Army South committed to supervisor development

Photo By Sgt. Mahlet Tesfaye | Adam Stoffa, a lawyer with U.S. Army South, explains the legal aspect of the supervisor-civilian employee relationship during a supervisor development course Oct. 27-28 held at the Army South headquarters. The course is designed to provide military and civilian managers with the training and information to execute their duties and responsibilities as supervisors of civilian employees.  

FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES

10.28.2015

Story by Sgt. Mahlet Tesfaye 

U.S. Army South

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - The Department of the Army has mandated all supervisors take an online course, which covers the entire spectrum of supervisor development and gives managers a general outline.

In addition to the online course, Army South conducted its first supervisor development course Oct. 27-28 at the Army South headquarters to provide military and civilian managers with the training and information needed in order to execute their duties and responsibilities as supervisors of civilian employees.

“This course is Army South centric and provides the face-to-face knowledge that has been lost from online courses,” said Nicole Smith, human recourses specialist, Army South. “It is tailored to our command and allows supervisors the opportunity to ask questions and acquire knowledge they would not get from the online course.”

There are misunderstanding about civilian employees and supervisors’ relationship and the supervisors’ role as a leader. The course provided- the opportunity to ask questions and get clarification on specific supervisory situations.

Maj. Chris Folk, chief of political military affairs division, Army South, is new to a supervisory role to four civilian employees and said the class was very beneficial.

“I learned the availability of resources within our command and knowing where to go to facilitate our role as supervisors,” said Folk.

Throughout the course, participants learned the process in hiring and firing civilians, disciplinary actions, leave, awards and benefits. Participants also learned what it takes to have an effective and functional relationship between employees and supervisors.

According to Bill Maner, chief program guide branch, Army South, the course provided him with the latest information and resources on the supervisory role.

“I learned the function of supervisors is to remove obstacles by having honest and open communication with employees and to promote honesty and trust within the office,” said Maner who has five years of experience supervising civilians within the command.

As a trainer and civilian human resources expert in the command, Smith is confident any supervisor who takes the course will benefit and improve their ability to manage and lead their employees.

“Our hope is that they will at least walk away with a better understanding of how to supervise civilians and know who the key players are when they need assistance,” stressed Smith.

• Date Taken: 10.28.2015
• Date Posted: 10.29.2015 17:00
• Story ID: 180370
• Location: FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX, US