Shared Services Frequently Asked Questions – as of February 14, 2012
Ref # / Question / Answer /1. / What is the job location? / The permanent location(s) for the Shared Services Center is being finalized. To support the April and June rollouts the Shared Services Center will operate out of the Hurley Building at 19 Staniford Street (Cambridge Street) in Boston.
2. / Is there parking? / Public Parking is available in the vicinity of the Hurley Building but the cost to park must be borne solely by the employee.
3. / If I have an office now, will I be guaranteed an office at the Shared Services Center? / The Shared Services Center will embrace a collaborative working style which includes low walled cubes, small meeting spaces, and a minimal number of traditional offices for the leadership team. There is no guarantee of receiving an office.
4. / Will I keep the same shift I currently have? / The Shared Services Center will be open from 6:30 am to 6pm and will need to be staffed to accommodate peak volumes during certain days during the payroll cycle. These extended hours will afford employees the ability to have non-traditional schedules, including the potential for 4 day work weeks. Schedules for individuals will be determined during the orientation/training period prior to go-live.
5. / I am currently a part-time employee. Can I work on a part-time basis at the Shared Services Center? / The positions are being posted as full time positions; however, we would encourage you to apply, as there may be some opportunity for job sharing.
6. / What will happen to my pay? / Shared Services Specialists will be in NAGE Unit 6, Job Grade 13 and Shared Services Supervisors will be in NAGE Unit 6, Job Grade 15. Lateral transfers will be considered first. If these job grades represent a promotion for you and you are selected for one of the positions, your pay would be adjusted in accordance with article 12 of the collective bargaining agreement.
7. / Can I stay in my current building? / Unfortunately you will not be able to stay in your current location. Part of the culture of Shared Services is to co-locate employees to enable knowledge sharing and delivery of exceptional customer service to the employees of the Commonwealth.
8. / Since work location is changing, will my travel to the Shared Service Center from my home be subsidized? / No, Shared Services will not subsidize any additional commuting cost to the Shared Services Center.
9. / Do I have to work holidays? / At this time, the Shared Services Center will be closed on Massachusetts state holidays; however, holidays that fall on a payroll Monday may require skeleton staffing.
10. / I am currently a supervisor. Do I keep my supervisor status? / There are job opportunities at both the Specialist and Supervisor level. The number of Supervisor positions is limited however. Please indicate your preference for consideration on your cover letter.
11. / Do I keep my seniority? / Yes, existing employees will carry all seniority and civil service status with them to the Shared Services Center.
12. / When does the transition from my agency to the Shared Service Center occur? / If selected, your start date will be mutually agreed upon between Shared Services and your agency to enable a thoughtful transition out of your current role. Start dates are schedule for early April (for April 23 rollout), early May (for June rollout), and September (for October rollout).
13. / Will I be evaluated by my current supervisor before I move? / Yes, your supervisor should close out your existing EPRS prior to your transition to the Shared Services Center.
14. / How will I be received at the Shared Services Center? / The Shared Services Center is expected to be a new, vibrant organization bringing together HR talent from around the Commonwealth. It is our expectation that all employees will help to create a team culture and foster mutual respect amongst co-workers.
As part of the transition to Shared Services, employees will receive a number of weeks of training including sessions on the new Self-Service Time & Attendance tools and new Customer Service related tools as well as participate in team and culture building activities.
15. / Is there a limit to the number of positions or types of positions that I can apply to? / In the application process, we ask you to apply for a Shared Services Specialist position, a Shared Services Supervisor position, or both. Assignment to the appropriate function will be based on interviews with applicants.
16. / Will a CORI check be done on applicants? / No
17. / Who is the ADA Coordinator at the Shared Service Center? If needed, how can I contact the ADA coordinator? / Scott Olson (HRD)
18. / Does the Shared Service Center allow telecommuting? / At this time, Shared Services expects employees to be onsite at the Shared Services location(s). We will make provisions for remote access should situations such as weather emergencies occur.
19. / Will I be able to take my comp time and personal time with me? / All existing leave balances will travel with employees to the Shared Services Center
20. / If I interview for a position and chose not to take it or am not selected will that negatively affect my standing in my current agency. / Once the Shared Services position offers are made, agencies will need to determine what functions may be available for those individuals remaining in the agency.
21. / What will happen if I don’t want to go to the Shared Services Center? Will I be guaranteed a position at my agency? / Every effort will be made to retrain and redeploy staff that remains in the agencies.
22. / Can I return to my agency if I’m unhappy in the Shared Services Center? / If an employee transitions to Shared Services and they wish to return to their agency, they would need to apply and be selected for a funded vacancy.
23. / Will there be promotional opportunities at the Shared Services Center? / For some, yes, depending on your current job grade. See answer # 6 above
24. / Will there be flexible schedules at the Shared Service Center? / The Shared Services Center will be open from 6:30 am to 6pm and will need to be staffed to accommodate peak volumes during certain days during the payroll cycle. These extended hours will afford employees the ability to have non-traditional schedules. Schedules for individuals will be determined during the orientation/training period prior to go-live.
25. / Is there an opportunity to specialize in the Shared Service Center? / There will be both opportunities to specialize as well as opportunities to broaden your experiences in Shared Services. While you will work primarily in Customer Service or Time & Attendance, it is likely that peak volumes may afford you the opportunity to work temporarily in the other function. As the scope of Shared Services expands in the future, there will be additional opportunities to experience new functions and types of Human Resources work.
26. / When will other functions (recruiting, training etc) be moving to Shared Services? / Work to evaluate additional functions moving to Shared Services will begin in Summer 2012 with implementation likely in early 2013.
27. / If my agency is not in the first rollout, do I still need to apply for position or can I wait until June or October. / We are completing the staffing process during the months of February and March to prepare for all three rollouts of Shared Services. While staffing decisions will be made in the near future, start dates may be in April, May, or September and will be mutually decided upon by Shared Services and your agency.
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