Employee Relations

Barrett places great emphasis on creating a positive work environment and ensuring employee satisfaction. One of the key strategies used to achieve this is through engagement activities. These activities are designed to boost employee morale, motivation and productivity.

Engagement activities organized by Barrett encompass a wide range of initiatives. This may include events that bring employees together for team-building exercises, social gatherings or celebrations. Such activities provide opportunities for employees to interact, collaborate and build strong relationships with their colleagues, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie within the organization.

Recognition programs also are an integral part of Barrett's engagement efforts. These programs acknowledge and appreciate the contributions and achievements of employees. By recognizing their hard work and dedication, Barrett aims to inspire and motivate employees to continue performing at their best.

Barrett's focus on fostering a positive work environment and promoting employee satisfaction through engagement activities reflects its dedication to creating a supportive and fulfilling workplace for its employees.

Barrett Recognition Programs

Annual Awards

Annual Faculty Awards:

Excellence in Teaching
Excellence in Service

Annual Staff Award:

Recognition for staff that have excelled over the past year in one of these areas:

excellent performance
going above and beyond
productivity-exceptional work and service consistently
promoting Barrett/customer service
innovation or teamwork/collaboration

Annual Collaboration Award:

The Annual Collaboration Award serves as a platform to showcase successful interdisciplinary initiatives that have made a significant impact on the Barrett community. It encourages collaboration across different departments, units, or disciplines, fostering a spirit of teamwork and collective achievement.
The award not only recognizes the collaborative project itself but also acknowledges the dedication, commitment, and effective communication demonstrated by the faculty and staff involved. It emphasizes the value of collaboration in advancing the goals and mission of Barrett.

Barrett Anniversaries

Barrett values and appreciates the dedication and contributions of its employees. To celebrate their commitment Barrett has established an Employee Anniversary Recognition Program. Through the Employee Anniversary Recognition Program, employees are acknowledged and celebrated on the anniversary of their employment. The program, which provides an opportunity to reflect on employees’ service and express gratitude for their continuous commitment to Barrett, typically includes various forms of recognition, such as personalized messages, certificates, gifts, or special events.

Engagement Activities

College-wide Engagement

Barrett Honors College organizes three college-wide engagement activities each academic year to foster a sense of community, celebrate milestones, and promote employee engagement. These events are designed to bring faculty and staff together, provide opportunities for networking, and recognize their contributions. The three engagement activities are:

Fall Welcome Lunch
At the beginning of the academic year, Barrett holds a welcome lunch where all faculty and staff gather to celebrate the start of the academic year. This event serves as an opportunity for employees to come together, enjoy a meal, and hear a message from the dean. It also provides a platform to introduce new employees to the community, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.
Mid-Year Event
In the middle of the academic year, Barrett hosts a mid-year event aimed at bringing employees together for an evening of engagement. The purpose of this event is to provide a platform for employees to connect, share ideas, and strengthen their relationships in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
End of Academic Year Event
As the academic year comes to a close, Barrett organizes an end-of-year event to recognize employees' hard work and achievements throughout the year. This event is a celebration of the collective success of the Barrett community. It may include awards, speeches, and appreciation of employees' contributions. It serves as a festive occasion to reflect on the accomplishments of the year and express gratitude to the dedicated faculty and staff.

These three engagement activities are important components of Barrett's culture that fosters a sense of unity, appreciation, and camaraderie among its faculty and staff. By providing opportunities for employees to connect, celebrate, and be recognized, Barrett Honors College demonstrates its commitment to creating a positive and engaging work environment.

Campus Engagement Activities

Staff Quarterly Meetings
Barrett Honors College recognizes the importance of keeping staff members informed and fostering a sense of community across its different campuses. To achieve these goals, Barrett holds in-person quarterly meetings at each of its four campuses: Tempe, Polytechnic, West, and Downtown. These quarterly meetings serve as an opportunity for staff members from various departments and campuses to come together in person, receive important updates, and engage in community-building activities.

Summer Engagement Activities
Barrett recognizes the importance of building a strong sense of community and fostering engagement among its employees. During the summer months, Barrett organizes engagement activities that span across campuses and departments. These activities aim to bring employees together, promote interaction, and create a sense of unity. Employees have opportunities to meet colleagues from other campuses, learn about the unique aspects of each location, and strengthen the overall Barrett community.

Department Retreats
Collaboration and communication are essential for effective programming and staying updated within departments at Barrett Honors College. To facilitate this, departments organize retreats where staff members come together to collaborate on programming ideas and share updates.
These department retreats serve as dedicated time for staff members to focus on their specific department's goals, initiatives, and programming. The retreats typically include a range of activities, such as:

Brainstorming and idea generation
Planning and strategy discussions
Knowledge sharing and updates