All DOI Employees Nationwide - CORE Program Implementation

Supervisors:  Please ensure that employees without e-mail receive a paper 
copy of this message.

Memorandum

To:       All employees

From:     Wendell K. Sutton Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources.

Subject:  CORE Program Implementation


I am pleased to have this opportunity to update you on one of our key 
quality of worklife programs that was implemented this past summer.  The 
new conflict resolution program, known as CORE, is an early intervention 
program using a full range of alternative dispute resolution techniques 
designed to resolve workplace conflicts early by addressing employee and 
management concerns and encouraging better communication. The CORE process 
is voluntary. 

The CORE Program offers new choices.  CORE is a tool for all employees/ 
non-supervisory, supervisory, and managerial.  When there are workplace 
conflicts, whether between employee and supervisor or between co-workers, 
any person involved may request CORE Program services.  Services include: 
informal mediation, fact-finding, information services or referral to 
appropriate sources. When mediation is appropriate, a CORE Specialist 
serves as a third party neutral.  In this role, the CORE Specialist 
assists each person to understand the issue from different perspectives. 
They look for shared interests, common goals.  From there, the parties 
work as a team to resolve the problem. 

The employee may leave the CORE process at any time without penalty. 
Although management involvement is required when necessary, who 
participates is within management's discretion.  Also, the CORE 
Specialist has no authority to impose a solution and has no stake in the 
outcome. CORE is not a top-down management versus employee program there 
is no determination of guilt and no punishment.  The emphasis is on 
communication and finding mutually agreeable resolution.  CORE Specialists 
are trained to help people identify the cause of conflicts and develop 
reasonable and responsible options.  The goal of CORE is to improve the 
workplace environment.

Where a union has been certified as the exclusive representative for a 
group of employees, a Memorandum of Understanding between the union and 
management must be signed to allow affected employees to use the CORE 
Program.  Union representatives are welcome to join in the CORE process 
when unit members request mediation or other services.  Union officials 
may represent the unit member or simply be present to provide advice and 
counsel.

CORE is an exciting new program.  Using CORE does not diminish a 
supervisor's authority to manage employees and does not cause employees to 
lose their rights to seek formal redress.  When the parties are committed 
to finding a resolution, without laying blame, the results are truly a 
win-win situation.

You may access information about the program or contact a CORE Specialist 
within your bureau by visiting the CORE web page at http://www.doi.gov/core 
or by calling the CORE Information line on 202-219-0814.  And, as always, 
the CORE Program Coordinator, Sarah Rogers, will be happy to assist you. 

I've been hearing some very positive feedback about the CORE program. 
Before you let a small issue or concern grow into a major dispute, give 
CORE a try!  This is a fresh start in the Department.  Better 
communication and an improved work environment will help all of us 
accomplish Interior's mission more efficiently!