LMS) in February 2021.

In addition to the Supervisor Development Program, in August 2020, the HR team launched a mandatory Manager Fundamentals Program for all people leaders. Training for Manager Fundamentals completed in January 2021. The training focuses on core fundamental areas including:

• Effective Leadership
• Performance Coaching and Conversations
• Recruitment and Selection
• WSIB and Incident Management & Reporting
• Disability Management
• Workplace Violence, Harassment and Discrimination Prevention
• TRCA’s Policy Program

HR will be launching the following e-learning training series in support of supervisory development via TRCA’s LMS:

Series One: March 2021

• Effectively Manage Conflicts
• Coach Employees for Feedback
• Adopt Inclusive Leadership Behaviours

Series Two: June 2021

• Leading through Change
• Mastering Difficult Conversations
• Mastering the 3i’s of Employee Engagement

March 2021:
100%

February 2021:
75%

January 2021:
75%

December 2020:
60%

November 2020:
50%

Development Planning Program

Incorporate required development planning as part of the Performance Development Program (PDP) and incorporate:

• Include wide spectrum of development options including job shadowing

As part of TRCA’s Performance Development Program that launched in Q1 2020, the year-end process includes a critical component of the program which is Career and Developmental Planning. Employees will be commencing development objective setting this month and into December as part of the year-end PDP process.

November 2020:
100%

Learning & Development Calendar Expansion

Expansion of the L&D calendar to incorporate expanded course offerings and TRCA endorsed courses

The HR team is currently working on the launch of our new Learning Management System (LMS) using the Ceridian Dayforce platform. The LMS will house a number of learning opportunities including an expanded breadth of e-learning and instructor facilitated courses.

The Learning Management System (LMS) will launch in February 2021 and the catalogue of courses will continue to expand post launch.

February 2021:
100%

January 2021:
90%

December 2020:
75%

November 2020:
50%

Mandatory Diversity and Inclusion Training

Diversity and inclusion training/anti-oppression

TRCA has leveraged our partnership with McLean and Company to bring a fulsome learning program to all TRCA staff. The e-learning will focus on Foundations of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This program has been tested and will launch via TRCA’s new Learning Management System (LMS) in February 2021 and will be mandatory for all existing staff to complete, as well as all future hires of TRCA.

In November 2020, TRCA received Board approval and endorsement of our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy approach.

Diversity and Inclusion Working Group to meet March 1 with D&I training finalization and release date forming part of the meeting agenda. Training has been sourced and secured, just firming the release date. Second DEI Working Group meeting taking place March 19 with further discussions relating to the timing release for DEI training.

The DEI working group is developing TRCA’s DEI strategy, which will be inclusive of DEI training. Training is to launch in alignment with the strategy.

Mandatory DEI training launched in August 2021 for all TRCA employees. In addition, future training will be forthcoming on Advanced DEI and Indigenous Awareness.

September 2021:
100%

May 2021:
95%

March 2021:
95%

February 2021:
90%

January 2021:
75%

December 2020:
75%

November 2020:
50%

Recruitment, Selection and Onboarding Policy

Development of a recruitment, selection and onboarding policy that incorporates transparent processes

The HR team developed a new Recruitment, Selection and Onboarding policy that has been approved by Policy Committee and SLT and will launch via communication in February 2021. The Policy will support talent management at TRCA and will set out updated guidelines and principles for the fair recruitment, selection and onboarding of qualified talent across the organization. The policy outlines fair, transparent and consistent hiring practices while ensuring principles of merit, inclusion and accessibility are applied.

The Recruitment, Selection and Onboarding Policy is to be released March 2021.

February 2021:
100%

January 2021:
90%

December 2020:
90%

November 2020:
75%

Employee Knowledge Share Platform

Establish a platform or process that enables knowledge share options

The Scientific Knowledge Sharing platform is dedicated to sharing the latest scientific knowledge generated by TRCA and our partners. It is a place where staff can learn about and engage in the scientific work TRCA is undertaking.

There are several TRCA teams engaged (across all divisions) in generating new scientific knowledge. Although currently the content on the platform is specific to the Watershed Planning and Ecosystem Science business, this is an inter-divisional initiative and additional content from other TRCA teams will be added as the platform develops.

The establishment of a platform to share corporate knowledge was initiated through discussions between Watershed Planning and Ecosystem Science and Marketing and Communications staff with the intent of focusing initially on the TRCA’s science knowledge and information. This process was also discussed and endorsed through the Research and Science working committee.

The TRCA Staff Hub was chosen as the platform for this process and an initial meeting with Marketing and Communications team was held. It was suggested that a corporate page be developed to share the following content as a start:

• Links to scientific papers and reports including TRCA’s contributions to online scientific publications
• TRCA white papers
• Technical training protocols and best practices
• Presentation to partners and stakeholders
• Links to TRCA Webinars and Lunch and Learn
• Links to TRCA Video content (YouTube and social media)

An outline of the proposed Hub Page was submitted to Marketing for review by the end of Q4 and the development of the page began in Q1 of 2021 with a test page being developed for review.

Existing content based on the categories identified above is available was used for testing and review of the page. Once approved, content will be added and maintained regularly by appointed staff in several teams and the content can be expanded to include other topics and corporate teams.

Content has been added to the platform including scientific papers, presentations, lunch and learns, videos, and white papers. We have also added information on the Research and Science Working group and a link to the TRCA Research Agenda for when it is ready to be shared. The platform will be launched in June.

May 2021:
100%

March 2021:
90%

February 2021:
80%

January 2021:
80%

December 2020:
30%

November 2020:
30%

Recognition Expansion

Communicate existing recognition platforms and incorporate information that supports informal recognition of peers and teams. Provide tools for managers to effectively recognize staff

A key element of the Employee Engagement Action Plan is developing and supporting improved recognition of the great work that TRCA employees undertake on a daily basis. While recognition can take many forms, the intent of this area is to develop a broader suite of mechanisms to recognize employees, while also supporting a more organic approach to recognition that is both intentional and meaningful.

There are many platforms and approaches being utilized for both peer to peer and team-based employee recognition, including, but not limited to:

• Teams (Praise Function, Team Channels)
• TRCA Staff Hub
• KudoBoard (Development and Engineering/Policy and Planning)
• Divisional/Organizational Emails
• Verbal/In-Person
• Board of Directors recognition
• Others

As part of Employee Recognition Expansion, SLT and SMT will be working collaboratively to seek and source best practices and opportunities to continue to embed increased recognition into daily activities.

Continued promotion of the Staff Feature on the Staff Hub for stories to profile good work of TRCA staff and teams is ongoing.

A facilitated session on Best-Practice Sharing related to Recognition was held at the February SMT Meeting.

The Best-Practice Session focused on three questions to help drive improved recognition by SMT/SLT. The three questions were:

• What does recognition mean to me: How do I want to be recognized?
• Your recognition best practices: How do my staff want to be recognized?
• What does successful recognition look like: How do I ensure staff feel that their accomplishments are recognized at TRCA?

Minutes of the Best-Practice Sharing session have been circulated to SMT members for information and action.

May 2021:
100%

March 2021:
90%

February 2021:
80%

January 2021:
70%

December 2020:
50%

November 2020:
50%

Mental Health and Wellness Resources

Introduction of additional mental health and wellness educational platforms, including lunch and learn sessions and educational materials

TRCA has introduced a six-session mental health and wellness lunch and learn series via monthly virtual Lunch and Learn webinars in partnership with ComPsych, our Employee Assistance Program provider.

All sessions have been scheduled with two session completed. Sessions include:

• Living with Change – December 8, 2020
• Coping During Uncertain Times – January 20, 2021
• Managing Worry and Anxiety – February 18, 2021
• Hobbies for Mental and Physical Health – March 25, 2021
• Tools to Handle Stress – April 21, 2021
• Mental Health Awareness – May 25, 2021

Time for all sessions: 12:00 to 12:45 p.m.

A recording of the first and second wellness sessions can be found HERE.

January 2021:
100%

December 2020:
75%

November 2020:
75%

Policy Program Enhancements

Policy & Program updates to include communication on the objective of the polices, sharing of the annual policy plan; increased collaboration for policy development; greater lead time for policy effective dates

• TRCA’s refreshed Code of Conduct was unveiled in January 2021 with 100% of staff completing the review process in January/February.
• Policy Manager Tactical Emails and Calls commenced in January 2021 to further assist managers in supporting their employees in interpreting and engaging with corporate policies.
• A section on TRCA’s policy program has been incorporated into the Manager’s Fundamentals training.
• The Policy Committee continues to work on updating policies and procedures that reduce risk/improve efficiencies and support employee understanding of existing corporate processes.
• Updated policy tools, modifications to SharePoint and process changes (see memorandum in Streamlining of TRCA Processes)

February 2021:
100%

January 2021:
75%

December 2020:
50%

November 2020:
25%

Modelling of Work Life Balance Practices

Management models and encourages work life balance practices e.g. offline during vacation, lunch breaks, workload distribution etc.

• HR Memorandum sent to SLT, SMT, Managers, and Supervisors on 2021 Vacation Scheduling.
• Reiterating to staff the importance of taking lunch breaks and vacation
• Limiting, where feasible, the distribution of emails outside of regular work hours
• Encouraging staff to apply proper Out-Of-Office email and voicemail notifications including listing an alternate contact, to ensure staff are provided an opportunity to disconnect when not working
• Reminder communication to people leaders
• Reminder communication for tips and tools and resources that are available for staff on the Staff Hub
• TRCA’s Flexible Work Arrangements Policy is in the final stages of being developed
• TRCA’s Flexible Work Arrangements Policy released December 1, 2021

December 2021:
100%

September 2021:
90%

May 2021:
80%

March 2021:
80%

February 2021:
75%

January 2021:
50%

December 2020:
25%

November 2020:
0%