Encouraging the Communications Staff to

Work Holidays in the Western Oregon

University Public Safety Office

Submitted By: Alex Riecke-Gonzales, Communications Staff

Date: March 14, 2012

Why Care?

Director of Public Safety

Office Coordinator

Student Communicatio

ns Staff

Student Parking Staff

Assistant Director

Public Safety Officers

What is the Problem?

1. Student Communications Staff required to work holidays

2. Poor Employee Morale

3. Unsafe Campus

Getty

Images

Causes of the Problem

Students forced to work holidays causing low morale.

Employing Students Year-

round

No Incentive

Poor Communication

Effects of the Problem

Figure 1: Survey Results for How Often Each Student Communications Employee has Offered

to Cover a Holiday Shift

AlwaysUsuallySometimesOnce in a WhileNever

25%

75%

Effects of the ProblemFigure 2: Survey Results for How Often a Student Employee is Assigned a Holiday

Shift

AlwaysUsuallySometimesOnce in a WhileNever

50%50%

Possible SolutionsCost Time Ease of

implementation

Potential to solve the problem

Holiday Pay **** *** * ***Evenly split

holiday shifts

**** * *** ***Explain job

requirements upon hiring

**** **** **** *

Holiday pay, split holidays evenly, and present job requirements upon hiring

**** ** * ****

Legend: *= Poor**= Fair

***=Good****= Excellent

Recommended Solution

Based on goals of low cost, time, ease of implementation and high potential to solve the problem Holiday pay

Split holiday shifts evenly among staff

Inform employees of the job requirements upon hiring.

Feasibility: Holiday PayNew Budget:

$59,277oWork-Study

Student: $2.20/ hr.oComm. Staff hrs/yr:

6,656 hrs.oWork-Study saves:

$6, 159.40/ yr.oOffer 4 hrs time-and-

a-half: $13.20/hr.oHoliday pay cost:

$2,112/yr.oNew Budget:

$57,165

•Current Budget: $54, 751oMinimum Wage: $8.80

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Feasibility: Splitting Holidays EvenlySchedule◦Create survey: Shared Google Docs List holidays (10) Mark preferences 1,2,3 Tally preferences

◦Separate holidays evenly 30 shifts 7 communications staff 4 required holiday shifts (2 to

spare)

Feasibility: Inform Employees Upon Hiring

Schedule◦Add to pre-existing job application

◦Remind candidates during pre-employment interview

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ConclusionProblem: obligatory holiday shiftsBest Solution:

◦Holiday Pay◦Split holidays evenly among staff◦Inform students of requirements

upon hiringCauses Addressed:

◦Incentive◦Communication