Work Planning and Career Development
Overview
Western Sydney University recognises the importance of career development and planning for its employees. The University's Work Planning and Career Development process is outlined in the Staff Enterprise Agreements (opens in a new window) and in the Professional Development Policy (opens in a new window).
Your active participation in the Work Planning and Career Development process is related to a number of employment benefits and conditions including probation, promotion, academic development leave, study leave, educational allowance, salary increments and recruitment and retention loadings. All ongoing employees and employees on fixed-term contracts for 12 months or more are required to participate in the University's Work Planning and Career Development process.
The Work Planning and Career Development process aims to provide you with the guidance, direction and support to navigate the various career pathways and development opportunities, and to help with the planning of your work aligned to the University strategy and goals.
The Work Planning and Career Development process uses the MyCareer Online System (opens in a new window) to help keep your career development and work plans and activities on track and up to date. The central tenet of the Work Planning and Career Development process is about having regular conversations with your manager about your work and career plans, and the support and training you need to help you do your job.
Process and Timeline
The diagram above explains the key steps in the work planning and career development cycle.
The work planning and career development cycle commences at the beginning of each year.
Staff create work objectives for the year ahead to begin the cycle. At the end of the year, staff meet with their manager to complete an end of cycle review.
During each cycle have regular conversations with your manager and update/annotate your work objectives and development plan to record progress, achievements and feedback.
For information about each of the steps in the process please see the Show Me How section below.
MyCareer Online System and Support
The MyCareer Online system (opens in a new window) enables an annual (and continuous) planning and review process. It allows you to set and monitor your work objectives and development plan and review these objectives on a regular basis.
Online training and resources are available from the MyPlanning menu in MyCareer Online. The Foundational Leadership and Management program (FLMP) “Coaching for Growth and Success” and “Managing Performance and Achievement” workshops are essential training for managers and supervisors in preparation for the annual planning and review conversations. To enrol in the workshops go to MyCareer Online (via Staff Online) and search for “FLMP”.
Helpful Links
| Who to Contact | For |
|---|---|
| Talent and Leadership Development | Supervisor training in conducting career development and performance reviews |
| HR Partner or Advisor | For further information about the Work Planning and Career Development process |
Show Me How
Creating work objectives and development plans
Once you have entered your work objectives and development plan, submit them to your manager for approval. An important part of the process is to meet with your manager to discuss and agree on your objectives for each planning cycle. You are encouraged to have regular conversations throughout the year about your progress and achievements with your manager.
TLD provides guides and tutuorials to help you complete your work objectives and development plan.
Following are some short videos to assist you with creating your Objectives and Development Plan.
| Creating your work Objectives | |
| Creating your Development Plan |
You should also update progress against your work objectives and development plan throughout the year to record your achievements and in preparation for the end of cycle review.
| Update progress against your work objectives and development plan |
Completing your self review
You will receive an email requesting you to complete your review. This will need to be completed within a specified time period to enable your supervisor to complete a review of your achievements during the review period and to schedule a meeting with you.
| How to complete your self review | |
|---|---|
| Professional Staff Member | |
| Academic Staff Member | |
Further online training and resources are available on the MyPlanning tab within MyCareer Online (opens in a new window).
Mobile options: