The future of work at Ryerson
To: MAC, OPSEU, CUPE 233, RFA Academic Admin, Senior Administration
Leaders received a version of this communication in August in order to prepare for the work ahead. We’re now excited to share this information more broadly with employees.
In May 2020, I announced the creation of an Opportunities Group to look for new ways of operating. One of the projects to come out of this committee is the Future of Work Project.
Over the last 18 months, we have collectively demonstrated that we are capable of successfully operating beyond the traditional model of work. The goal of the Future of Work Project is to harness this momentum and the lessons learned along the way to explore what a more flexible work experience at Ryerson could be like.
The future of work is hybrid
After several months of consultations with senior leaders, an employee survey, best practice research and an organizational analysis, we have determined that the future of work at Ryerson will be a hybrid workforce model. This means our workforce will have employees who work on campus, employees who work remotely, and employees who do a combination of both.
The future of work at Ryerson is not one-size-fits-all. Departments will have a high degree of autonomy to determine the level of flexibility for individual employees based on a number of factors, including operational needs and the nature of the work employees do.
The future of work at Ryerson is not prescriptive. It will be guided by a set of principles for leaders to adapt the ways we work so that together we can develop a stronger, more robust, more flexible approach to serving our community. In turn, we can cultivate improvements in the employee experience, and in the way we get things done.
A phased, gradual approach
Moving to a hybrid workforce won’t happen with a flip of a switch. This transition will be phased and gradual, and departments will set their own pace over the next few years.
The first phase will focus primarily on administrative units and staff working in faculties. Many units will be early adopters and will be ready to implement new ways of working in the fall semester. Other units, in particular some faculties, may need time to develop their plans, aiming towards implementation in January or later. A new remote work policy will launch in the fall.
Check out our website
A Future of Work website has been launched where you can learn more about the new ways of working, the framework of the program and steps leaders will take to get us there. Watch for more resources to be added through the fall.
I am excited about what the future holds for our employees at Ryerson. Moving to a hybrid workforce supports wellbeing, improves the employee experience and provides us new opportunities to be innovative and collaborative. It also allows us to reconsider the ways we use our downtown space to better support the student experience, because as always, the quality of student experience, course delivery and SRC must be at the centre of all future of work decisions.
Questions?
The Future of Work project team will be available to support departments as they develop their future of work plans.
If you have any questions about the future of work at Ryerson, please connect with your leader.
Mohamed Lachemi
President and Vice-Chancellor