Our Voices April 2024

Administration/Clerical, Benefits, Budgets, GSS/ISF Rates, Business Partners, Class & Comp, Commuter Services, Culture of Health, Employee Relations, Employee Services, Exclusive Care, Finance Units/ Procurement, Labor Relations, Occupational Health, Records Management, Retirement

Hello HR Team,

It is with great pleasure that I’m reaching out to you for the first time as your director. I am so very excited to be returning to Riverside County! Earlier in the year, I was chatting with a colleague who casually mentioned he was considering applying for the Riverside County HR Director position. I hadn’t been in touch with anyone from Riverside County in a while and was unaware of the vacancy. It just hit me: I want to explore that opportunity. After competing in the selection process, getting to know the leaders in the Executive Office, reconnecting with Sarah Franco and others, exploring what the HR team has accomplished, and talking with my very supportive family, I was hooked. I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to rejoin the HR team. While I have thoroughly enjoyed my 15-year tenure as San Luis Obispo County’s HR Director, it is deeply rewarding for me to come full-circle and enjoy a homecoming.

As you likely know, I started my career in Riverside County as an HR Analyst in recruitment and selection. Shortly after my arrival, most analysts became generalists – which was energizing to me – and I eventually became the Sheriff’s Personnel Officer and an HR Services Manager assigned to DPSS. My last position in Riverside County was

Deputy Director overseeing the Risk Management Division. During my tenure here, I spent time at the bargaining table and enjoyed participating in Learning and Organizational Development programs. While it’s been some time since I walked in your shoes, I have good memories of professional and personal connections and remain appreciative of the career experiences and development I enjoyed.

As I write this, I am preparing to say goodbye to the San Luis Obispo County team and an HR department of which I am very proud. A deputy HR director will be promoted behind me, and I am confident in their successful future.

I am busy completing all those tasks required to relocate. I am moving to Riverside and my husband, Mike, will be back and forth while we decide where our new home base will be. Our son, Case, is a junior at Sonoma State University, and will no doubt visit over the summer. I’m also starting to familiarize myself with some of the important issues you are facing and excitedly anticipating the opportunity to get to know you, learn about your initiatives, successes, challenges, and work with you to set a course for our future.

(CONTINUED)

I’m looking forward to starting on a listening tour right away. While the plan is not finalized as I write this, I do know I want to hear from you! I am interested in top priorities; recent big changes and their impacts; key processes, structures, technologies, and relationships to pay particular attention to; HR strengths; capabilities we need to focus on developing; what barriers may limit our ability to achieve our goals, to name a few. I’ve had the benefit of accessing the employee engagement survey, which has allowed me to hear some of your voices, and I’ll look forward to planning activities that will allow me to hear from you further.

I understand that the HR team uses the StrengthsFinder model as a development and communication tool. As such, I thought I’d share my top five strengths with you:

1. Relator: I value relationships, trust, and transparency.

3. Arranger: Collaboration is my default approach and I seek effectiveness and efficiency with creativity and flexibility.

2. Strategic: I enjoy seeing big picture connections, weighing alternative paths, and finding creative solutions before making decisions.

4. Learner: I have a great desire to learn and continuously improve.

5. Input: I enjoy reading and accumulating facts, ideas and sometimes too many clothes and shoes.

I’m counting down the days to joining you! Tami

Tami Douglas-Schatz

As we stand on the brink of a new chapter with the arrival of our new Director, the HR Team is compelled to pause and express our deepest gratitude to Sarah Franco for her exceptional leadership as our Interim Director of HR. Sarah has served in this Interim capacity since November of 2023; her commitment, expertise, and steadfast support have been critical in guiding the team through the myriad of challenges and uncertainties we faced together. While we will miss Sarah’s presence in this capacity, we are grateful for the steady and thoughtful approach she took in supporting the team, and for her many strategic contributions.

Thank You, Sarah! We appreciate all you did to help and support us and are thankful to have such a great HR partner at the Assistant CEO level!

Sarah Franco

Our HR team celebrates the dynamic nature of our workforce! We welcome talented new hires who bring fresh perspectives, honor the welldeserved retirements of our valued colleagues, and applaud the career advancements of our dedicated employees. These metrics represent the continuous evolution of our team, shaping HR culture and driving our success.

statistics dated 11/1/2023 - 2/29/2024

Kathy Byrd Retires after 23+ Years of Service

On January 11, 2024, HR wished Kathy Byrd Bon Voyage as she entered her next exciting chapter: RETIREMENT! Kathy first joined the HR team on January 31, 2000, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey that spanned nearly 24 years. Throughout her tenure, Kathy held several pivotal positions, including Senior HR Analyst, HR Services Manager, and HR Business Partner. During that time, she had the opportunity to work with and serve 14 individual departments, and she played an unique role in shaping, developing, and mentoring countless HR professionals both on her HR Services Team and even after that in her role as HR Business Partner.

As of her retirement date, Kathy concluded her service to the County of Riverside, having dedicated 23 years and 11 months to its betterment. Her unwavering commitment to supporting the County, fostering of productive relationships, and significant contributions to our teams will be deeply missed.

Tell us a bit about the work your team does and how it impacts the Human Resources Department.

• Class and comp oversees how work is organized into job classifications and how much we compensate our various job classes. We administer over 2000 job classes and salary grades, support collective bargaining and contract implementation, and provide consultation to departments on issues like organizational structure and restructuring, job redesign, and compensation strategies. We are highly impactful to the HR Department as our job class descriptions and salaries influence our ability to hire and retain good employees. Problems stemming from class or pay can lead to slowdowns in department operations, weaker recruiting, union grievances, lawsuits, and/ or fines. Each of these consequences is costly and causes additional work for multiple divisions within HR, and for the impacted department(s).

What does a normal day with Classification and Compensation look like?

• Class and comp receives requests daily to perform research into our market competitiveness; conduct job analysis to develop or update class descriptions; provide analyses on parity, compaction, and class progression; pull historical reports on County salaries; and meet with departments to discuss their questions and concerns pertaining to class and comp. We are frequently working with HRBPs, Department leadership and the Executive Office to coordinate numerous transactions and Form 11s to keep our classes and salaries up to date.

What advice would you provide someone wanting to join your team?

• Class and Comp is a highly rewarding area to work within. As a Class and Comp team member, you will gain insight into how salaries are determined, develop an understanding of budget and determining cost, get exposure to nearly all departments and their executive teams, collaborate with the Executive Office, and interact with other divisions within HR. The work is highly analytical, and requires the ability to synthesize a great amount of data and information into recommendations that are understandable and well supported. There is a lot of math, report writing, and delivering presentations.

If you and your team had a theme song, what would it be and why?

• The theme song to the TV Show, The A-Team. We strive to be the A-Team

Can you share any funny stories about your team or perhaps any team rituals/jokes?

• When the Board approves a large set of proposed salary increases, we like to joke that class and comp makes it rain!

All employees and their household members will have access to Anthem EAP services

Anthem EAP offers increased access to provider locations near you.

Whether you’re struggling to find child care, plan for retirement, financial or legal assistance, or cope with addiction, Anthem EAP can help.

24/7, 365 days a year - Unlimited access to telephonic guidance, consultation, referral and support services.

Up to 6 counseling sessions face-to-face, by phone, or virtually via LiveHealth Online, per incident - at no cost to you.

myStrength app - stress, anxiety, sleep management self-help tool.

Access Talkspace online at talkspace.com/CountyofRiverside and enter RIVCO

Get the support you need at (833) 954-1067

Access EAP online at AnthemEAP.com and enter PRISM

All employees and dependents 13+ will have access to Talkspace resources. Talkspace is message-based therapy conducted through a proprietary app. Message a dedicated therapist, as often as you wish, anytime, 5 days a week with same-day response.

■ Convenient, Stigma Free, No Appointments

■ Quick Match with your Licensed Therapist, 1:1 Relationship

■ Start Same Day, Anytime, Anywhere

■ Text, Audio, Video Messages

■ Unlimited Messaging Therapy,

Windows Hello

RCIT is enhancing county infrastructure security with Windows Hello for Business, offering a personalized and secure access method for Windows 10/11 devices. Set up a four-digit PIN for instant access, and if compatible, enable fingerprint or facial recognition for workstation sign-in.

Follow these steps to set up Windows Hello.

1. Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options

2. Under Manage how you sign in to your device, you’ll see three choices to sign in with Windows Hello:

• Select Windows Hello Face to set up facial recognition sign-in with your PC’s infrared camera or an external infrared camera.

• Select Windows Hello Fingerprint to set up signin with a fingerprint reader.

• Select Windows Hello PIN to set up sign-in with a PIN.

Follow these steps to set up Windows Hello.

1. Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

2. Under Ways to sign in, you’ll see three choices to sign in with Windows Hello:

• Select Facial recognition (Windows Hello) to set up facial recognition sign-in with your PC’s infrared camera or an external infrared camera.

• Select Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello) to set up sign-in with a fingerprint reader.

• Select PIN (Windows Hello) to set up sign-in with a PIN.

In 2023, Riverside County’s Human Resources department experienced a transformative year, marked by notable achievements and significant challenges. With a focus on talent acquisition, the department successfully recruited and onboarded a diverse array of skilled professionals, bolstering the county’s workforce and enhancing service delivery to residents.

These new hires brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, contributing to the county’s continued growth and success. As the county looks ahead, it remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment and empowering employees to excel in their roles, ensuring continued progress and prosperity for the community.

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Your employee discounts just got a whole lot better! Visit rivco.funex.com or access the portal through RivCoGo!

Active and Fit Direct is one of the many benefits offered to Riverside County employees and can be accessed through one of our discount providers, FunEx. Active and Fit Direct allows you to access over 12,000 gyms nationwide for just $28 a month.

Exciting news! Our latest Resourceful Humans podcast episode just launched! Join us as we explore the transformative impact of our Educational Support Program, hosted by our very own, Victoria Santos. The podcast is available on our HR Connect intranet site and features important HR related updates, topics, and discussions

First Annual Worker’s Compensation Summit 2024

We are thrilled to share highlights from our very first Annual Work Comp Summit held at the Carriage House last week on March 14th. It was an enriching experience filled with valuable insights & productive discussions.

We were honored to have Dr. Reger, a respected psychologist, join us. We also had the Department of Workers Compensation a State Department demonstrate proper wage calculations, particularly in relation to temporary disability payments for our County injured workers.

Our esteemed attorneys also graced the event, delving into crucial topics such as COVID presumptions and Alternative Dispute Resolution, offering vital guidance for our RSA and LEMU unions.

Beyond the informative sessions, we found time for team bonding through an engaging game of Work Comp Bingo, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among us.

Overall, the summit was not only educational but also a fun-filled experience!

Please join us in congratulating our Human Resources Employee Recognition Program Fall 2023 Winners! Winners were recognized and presented with their awards at the HR Holiday Lunch & Mingle on December 13th, 2023.

Winners were selected by our 2023 – 2024 HR Employee Recognition Program Committee. In addition to being our Fall 2023 winners, they will also be up for consideration to win an overall HR award in May. If selected, the winners will go on to compete in the Countywide Employee Recognition Program.

Winners of the Countywide Employee Recognition Program are recognized at a Board of Supervisors meeting each September.

Thank you for your participation in HR’s Employee Recognition program and for recognizing the outstanding contributions of your colleagues. The next nomination period for HR’s Employee Recognition Program will open on May 1st, 2024. We look forward to our next award cycle and to once again celebrating the accomplishments of our fabulous HR team!

Please join us in congratulating our Fall 2023 winners!

Michael Fredendall

Principal Human Resources Analyst

Classification & Compensation

Coty Wellott

Principal Human Resources Analyst

Learning & Organizational Development

Corina Laffond

Business Process Analyst III - CE Business Systems Solutions

Anabel Mulhern

Principal Human Resources Analyst

General Portfolio Recruiting

The Performance Recognition Plan (PRP) Compensation Project Team

Mylene Daniels, Cecilia Holowko, Omar Muhammad, Tammy Nester, Sakeena Al-Amin Jackson, Kevin Cobb, Patricia Silva, Shondi Miller, Joel Legaspi, Johanne Michel, and Julia Luna

Also on Project Team: Mark Dumas & Carrie Duffey (IT Department)

For more information on HR’s Employee Recognition Program, please visit the link below: S:\HR Employee Recognition Program

For more information on the County of Riverside Employee Recognition Program, please visit the link: https://rc-hr.com/EmployeeRecognitionProgramCERP

Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. MHAM is held every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being.

If you are in need of help, please utilize the following resources:

• Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

• Access Talkspace online at https://www.talkspace.com/ CountyofRiverside and enter RIVCO

• To locate treatment facilities or providers, visit FindTreatment.gov or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357)

This season, Human Resources took center stage with the All HR Headshot Extravaganza! Over 120 county employees graced the studio, flashing their best smiles and striking poses for their professional portraits. It was a snapshot-worthy event that captured the essence of our vibrant workforce.

Picture-Perfect Impressions: A professional headshot is your digital calling card, making a striking first impression on platforms like LinkedIn, company websites, and email signatures. It’s your chance to shine and showcase your professionalism to the world.

Branding Brilliance: Your headshot is more than just a photo—it’s your personal brand in pixels. It communicates reliability, attention to detail, and expertise, setting you apart in a crowded marketplace and leaving a lasting impression on potential clients and employers.

Reflecting Company Pride: For employees, professional headshots are more than just a photo op—they’re a reflection of our company’s culture and values. They help create a unified and cohesive image, showcasing the diverse talents and personalities that make our team shine.

Did you know that LinkedIn profiles with a professional headshot receive 14 times more profile views? Investing in a professional headshot isn’t just about looking good; it’s about maximizing your online presence and career opportunities!

We take pride in providing world class live learning opportunities that enable greatness in employees, departments, and divisions to help improve public service outcomes, county-wide. Learn more about our upcoming trainings below!

Supervisor Learning Journey

Dates: Beginning May 7, 2024

Supervisor Learning Journeys contains both live workshops, and online supplemental activities and tools. Click here to learn more.

Management Learning Journey

Dates: Beginning May 15, 2024

What makes the new MLJ better? New and exclusive content, project-based learning, hands-on experience with coaches, develop know-how and more! Click here to learn more

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Dates: July 11th, 18th, 25th, and August 1st, 2024

In this signature program, learn how to take initiative; improve interpersonal communication; balance key priorities, apply principles for achieving a balanced life and more! Click here to learn more.

Like, Totally 80s Playlist

90s/00s Pop Boost Playlist

Trucks, Boots, & Tunes Playlist

Boost your workday wellness! Get energized with our curated workout playlists, stay refreshed at our free hydration station, and squeeze in quick fitness breaks with our work-based exercise video. Small steps lead to big results – power up your productivity with a healthy dose of movement and motivation. Check out the video above or download our playlists today!

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