The Personnel Office organized the "Positive Workplace and Staff Development Briefing Session: Managing Challenging Workplace" on March 5, 2014. In the briefing session, Department Chairpersons, Unit Heads and executives were introduced to the concepts of positive communication and staff development actively promoted by the University.
Professor Michael Hui, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Committee, was invited to give an opening address at the occasion. He shared with participants the Committee's objectives and tasks, which include organizing training activities and other initiatives on both the primary/preventive and secondary/remedial fronts. Professor Hui also shared his observations on the common problems encountered in the CUHK workplaces and emphasized the importance of an early identification and timely handling of such problems, which in his opinion, was essential ingredient for nurturing a working relationship with mutual trust and understanding. In his view, a positive workplace not only enhances positive emotions, values and interests in the job experience, but is also conducive to the efficiency and effectiveness of the department's operations. In view of this, the University allocates resources and designates officers for handling staff training and complaints, improving relationship among staff members, and suggesting ways of maintaining good communication.
In the second part of the briefing session, Ms. Beatrice Hung, a registered psychologist and an accredited mediator, did a lively presentation. Through short lectures and case analysis, Ms. Hung demonstrated the skills in handling challenging people issues in the workplace and shared tips in improving interpersonal relationship and avoiding misunderstanding.
Then came Ms. Carmen Ng, Senior Consultant of Hong Kong Christian Service, who shared her experience in launching the Employee Assistance Programme ("EAP") in big and small enterprises. Participants were impressed by the wide scope of subjects that has been handled by the EAP hotline and the ready support of the EAP counselors.
It was an encouraging start of the PWSD initiatives. There were over 120 participants and it was an attentive audience. The Committee will be launching a series of activities with an aim to promote positive communication with you hand in hand. With the inheritance of the CUHK spirit, our staff members will be ready to face new challenges ahead of them!
