Opening Plenary Speaker–
September 27th
A Fish Rots from its Head
A “fish rots from its head” is a metaphor for saying a municipal work organization will stink if it doesn’t get the management of its people right, from the top, down to the front line! In this session, Dr. John Yardley will expound on theories (but not too much to bore you!), research (but not too much to befuddle you!) and practices (but not too much as he consults, not practices!) that he has learned while working with several Ontario Municipalities. Managing the human capital of a work organization requires the right understanding of leadership, the right principles and practices to engage and align the power of employees and this presentation will give you a chance to reflect on what is happening in your municipality compared to others around you.
Background
John is an Associate Professor, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences; and Director, Workplace Health Research Laboratory (WHRL), Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario. He is currently directing the development, management, and use of a Strategic Human Resource Management database in WHRL. This project includes the development and application of several applied research measurement tools capturing: employee feedback on workplace systems and management elements; health management practices within work organizations; health cost drivers impacting workplace costs and productivity; and workplace and human productivity measures.
Since 1982, Dr. John Yardley has developed and organized short training sessions and consulted with a wide range of private and public, professional, and volunteer organizations. Most recently (1999-2007) he has directed WHRL operations that have resulted, to date, in over 140 public and private organizations being surveyed with the Employee Feedback System surveys (©EFS and ©HWES) using state-of-art web-delivered or scannable surveys, which result in a series of reports, presentations, and action planning sessions with those work organizations.
John’s publications include 24 academic and professional articles (e.g., Journal of Organizational Behaviour, Journal of Vocational Behaviour, Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, Social Indicators Research), 1 book chapter (Wellness in the Workplace), 250+ ©EFS Reports, 18 technical research reports (e.g., National Employee Services and Recreation Association, Canadian Tire Acceptance Ltd.; Royal Lifesaving Society of Canada, Ontario Branch; Ontario Ministry of Health; Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation).
He has given over 100 academic and professional presentations and workshops in the U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.
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