A Conversation with michelle lee ON human resources

The Human Resources Division provides Berkeley Lab employees with the full range of employment services and participates in system-wide policy and decision-making. Human Resources (HR)’s mission is to foster the recruitment, retention, and development of exceptional and diverse scientific, engineering, and operational talent through customer-focused and efficient HR support.

Michelle Lee, who was named Chief Human Resources Officer in February 2019, shares her thoughts and vision for the division today.

How does Human Resources support the Lab’s mission?

HR’s primary focus is in supporting the Lab’s most invaluable resource - its people. In our delivery of expert facilitation, advisory and consultative services, we support and enable the development, recruitment, and retention of our exceptional and diverse talent, as well as our overall people strategies.

We develop, guide, and deliver value-added Human Resources policies, and programs that contribute to sustaining a high-performing workforce, and provide an enriching experience for employees.

Berkeley Lab’s HR Function also holds a consistent focus on consulting and supporting our business leaders, employees, and community in influencing decision making with an “always do the right thing” approach.

What are the HR’s top three priorities today?

A top priority is attracting and retaining top talent where the primary focus is in our outreach efforts based on assessing the current and future needs that will allow us to build a robust and diverse talent pipeline.

Secondly, we are focused on developing a comprehensive set of human capital analytics. Metrics, analytics, and insights will allow us to establish and report impact to inform strategic decision-making and workforce planning for the Lab’s future.

And third, we are also focusing on supervisor and leadership development to include a Stewardship Summit with emphasis that is focused on the Lab’s stewardship pillars of research, people, and resources, and SAFE training that provides key skills and important principles for a healthy safety culture.

Outside of these key priorities, HR continues to develop and implement policies both in the short- and long-term to meet urgent and evolving needs posed by COVID-19 and Lab workforce needs beyond the pandemic.

Who do you partner with at the Lab to be successful?

We partner and collaborate with all levels of employees and leaders alike because they are critical to HR’s success. We work hard to ensure our workforce has every ability to be supported and heard, that we are making and influencing sound decisions; and that we listen to our employees and managers to learn how they feel and view their jobs, leadership, and our culture. We partner with mutual respect and integrity, with a consistent desire and focus on managing our culture and workplace, and in making changes that impact the greater organization positively.

Partnership with the Diversity & Inclusion Office (IDEA) is critical to HR in so many facets, as many of the goals and deliverables are co-aligned to include fostering recruitment, retention, and development of exceptional and diverse scientific, engineering, and operational talent. In addition, the Senior Leadership Council (SLC) provides guidance and support toward achieving these goals, and the Employee Resources Groups (ERG) recognize and support the Lab by bringing an employee voice and perspective as they work on integrating inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability into business practices through their set mission and activities.