Spotlight On:

Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)

The Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) team provides a variety of technological support to the staff in HR, as well as all campus employees. We are committed to maintaining high quality and customer-focused technology that integrates and coordinates with university needs. We work to ensure data integrity in the PeopleSoft Human Capital Management (HCM) system, troubleshoot system problems for the majority of the functions in the software, and support the development, implementation and integration of HCM into SJSU business processes. In addition, we conduct research, analyze employee data, and provide reports to HR staff, as well as other departments on campus and the Chancellor’s Office.

HRIS is also responsible for the development and maintenance of the HR website, the development and distribution of HR’s newsletter, HR Buzz, and also oversees the creation and distribution of accessible forms and documents.

The HRIS team is managed by Carrie Medders, Senior Director of Human Resources, and is comprised of the following staff who are more than happy to assist you with your HR data and technology needs:

Kim Aldridge - HRIS Lead
Leads the day-to-day work of the HRIS team; Supports/Troubleshoots PeopleSoft Absence Management, Benefits and Time & Labor; Leads testing and integration for PeopleSoft HCM functions; Writes reports and PeopleSoft queries

Lisa Chen - Business Analyst
Supports/Troubleshoots PeopleSoft Recruiting, Position Management and Workforce Administration; Participates in testing and integration for PeopleSoft HCM functions; Writes PeopleSoft queries

Francis Sweetman - Web and Documentation Analyst
Maintains the HR website and all HR forms; Creates and distributes HR Buzz; Participates in testing and integration for PeopleSoft HCM functions

Spartans Stepping Beyond Goes Green!

The Spartans Stepping Beyond program was created to allow faculty, staff and students to recognize their fellow Spartans who go above and beyond their regular job duties to satisfy a customer or to make sure that a process is done thoroughly and correctly. The program has been in place a little more than two years and has been met with positive feedback across campus. We see certificates proudly displayed in cubes and offices and love reading about the great things happening in every corner of the Spartan community.

In our efforts to support a greener campus, we have converted our hard-copy certificates to an electronic format. This will allow us to notify our recognized Spartans in a more timely manner while also reducing workload and saving money. We would love your feedback to this change and encourage you to Recognize a Fellow Spartan today!

Stretch Breaks & Ergonomic Evaluations

Earlier this year HR released the Stretch Break software through iSupport. HR is happy to announce that Stretch Break is now available for both Mac and PC! Please visit Ergonomics on the HR website and click the Stretch Break Software button to start the installation process. Enjoy your stretches!

Ergonomic evaluations and training are designed to analyze and evaluate an employee’s workspace, equipment, body mechanics, posture, and workflow to promote a more efficient and productive workspace. This can be very helpful in preventing discomfort and injury associated with repetitive motions, unchanging and/or poor posture and forceful motions or grips on objects.

Before requesting an ergonomic evaluation, employees should review the Ergonomics webpage and complete the US Department of Labor - Computer Workstation eTool Evaluation. We also recommended completing the CSU Computer Workstation Ergonomics training course that is available online via the SJSU Skillport Portal.

In order to improve the ergonomic evaluation request process, HR has created an online Ergonomic Evaluation Request Form. All requests for ergonomic evaluations must be submitted using this new online form. Upon receipt of this request, the Ergonomic Program Analyst will contact the requestor via email to schedule an evaluation within three (3) business days.

Once the ergonomic evaluation has been completed, a report will be provided to the employee and his/her appropriate administrator. The report will identify key workstation adjustments and provide recommendations, for any related ergonomic equipment items. 

There is no fee for an ergonomic evaluation; however, the employee’s appropriate administrator must approve the purchase of any ergonomic related equipment. Purchases are made from the department’s budget.

Please contact Michaux Burchard with any questions about the Stretch Break installation or the Ergonomics program at (408) 924-2155 or michaux.burchard@sjsu.edu. We would appreciate your feedback on the new process for requesting ergonomic evaluations and the ergonomic evaluation report. 

Buzz on...Carwin Liang

When you have employment questions or just need some guidance with your day to day work, Carwin Liang is your person. Carwin joined San José State in 2013 and is currently the Sr. Employee Relations Analyst in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Employee Relations. While working full-time, Carwin used the fee waiver program and recently received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration. You want to hear more about his journey? Read on!

Q. Where did you grow up?

A. I grew up on a tiny, tiny and I stress, tiny island called Saipan, which is next to Guam. Saipan is 5,834 miles from San José State University. I was born and raised in Saipan, but when I was 7 years old, I was sent to a boarding school in China. When I was 11, I went back to Saipan to live with my grandparents and later completed 2 years of high school. At age 16, I moved to the United States where I graduated from Piedmont Hills High School.

Q. What do you like to eat?

A. A little of everything, but if I have to choose, I enjoy eating raw fish which some of you know as "Sashimi". In order to feed my craving, I enjoy going to Okayama in San Jose’s Japantown.

Q. What is your favorite spot on campus?

A. My favorite spot is the Boccardo Business Center. I spent a lot of time there attending classes.

Q. What is the most satisfying part of your job?

A. Knowing I did the right thing for Management and/or Staff, either through a labor related issue or a difficult question. 

Q. How do you spend your time outside of work?

A. Cooking! I love, love, love to cook with my friends. I enjoy cooking pot stickers with Chinese chives. This is therapeutic for me.

Q. Who is someone that inspires you?

A. The person that inspires me the most is my mom, and she works really hard to achieve her goals. My mom works 16 hour days, 7 days a week, and still finds time to complete housework. She puts her children’s happiness in front of her own. My mom never complains because she was taught how to appreciate things that are given to you. 

Have you seen red, yellow, blue and green blocks sitting on a coworker’s desk? Have you heard people mentioning Insights and color energies but aren’t sure what it’s all about? Departments all over campus have gone through the Insights Discovery workshop and learned how to better adapt and connect with one another using Insight’s unique four color model.

Productive teamwork is about relationships. It’s about each team member understanding their role, contribution to the group and the part they play in helping the team succeed. Insights Discovery helps team members gain a unique insight into who they are, who their team members are, and how relationships can be optimized.

Human Resources, together with Spartan Shops, has a team of certified Insights practitioners who facilitate the interactive and engaging Insights Discovery workshop for departments or teams. For more information, visit the Insights Discovery webpage on the HR website, or email insights@sjsu.edu.

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