PSWLC Committee Charter

Mission Statement: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) places great importance on the quality of life at the workplace.  Our goal is that LBNL is not only the best place for science, but also a great place to work.  The Associate Laboratory Director for Physical Sciences (PS) has appointed the Physical Sciences Workplace Life Committee to explore issues affecting workplace quality of life for the four Physical Sciences Divisions.

Committee Charge:  The Physical Science Workplace Life Committee is charged to effectively explore and address workplace quality of life concerns and issues for the four Physical Sciences Divisions; coordinate aspects related to inclusion, diversity, equity and accountability (IDEA) with Division and Area IDEA committees; and work with Area Management and Operations to suggest improvements and communicate the solutions regarding these concerns/issues.

In order to accomplish these objectives, the successful Committee should:

• Clearly define the duties and responsibilities of the committee members.

• Identify and prioritize goals and establish an action plan to achieve each goal.

• Meet at least monthly.  Record and disseminate minutes of each meeting documenting attendance, issues discussed and assigned tasks.

• Explore ideas to improve and maintain workplace quality of life and address employee concerns.

• Involve other employees, departments, employee resource groups (ERGs) and committees in various projects and functions towards the goal of maintaining and improving workplace quality of life.  

• Report issues identified and progress made to the PS Associate Lab Director (ALD) and PS Division Directors. 

• Communicate the purpose, activities and accomplishments of the committee to all Physical Sciences employees. 

• Solicit input from PS employees about suggestions or concerns.

Committee:

The committee is composed of representatives from the Physical Sciences Area: Accelerator Technology & Applied Physics, Engineering, Nuclear Science, and Physics Divisions, with support from Human Resources. Usually two staff members per Division serve on the committee plus at least one of the HR senior partners.  Members are selected by their interest in improving workplace quality of life that will benefit fellow employees.   The rewards for being an active committee member include:

• An increased knowledge of the institution’s entire operation

• A better understanding of the policies, functions and problems facing management.

• A greater awareness of the overall workplace quality of life concerns.

• The ability to have a direct influence on making a change within the organization. 

Committee Members: 

The duties of the individual member should be to:

• Regularly attend all meetings and actively participate in discussion and committee activities.

• Provide input to address all concerns and issues submitted to the committee.

• Contribute ideas and suggestions for improvement of the workplace.

• Encourage input from Lab employees regarding workplace life.

• Share information/suggestions with other departments.

• Engage in subcommittee assignments. 

Chairperson

The primary duties of this position are to:

• Develop meeting agendas.

• Coordinate and conduct orderly meetings.

• Establish necessary deadlines and subcommittee assignments.

• Provide appropriate and timely follow-up on concerns, comments or issues submitted to the Committee and suggest, implement and communicate recommendations developed by the committee.

• Serve as a communication liaison between management and the committee.

• Maintain the confidence of other committee members, employees and management by exhibiting effective leadership.

• Remain current with the Lab’s general principles, policies and concepts of environment, health and safety management at LBNL.

• Be visibly enthusiastic about the organization’s recognition and commitment towards the quality of life at the workplace.

• Present an annual year-end report to the PS ALD and Division Directors.

• The responsibility of chairing the committee should be shared among the represented divisions. An equitable pattern of succession should be followed as much as possible.