With the recent budget cuts endangering the jobs of many University faculty and staff, Human Resource Management has stepped in to provide support to its now-former employees.
A transition team has been created to assist the recently laid-off faculty with various resources that are available on and off campus, said Mimi Ruebsamen, executive director of employment for HRM.
“We have taken a number of steps to provide support to employees whose positions may have been impacted by budget reductions and-or program closures,” Ruebsamen said.
More than 280 layoff notices have been issued to University employees since April 2009, according to the Office of the Chancellor.
In the 2007-08 school year, faculty increased from 1,517 to 1,560, followed by a drop in the 2008-09 year from 1,560 to 1,502, according to the Office of Budget and Planning.
“We have assisted approximately 35 employees since these layoff notices were given,” Ruebsamen said.
HRM helps former faculty members find jobs as the University goes through budget cuts, Ruebsamen said.
“LSU Career Services is a full-service career planning center, which assists in identifying career paths and the development of job-search skills,” Ruebsamen said.
Career Services’ Job Search Team provides sessions that give guidance on preparing application materials, Ruebsamen said.
“HRM’s website provides specifics about open positions on multiple campuses in the LSU System as well as links to all current job opportunities at all state agencies,” Ruebsamen said.
The Training and Development Department of HRM is offering opportunities for job skill development on campus as well as through the Civil Service Comprehensive Public Training Program.
The CPTP is a state-funded training program for state employees, according to the Division of Administration for Louisiana’s website.
“Through the CPTP, agencies are offered management development and supervisory training, and general application classes on topics such as computer software and writing skills,” according to the Division of Administration’s website.
HRM is currently developing workshops tailored to meet the needs of individual employees, Ruebsamen said.
Administrative Coordinator for HRM Paulette Varnado lost her job as printing consultant for Printing Services.
“Once I heard about the posting of budget cuts, I realized that I was losing my job,” Varnado said.
In response to her job loss, Varnado went to HRM to meet about benefits and retirement plans.
“I went through the website, which was easy to navigate,”     Varnado said. “I found an adequate amount of information to make my job hunt easier.”
Varnado said she heard about an on-campus job with HRM and the office helped her set up interviews and organize her résumé.
“Because it was an on-campus job, HRM made sure participants of the program had an opportunity to be interviewed,” Varnado said.
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Contact Kayla DuBos at [email protected]