Monday, January 7, 2019

Workday goes live today at Waterloo

After 18 months of efforts by more than 40 staff from both Human Resources and Information Systems & Technology, employees at Waterloo will now have access to the new HR system, Workday.

The University of Waterloo is one of the first higher education institutions in Canada to launch Workday, an advanced system that makes HR processes easier and more efficient. Workday reduces paper forms and automates a number of processes, including booking absence and vacation, tracking overtime hours, updating personal and banking information and more.

“We’re so pleased to be able to offer employees enhanced HR services with Workday,” said Kenton Needham, Executive Director, Human Resources. “Throughout implementation, campus engagement and the client experience were top priorities. Not only were HR and IST involved, but we gathered feedback from staff and faculty across campus beginning at the RFP stage through to the final build of the system.”

“In 2019, we’ll continue to work with campus to make improvements to ensure Workday and HR services are meeting the needs of employees at the University.”

How to get started with Workday

You can find login instructions and a “getting started checklist” on the Workday website. Going through the checklist will help you familiarize yourself with the new system, which is very user friendly. Workday user guides and instructions for downloading the Workday mobile app are also available on the site.

Workday Support Centre

Any questions about using Workday can be directed to the Workday Support Centre.

Email workday@uwaterloo.ca

Call the Workday help desk at extension 33000 (M-F, 8:30am – 4:30pm)

Visit the Workday Support Centre: EC1-1004 (drop-in hours M-F, 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm) or email to book an appointment.

Intellectual Property Workshop Series continues

The first of 2019’s UWaterloo Intellectual Property Workshop Series is set for Thursday, January 10. The workshop is entitled “IP 101 and Commercialization” and will feature Eric Luvisotto, who will cover the basics of Intellectual Property (IP) protection with a focus on patents.

Attendees will learn about the different types of IP protection available and some of the most common pitfalls to avoid, and can learn about the resources available at the University of Waterloo, including the Waterloo Commercialization Office (WatCo). Hear how IP is used to commercialize technology through licensing or start-up creation.

The workshop takes place in DC 1304 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The workshop series is presented by WatCo and supported by the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB) and the Games Institute. These events are open to all Waterloo faculty, staff, and students. Registration is required for each event to ensure there is enough pizza and pop for all.

Here to help as Winter term begins with Orientation for new students

As students return to campus for Winter term, there are also new undergraduate and graduate students who are starting their first term at Waterloo. Many new students participated in Winter Orientation programming this past Saturday including campus tours, student service presentations, and sessions with upper year students. New students will also participate in a networking lunch on Friday, January 11 to wrap up their first week of classes.

Staff and faculty are invited to wear their Here to Help buttons through the first few weeks of the term. Doing so helps students feel welcome and lets them know they can ask you for directions or about services.