People and culture news - Edition 3

Welcome to your People and Culture update where we highlight everything from academic excellence to new starters, goal setting for career success and our shared values.  

In this edition of People and Culture news, we remind you of the important dates for the PDP process and share with you some timely tips on remote working.

Are you new here?

Welcome to the team...

We hope you settle in nicely and wish you every success in your new roles. If you’re an “old hand” and happen to see these new faces around the office, introduce yourself and make them feel at home.

The value of self-reflection

Our 6 monthly performance development plan (PDP) process is just around the corner. We regard this process as a rewarding way to reflect individually and as a team on strengths and developmental areas. Rating scales have been removed from the review to allow the process to focus on constructive discussions between manager and team member that celebrate team member strengths and accomplishments, identify professional developmental areas and discuss how these can be mastered. 

Some tips on how you can get the most out of this process:

• Reflect on your accomplishments. What are they? What impact did they have? Don’t be shy – own the great stuff you’ve achieved.
• Identify your goals. What do you want out of your career? What do you want your future at Ulton to look like? Are you happy with the path you’re on now? What do you need to do to achieve your goal – do you have training needs; can you gain exposure now to new tasks that align with your goal?
• Come with some prepared questions? The PDP is a place for constructive discussion. Often team members come prepared for their manager to do all the talking. Really constructive and valuable reviews involve round table discussions.
• Be ready to receive and engage with feedback. If you get nervous about receiving feedback try to anticipate feedback areas to better prepare yourself. Attend the meeting with an open mind and if you aren’t sure how to respond to feedback, you can always suggest taking some time to sit with the information and coming back with suggestions at another time.

Important PDP dates to keep in mind:

• Between 26/06/2023 - 3/07/2023 - Team members will complete their self-assessment form. (Form accessible from 26/06/2023 via ELMO).
• Between 4/07/2023 - 12/07/2023 - Managers will complete team member assessment form.
• Between 13/07/2023 - 27/07/2023 - PDP meetings with team member, manager and people and culture manager will be conducted (calendar invites have been distributed).
• Between 31/07/2023 - 4/08/2023 - PDP meeting with Senior Partner (team member with Daryl Corpe and Mark McLean) will be conducted (calendar invites have been distributed).

Work from home tips

As some of the Ulton Bundaberg team embark on a work-from-home stint during the renovations, it is timely that we share with you a few tips to work from home successfully. 

While working remotely comes with its share of perks, it can also be difficult to stay productive and focused without the structure and routine of an office environment.

Fortunately, there are a few simple tips you can follow to manage your time and make working from home a success.

Tidy your workspace - It's important to create a tidy workspace in your home so that you can differentiate between work and personal time. Dedicate some time to putting some finer touches on your workspace to ensure it will work effectively for you. 

Set a schedule and routine - Creating a schedule and routine for your workday can help you stay on track and maximise your productivity. Set specific work hours and stick to them as much as possible. Take breaks regularly to move around, stretch, and re-energize.

Dress for success – Work from homers are required to maintain our Ulton attire standards however can adopt a “news presenter style” approach. Business shirt or blouse is non-negotiable. We shouldn’t see t-shirts, polos, flannies, PJs or singlets when you dial in for a video conference. Pants are a must (obviously) however can take on a more casual style if this is appropriate. Dressing professionally will also help put you in the right mindset to take on the day and will maintain Ulton’s professional business image.

Stay connected with colleagues - Working from home can be isolating, so it's important to stay connected with your colleagues as much as possible. Use video conferencing tools to hold virtual meetings, schedule regular check-ins with colleagues, and use Teams chat to stay in touch throughout the day. Also, remember to check out the Team Ulton channel in Teams daily to stay up to date with what’s going on around Ulton.

By establishing a dedicated, tidy workspace, sticking to a routine, dressing for success and staying connected, you'll set yourself up for success as a remote worker. With a little discipline, you can successfully manage your time and stay productive while enjoying the benefits of working from home.

Wanted: Awesome people

We’re currently looking for talented, skilled and enthusiastic people to become part of the next chapter in Ulton’s success in the following roles:

• Senior Accountant | Business Services | Brisbane, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gladstone or Remote
• Intermediate Accountant | Business Services | Bundaberg, Fraser Coast
•  Bookkeeper | Bookkeeping | Bundaberg
• Receptionist | Corporate Services | Bundaberg
  

Remember, internal applications are most welcome.

If you are interested personally, or have a great recommendation, please make contact with me, Ammie, at acauchi@ulton.net

And don’t forget to check our Team Handbook for more information about our Team Member Referral Bonus policy. You may be eligible for a $7500 bonus. 

1. To share a specific job advertisement, go to:
2. https://ulton.elmotalent.com.au/careers/careers/jobs
3. Scroll to our vacancies (bottom of page)
4. Click on the job you wish to share
5. Scroll to bottom of page and click the Facebook or LinkedIn share buttons (see picture below)

For the complete list of career opportunities, go to: https://ulton.elmotalent.com.au/careers/careers/jobs