Working mindfully by Kate Calder https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw Ideas board for B&L to inspire working simpler and smarter en-us 2021-09-29 06:20:48 UTC 2026-02-14 00:49:53 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4a1.png Give the Chair power to call conversations off line kcalder2 https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795044662 2021-10-06 02:18:02 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795044662 Avoid the cc kcalder2 https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795047174 2021-10-06 02:19:00 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795047174 Complete tasks in one go - it's faster kcalder2 https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795051975 2021-10-06 02:20:51 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795051975 Doona Days!! https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795207761 2021-10-06 03:22:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795207761 Some processes are connected to university wide milestones, such as HDR confirmations that need to be scheduled. so would this be core? https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795208271 2021-10-06 03:22:16 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795208271 cancel all AB meetings https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795208552 2021-10-06 03:22:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795208552 Cancel Deakin Achieve 2021 https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795210053 2021-10-06 03:23:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795210053 1.5 hr lunch breaks https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795210170 2021-10-06 03:23:05 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795210170 Permanent Links to Resources https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795210856 Hi - we seem to often have presentations to update or provide information on core support services (eg. research office etc). Could we instead have easy to access to links with easy to read information that can be accessed at any time. Thank you.]]> 2021-10-06 03:23:21 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795210856 late starts, early finishes https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795211330 2021-10-06 03:23:33 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795211330 https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795211421 reduce working hours. Later starting times, earlier finishing times. No point in a longer lunch. 

]]> 2021-10-06 03:23:36 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795211421 Move to Teams more? Would love to have this integrated with CloudDeakin (so much easier to interact with students) LtJ https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795211527 2021-10-06 03:23:39 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795211527 Cut out meeting with this part of the team, then that part of the team, then the whole team. Reporting at all those meetings on what we are doing. Have faith that we know what to do and are mature enough to ask if we need help. https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795211714 2021-10-06 03:23:44 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795211714 1 hour lunch breaks https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795212268 2021-10-06 03:23:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795212268 Give back... https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795212634 Give blood, platelets or plasma. It's a good distraction for a moment, and you will give something back. ]]> 2021-10-06 03:24:08 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795212634 Meditation (Relax) for few minutes to start your working day each day and after COB https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795213653 2021-10-06 03:24:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795213653 Have a Faculty recommended email signature line re "no after 6 or weekend communications" https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795213770 2021-10-06 03:24:37 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795213770 Support flexibility around working hours - don't make it prohibitive for staff to set their own hours that work best for them and their situation. There can be indirect barriers to this such as expectations around email responses, meeting times, and notification/approval of working hours. https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795215039 2021-10-06 03:25:06 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795215039 Phone numbers https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795215498 Maybe just a challenge for newer staff but it is hard to find professional staff phone numbers especially for the core support areas. The generic support email is great but not always the most efficient approach. Thank you.]]> 2021-10-06 03:25:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795215498 Be kind https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795216595 "the only means of fighting a plague is β€” common decency". Camus, The Plague. ]]> 2021-10-06 03:25:45 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795216595 Postpone reporting meetings and deakin achieve https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795217950 2021-10-06 03:26:15 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795217950 have a faculty wide lunch time. You set a time for yourself and then people disrespect the time blocked out https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795219880 2021-10-06 03:27:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795219880 Are there ways we can reduce administrative burdens in and around teaching? LtJ https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795220869 2021-10-06 03:27:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795220869 Automate assignment extension approvals https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795222196 2021-10-06 03:27:57 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795222196 Join the walking groups that have been set up https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795222415 2021-10-06 03:28:03 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795222415 Journalling has been incredibly helpfully this entire pandemic LtJ https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795223318 2021-10-06 03:28:26 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795223318 2 week slow down like what other Universities have done for staff https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795227539 2021-10-06 03:30:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795227539 Give staff Melbourne Cup day off https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795228902 2021-10-06 03:30:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795228902 Perhaps not assume that everyone wants to rush back to social activities? https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795233233 2021-10-06 03:32:51 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795233233 Take time once a day to do something for you https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795234731 2021-10-06 03:33:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795234731 4 day work week - a doona day per week until end of year. leannengo https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795236647 2021-10-06 03:34:25 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795236647 Put up Christmas trees early https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795242425 2021-10-06 03:36:59 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795242425 Where you can (within guidelines) make a meeting with 1 person and take a walk https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795244435 2021-10-06 03:37:50 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795244435 Recognise the additional load teaching is taking in practice (actual time for tasks) and adjust workload to recognise this by 20% https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795249252 2021-10-06 03:39:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795249252 Acknowledge research outputs need to recognise Covid 19 (lockdown) adjustment. The same outputs are not achievable in the workload allocation model 2020-2021/22 https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795251935 2021-10-06 03:41:13 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795251935 If you send an email, specify what action the person needs to take (if any) or if it's fyi. and ask (respectfully) what time frame they can respond by. https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795252969 2021-10-06 03:41:44 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795252969 Be careful https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795258451 Please be careful about stigmatising mental health and wellbeing, as many of these effects will take time to emerge, and may not be fixable by doing less "stuff". ]]> 2021-10-06 03:44:26 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795258451 If a meeting can be handled offline via circulation it should be - only meet on Zoom if it cant be resolved https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795260452 2021-10-06 03:45:27 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795260452 Make time to go for a walk with one colleague each week (where within guidelines) https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795264800 2021-10-06 03:47:33 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795264800 low value is better termed discretionary https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795266853 2021-10-06 03:48:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795266853 Identify time consuming processes. johnking14 https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795313298 Processes that academic staff find cumbersome is not well understood.
If we could gather a hitlist in terms of the most time consuming, there may be options for improvement. Some will be out of reach (i.e. University led - such as assignment extensions), but others may be achievable even in the short term (e.g. research expenditure approvals).
That said, need to be mindful of introducing more change, and the impacts on staff. Ideas that are low change but high reward is what we're looking for.]]> 2021-10-06 04:12:20 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795313298 https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795315535 A lot of "low value" (actually important, but not directly productive) work is being pushed onto academics because of major workplace change in the professional staff.  How is this going to help the University in the long run?  The losses to Deakin will be hidden until some time in the future when reduced research productivity and increased researcher burnout rates start to surface.

To fix this, set up someone in the faculty to handle these tasks for academics.  We do them so seldom, but they are so complex and there are so many different ones, plus there's a huge learning curve each and every time.  This is costing us a lot of productive time.]]> 2021-10-06 04:13:41 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795315535 No questions asked 'Lockdown leave' to maintain/improve mental wellbeing. One workplace is calling it "Feel Good Fridays". https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-05/black-dog-institute-calls-for-mental-health-leave-post-lockdown/100512990 https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795319548 2021-10-06 04:16:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795319548 ACU gave their staff Wednesday mornings off for a period as a well-being time - in recognition of the stress staff are under. In recognition that less stressed staff are more productive. β€œIt will provide a half day a week for you to focus on what you know makes you well … it might be a walk outdoors, an online fitness class, a coffee catch-up, reading a novel, or time spent in prayer or meditation,” Vice Chancellor Zlatko Skrbis tell staff. (People with immoveable commitments can take their WWB at other times). https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795361560

]]> 2021-10-06 04:40:40 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1795361560 If there is no agenda - reconsider the need to meet. https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797947140 2021-10-06 22:51:35 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797947140 If possible - always start on time and end early. Everyone appreciates and early finish to a meeting. https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797948164 2021-10-06 22:52:19 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797948164 Focus on core business. Everything else needs to take a back seat. https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797950284 2021-10-06 22:53:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797950284 Pick up the phone (teams, skype whatever) - and have a quick chat. Often better than email. https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797951145 2021-10-06 22:54:30 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797951145 We have meeting free Friday's - how much better would an early finish be! https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797951964 2021-10-06 22:55:05 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797951964 Think before you CC in all staff to emails. https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797953444 2021-10-06 22:55:55 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797953444 For those with children - of any age - I see you, I feel you. https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797954847 2021-10-06 22:56:53 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1797954847 activate 'focus time' in microsoft outlook in calendar leannengo https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1798886968 2021-10-07 06:35:06 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1798886968 Use the thumbs up icon in microsoft outlook emails rather than to reply for agreement/thank you. leannengo https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1798888354 2021-10-07 06:35:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1798888354 Can't see how doona days, long lunches and extra days off are "working simpler and smarter"? bronwynkelly https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1863679011 2021-11-03 04:50:21 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1863679011 Repurpose Deakin Achieve https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1863986883 Change the way we approach Deakin Achieve to be more about staff wellbeing and development, rather than just evaluating performance. It should be a check-in rather than a big annual review.]]> 2021-11-03 08:15:10 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1863986883 Do we actually need all of the committees that we have? https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1864015702 Look at the decisions that need to be made in the Faculty, where they are currently being made, and what committees we are required to have under policy (eg Faculty Board and APC) and use those committees more effectively rather than establishing new committees to cover niche areas. 
We also have many staff who are on the same committees so their time could be used more effectively. Agendas are often full of reports and items for information that could be shared in other ways rather than holding a meeting. 
My suggestion is to make better use of Faculty Board and reduce the number of discretionary committees in the Faculty. ]]> 2021-11-03 08:31:45 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1864015702 Newsletters https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1864018789 Any chance we could consider having just one Faculty newsletter? Exec Dean, DBS Dean, Head of Department, etc is too many. 
Plus do professional staff and academic staff get the same news?]]> 2021-11-03 08:33:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1864018789 Agree that we need to reduce the number of committees and get them working more effectively. Fac board seems to be under utilised and staff that have nominated don't feel that they have enough to do. https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1883102662 Also aware that some staff end up on lots of committees so they are over burdened and the decision making group is narrow.]]> 2021-11-11 03:09:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1883102662 Can we please meet Matthew? https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1883104526 2021-11-11 03:10:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kcalder2/ktwqcavchubnoduw/wish/1883104526