The first three months are critical for ensuring that you are both engaged and successful in your new role here at the Arnold Arboretum. It is also a time to become more accustomed to the Arboretum’s culture, specifically around career development. Please read through this portal to learn more!
The 90 Day Orientation and Review Period
Time-frame and Purpose
Generally, the first 90 days of employment is an orientation and review period (sometimes referred to as the probationary period). During this time both the employee and the supervisor should consider and evaluate the suitability of the placement. Supervisors are encouraged to use this period to review and discuss with the employee his or her progress in meeting the requirements of the position and in adapting to the work environment as a whole. At the end of the period, a meeting will be initiated by the manager to discuss the employees progress and a form will be completed online in PeopleSoft through a performance management process called ePerformance (ePerformance Orientation and Review Summary).
Extensions to the Orientation and Review Period
In some cases, 90 days may not be sufficient to evaluate the suitability of a placement. In certain instances, the complexity of the position or other departmental staffing and/or operational considerations may require an extension of the orientation and review period of up to 90 days to fully assess the suitability of the placement. The terms of the extension should be in writing, signed and acknowledged by the employee and discussed in advance with the local human resources office.
Paid Time Off during the Orientation and Review Period
Although paid time off (vacation, personal and sick days) begins to accrue immediately upon hire, employees are not eligible to take vacation or personal days during the orientation and review period except with the prior approval of their supervisor.
Free Adult Education Programs at the Arnold Arboretum
Employees, Fellows, and Interns are welcome to attend adult education lectures and classes on a space-available basis free of charge. Check in with Pam Thompson, Manager of Adult Education, to let her know what you are interested in attending so that she can register you. All of our events (tours, lectures, and classes) are listed on the calendar on the Arboretum’s website or visit http://my.arboretum.harvard.edu. If a program is listed as free, you can register yourself via either link provided.
Harvard Training Portal
Harvard Training Portal is your one stop shop for browsing course offerings, take online training, and enroll in seminars and workshops throughout the University. The site is also host to many resources and print outs for topics such as Peoplesoft and ePerformance.
Lynda.com
LyndaCampus offers over 4,000 courses on Microsoft, Adobe, and Apple products, as well as business skills, computer programming and web design, audio and video tools, and more, all taught by industry experts. Access to Lynda is provided free of charge to Harvard students, faculty, and staff through the University’s Center for Workplace Development. Click here to log in!
Concur
Create and process expense reports more efficiently with Concur, Harvard University’s new reimbursement tool. Concur allows users to upload receipts with their mobile phone, imports corporate credit card transactions automatically for direct entry into expense reports, and offers more visibility into the status of reimbursements.
For details and guides to creating expense reports, please visit: travel.harvard.edu/concur.
24 Hour Concur User Support: 866‐793‐4040
Harvard User Support: concurhelp@harvard.edu or 617‐495‐7760, opton 1
Click here for a quick start guide.
Problem Resolution
Discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements is unlawful and intolerable to the University.
Resources available to you include:
- Supervisor
Human Resources (617) 384-5761
Employee & Labor Relations Office (617) 495-5118
Office of the Assistant to the President http://www.oap.harvard.edu/
Office of the Coordinator for Persons with Disabilities (617) 495-1859
Consult personnel manual on hr.harvard.edu
Ombudsman Office https://ombudsman.harvard.edu/
Melissa Brodrick, Ombudsperson Confidential phone: (617) 432-4040
Questions or Concerns about Ethics
Confidential University Helpline (1-877-694-2ASK)