University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

UB recognized for workplace initiatives

UB’s ongoing efforts to improve the work life of its employees have been recognized by Buffalo Business First with a designation as a “great place to work” and with an inaugural Independent Health Healthy Workplace Award.

For the third consecutive year, UB was a finalist in the “jumbo” category—companies employing 1,000 or more—in Buffalo Business First’s annual “Great Places to Work in Western New York” ranking. Erie 1 Boces was named the winner over four other finalists in the category at a luncheon held on March 25.

During the luncheon, UB was named as one of seven recipients of the first Independent Health Healthy Workplace Award. The award recognizes employers that have developed a culture that supports health and wellness, offering their employees “a variety of opportunities to learn more about their health and well being, all while fostering a sense of collaboration to reach a shared vision of not only creating a healthier workplace, but also healthier lives.”

The other Healthy Workplace Award winners were Aero Instruments & Avionics Inc., Allegany Arc, The Bonadio Group, Ciurczak & Co. Inc., LPCiminelli Inc. and Time Warner.

The Business First “Great Places to Work in Western New York” rankings were based on the results of Web-based employee surveys that included questions related to nine themes: team effectiveness, retention risk, alignment with goals, trust with co-workers, individual contribution, manager effectiveness, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued and work engagement.

Help evaluate UB’s Web presence

The Web Content Initiative is seeking input from faculty and staff as it develops university-wide standards for design, structure and content for UB Web sites that will allow users find information on these sites more quickly and easily.

These Web standards would include the use of common terminology and placement of navigational tools, among other things.

Input from faculty and staff at all skill levels—from novice to power user—who routinely use UB Web sites is needed.

Anyone interested in participating and can spare 20 minutes on a Thursday morning should complete this survey.

EAP to sponsor working moms group

UB faculty and staff who are working mothers and would like to discuss common issues and concerns with other women who are balancing their home and work lives can attend the UB Working Moms Group, sponsored by the Employee Assistance Program.

The informal lunch sessions will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the Student Union, North Campus, starting April 8.

Attendance is limited. For more information and to reserve a spot, contact Crystal Kaczmarek-Bogner at 829-2144 or clk6@buffalo.edu.

Men interested in forming a working dads group should call 645-4461.