CNY Employer of Distinction Awards, sponsored by CNY SHRM/United Way Success By Six and MACNY

In October 2008, Human Resources was awarded a CNY Employer of Distinction Award in the category of "Best Practices in HR Technology." Below is a summary of HR's submission for consideration for this award.

In response to the expanding SUNY Upstate Medical University (Upstate) campus, the HR Department began exploring innovative ways to utilize the internet and web applications to provide more efficient services to customers.  As a result of this review, in 2007 and 2008 HR initiated several web based applications into business operations which focused on two primary areas:
	Mary Wasilewski of Classification and Compensation and Eric Frost, AVP of Human Resources

1. Reduction in paper flow processes and
2. System generated e-mail notifications. 

A variety of automated functions which can be easily accessed by managers and employees 24/7 to review and update administrative information online were developed which include:

• Entering supervisory changes for employees
• Position credential (registration, certification) expiration notification
• Employee annual health assessment notification
• On-line performance management and mandatory education reports to assist in tracking and timely completion of employee evaluations and mandatory education requirements
• Employee injury reporting
• Recording and reporting volunteer activities

Other key process improvements facilitated by web applications include:

• 2005 implementation of online employment system
• 2008 redesign of HR website with emphasis on needs of internal customers and ease of use.