Page 18 - AnnualReport2022-23

Environmental Transformation targets in advance of all recruitment processes and
have also provided employment equity training to
In response to perceptions that aspects of the main
SAMRC campuses could benefit from aesthetic members of our Transformation Forum to enable
improvements, thereby creating a more stimulating their active participation in recruitment processes. In
workspace, the Ridge Road (Durban) Environmental addition, the EMC scrutinizes all proposals for senior
Transformation Committee of volunteers was leadership appointments at the organization.
established. The Committee, in partnership with
the Transformation Office, has undertaken various Employee Consultations
assessments and employee consultations, and the We have resolved to consult our employees on
EMC has undertaken a physical campus inspection. an ongoing basis on matters of Transformation.
The findings have informed a Plan of Action to To this end, environment consultation workshops
transform the campus and a multi-stakeholder group have been held in all regions, on general concerns,
has been formed to track progress. diversity and inclusion, the experiences of women
in the workplace and prejudice/implicit bias. The
Employment Equity issues raised are being translated into a range
A two-dimensional approach is in place to ensure of interventions to build a productive, agile and
that we build health research leadership capacity, resilient organisation in which all employees are
and meet our demographic targets: (1) “growing shifted toward reaching their full potential.
our own timber” and (2) sound employment
equity practices. With regard to the former, we Building Capacity
have been building a multi-faceted leadership The Transformation Office has initiated or supported
development programme, that includes tertiary a range of capacity building interventions in line
training in management/leadership, self-awareness with the SAMRC’s Transformation Plan. Included
development (including personal coaching, are the provision of a library of electronic and hard
personality analyses, mentorship), the establishment copy personal development books and articles,
of a Community of Practice and a range of “soft skills” the production of an intramural science newsletter,
including lobbying for change, communication and facilitating employee wellness workshops,
emotional intelligence. To ensure employment supporting a shift to teams coaching and structuring
equity our Human Resources department provides of mentorship systems.

Women’s Month: “Work & Life” themed workshop series with women to better understand the
challenges faced by female employees.

16 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2022-23