Orientation
Benefits: The Department of Human Resources will provide a benefit package orientation to all new staff. The employee or supervisor may call to schedule a time. It is preferred that the orientation be conducted during the first week of employment to allow the employee adequate time in which to make their benefit choices. The Human Resource staff will also cover polices with all Managerial/Professional and Office/Service staff at this time.
Department: The Department is responsible for orientating faculty and staff to their area and duties. The Department is also responsible for completing the appropriate payroll paperwork.
Campus: The Department or a campus mentor/volunteer will normally provide new faculty and staff with an orientation to the campus including a campus tour.
Probationary Periods
There are two different types of probation to which an employee may be subject.
Initial Probationary Period: All Office/Service employees new to the University of Nebraska at Kearney are subject to a 180-day initial probationary period. Management/Professional employees may be subject to an intital probation upon supervisor's request. This period of time is part of the employee selection process. It is a time for both newly hired employees and their supervisors to determine the employee's suitability to the job. An employee's initial probationary period may be extended to a maximum of twelve months if the supervisor:
- Submits a written request for an extension to the Director of Human Resources, and
- Completes the evaluation form sent to the supervisor by the Human Resources Office. Evaluations are automatically sent to the supervisor by the Human Resources Office near the end of the employee's first six months on the job; supervisors may request evaluations be sent out earlier.
An employee may be dismissed during the initial probationary period for any reason except illegal discrimination. Employees serving an initial probationary period are not eligible to apply for vacant University positions outside their own departments without the approval of the Director of Human Resources.
Disciplinary Probationary Period: Any Office/Service or Managerial/ Professional employee who fails to satisfactorily perform the duties and responsibilities of his or her position or to comply with University policies, procedures, and regulations may be subject to disciplinary probation. Supervisors may place an employee on disciplinary probation for up to 180 days with the approval of the Director of Human Resources. Employees on disciplinary probation status are not eligible for pay increases and may be dismissed for any reason except illegal discrimination.
Training
UNK offers a variety of training programs throughout the year including safety, computer, professional development, health and wellness, and many more. The training schedule is not predetermined each year but training sessions are normally announced via the UNK All Subscribers e-mail and through campus mailings.
Mentoring
The Staff Senate group is responsible for developing and maintaining a mentoring program for all Office, Service and Managerial/Professional Staff. The purpose of the program is to help new staff become acquainted with UNK and have a person to assist them with general questions about the campus. More information can be found on the Mentoring Page of Staff Senate.
Faculty should contact their Department Chair or Dean for information on what is available to faculty.