The Way We Work
By Henry A. Alvarez III
SAHA President and CEO
I believe a company’s reputation is built on the actions of its employees. If we all do our job the right way, the world sees us for what we truly are: A highly skilled team of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of San Antonio citizens.
We can ensure the world will see us in this light if we remember one simple core value: Demonstrate compassion and respect in every interaction.
We demonstrate compassion by listening to our residents when they have a concern, complaint, question or comment. We show respect when we treat them as we would want to be treated, as equals.
At SAHA, we are more than just a housing provider. For many of our customers, we are a link to a better quality of life and the self-respect that comes with it.
Our responsibility begins with the first contact we have with our customers. By striving to understand their concerns and respecting their experiences and points of view, we are better able to serve them.
The reputation of this organization comes from the people who work here. If we do our best and strive to live by this core value, others will admire us for all we do and the way we work.
You Are Here
New Performance Evaluation Shows Job Progress
SAHA is implementing a new performance evaluation form designed to show employees how well they are doing their jobs and how they can advance in their careers.
The evaluation form, which went into effect in July, helps supervisors give a comprehensive review of an employee’s work, as well as guidance for continued improvement, said Assistant Human Resources Director Gerald Avila.
“The performance evaluation is an excellent tool for communicating job goals, expectations and behaviors,” he said. “It is this combined effort between supervisor and employee that promotes communication and opportunities for coaching. The new performance evaluation form has been designed to be easy to complete and administer, and to provide a basis for discussion.”
Effective July 1, SAHA employees can expect to have a performance evaluation completed and reviewed on their anniversary date.
Training on the new performance evaluation form, for both employees and supervisors, starts July 25. For more information about the performance evaluation process, please contact Human Resources.
Reorienting Orientation
Who said new employee orientation has to be boring?
Orientation for new employees is getting a facelift.
Traditionally, orientation in most companies can be boring and overwhelming. Since first impressions are lasting impressions, SAHA’s Human Resources intends to use technology and fun to create a great start for new employees.
“We want to present all the required information to the employee in an informative and interesting manner, and to familiarize the employee with their new environment,” said Sandra Ramsey, a human resources specialist. “With the use of the boardroom and the audiovisual equipment, new employees will receive, not only an informative presentation, but color and fun will be the order of the day.“
When a new employee reports for the first day of work, an HR specialist will meet them with a friendly face and a New Hire Benefits packet. The package gives the employee a chance to review all SAHA’s benefits before attending orientation so they can be ready to make benefits selections.
A colorful PowerPoint presentation, a video of the “Faces of SAHA,” and a tour of the central office are some of the highlights of the orientation. Gone are endless droning monologues and dry reading of programs, policy and history.
HR also plans to add tours of some SAHA properties and updated video presentations.
“Yes, there is paper work to complete. Yes, there is a history lesson about SAHA, but who says, it has to be boring?” Sandra said. “Once employees have completed Orientation, they have a sense of what SAHA is all about. They feel comfortable about the company, their benefit selections and all that SAHA has to offer.”
Moving Up
Secrets Of SAHA Job Search Success
If you are thinking about changing jobs within SAHA, you are in luck. With internal promotions, everyone wins. You get a promotion, and the company keeps a loyal employee with a good background and experience in SAHA’s programs and culture.
All employees who complete their six-month provisional period are eligible to apply, and jobs are listed on the Desktop. However, before you start filling out your application, HR offers these tips for a successful career change:
9 Don’t plan the trip if you ain’t got the gas – Lots of people want to work for SAHA, but not all of them are qualified. That’s why job descriptions list minimum qualifications. If, for example, the description says two years of college required, HR will not accept “educated in the School of Hard Knocks” as a qualifier. Please check your ability to meet minimum requirements before you apply.
9 On the other hand – Don’t assume you’re not qualified, either. Take a good look at your experience and background, and see where it meets up with the job description. Your experience as a SAHA employee could have given you the right mix of skills and experience to win the job.
9 HR can’t read minds – OK, so you meet the minimum requirements. But how does HR know you meet the requirements? You have to show, either on the application or your resume, how you are qualified for the job.
9 Can you type? – If a typing test is required, you have to attach the test results with the application. Putting “90 wpm” in the block on the application or on your resume doesn’t prove you can type; it proves you think you can type.
9 The Essay Portion – Don’t forget the supplemental information, especially questions at the end of the application.
9 Closed means “closed” – If you don’t submit before the closing date, your application won’t be considered. HR experts say many applicants ignore the closing date. After filling out an application, writing a resume and completing supplemental questions, it would be a shame if your application weren’t considered because you missed the closing date.
Q&A
Who gets your money?
Q. I thought my benefits are automatically passed to my spouse in the event of my death, but a co-worker told me I was wrong. What’s the story?
A. By law, death benefits are passed to your nearest relative. In this case, that could be your spouse. However, the only way to make sure the benefit is paid to the person you choose is to complete a beneficiary designation form and keep it on file with HR.
Q. Do you have to wait for open benefits season to update your information?
A. No. In fact, you can update at any time simply by visiting HR and asking for the right forms. At a minimum, you should review your benefits forms annually.
Let’s Do Lunch!
Starting August 1, you won’t have to leave the parking lot for a delicious lunch. You will be able to simply go out to the parking lot to purchase lunch.
Boston Subworks Diner has agreed to prepare a select lunch menu for SAHA employees. The “cater-mobile” will arrive at 11:30 AM in the north parking lot.
Boston Subworks has an extensive menu. You can phone in an order by 10:00 AM and it will be delivered for lunch.
We’ve included a menu below. Let us know what you think. Contact Human Resources with feedback about your personal dining experience with Boston Subworks Diner.
Boston Subworks Diner
Ask Judge Hamilton for his life story and you’ll get a tall tale involving a 1964 Chevy burning oil on the dirt roads near Fredericksburg, Texas. The story – details purposely omitted from publication – may or may not be true. But it is funny.