People leader foundations

Use the resources on this page to learn the core responsibilities and functions of your role as a people leader.

Are you onboarding as a new people leader? Start with the steps below.

On this page

• Mandatory people leader learning
• HR and financial systems access
• Understand your HR accountabilities
• Understand your financial accountabilities
• Stay connected and informed 

Mandatory people leader learning

Mandatory learning provides the foundational knowledge you need to carry out your HR responsibilities and support your team effectively. These resources help you understand key processes, policies, and expectations.

• Enrol in and access HR Foundations Handbook for People Leaders (IDIR restricted) to learn about basic HR functions like time and leave, accommodation, short-term illness or injury plan (STIIP), performance management, and so much more
• If you’re new to your role as a people leader, enrol in Supervising in the BC Public Service (IDIR restricted), a 10-week virtual program on core HR responsibilities and building strong relationships
• Explore additional recommended learning through foundational corporate learning (IDIR restricted) or by searching the LearningHUB (IDIR restricted)

HR and financial systems access

Use the tools below to approve time and leave, support staffing processes, and complete financial transactions. Verify your access when you first start in your role.

• Use Manager Self Service (IDIR restricted) for HR tasks like time and leave, approvals, and staffing. You are automatically enrolled when you become a supervisor. If you don’t have access or need ministry-specific applications, speak with your supervisor
• Access the Corporate Financial System (CFS) (IDIR restricted) to submit iExpenses (travel expense reimbursement), iStore (software and hardware requests), and other payment requests. Contact your ministry CFS team if you require access

Understand your HR accountabilities

People leaders are responsible for important HR accountabilities and contributing to an inclusive and respectful workplace. As the first contact for employees with HR questions, you should know relevant policies, collective agreements, and resources.

• Review the Accountability Framework for Human Resource Management to understand your role as a supervisor
• Apply legislation, collective agreements (for included employees), terms and conditions for excluded employees and human resource policies in your decision making
• Support equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous initiatives in the BC Public Service at the direction of your Deputy Minister
• Understand your legislated commitment to truth and reconciliation and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Review your ministry’s actions and linkages in the Declaration Act Action Plan
• To help bring together all this information, enrol in HR Foundations (IDIR restricted) and explore the modules on:
  • You and HR: The Big Picture
  • Supervisory Responsibilities
  • Labour Relations

Understand your financial accountabilities

People leaders have financial accountabilities that ensure responsible management of public resources. These accountabilities are grounded in the Core Policy & Procedures Manual (CPPM), legislation (such as the Financial Administration Act), and internal procedures. For further information on financial management, check your Corporate Services or Financial Management Office site (if available) found through your ministry intranet page.

• Complete Finance Foundations (IDIR restricted) if you are new to financial processes
• Take FM111: BC Government Expense Authority Fundamentals (IDIR restricted) if you hold expense or revenue authority
  • If you’re unsure of your authority, contact your ministry’s Financial Services Team for guidance
• Enrol in HR Foundations (IDIR restricted) and review Financial Systems for an overview of financial processes

Stay connected and informed

The role of a people leader is always evolving. Stay up to date by reviewing messages from the Head of the Public Service and your Deputy Minister and by joining Town Hall meetings and ministry all-staff events. These activities help you stay aligned with organizational priorities and connected to your colleagues.

• Use Compass (IDIR restricted) to access corporate news, updates, and information about programs and events
• Read the People Leader’s Newsletter (sent regularly via email), register for People Leader Connect meetings (IDIR restricted), and check the People Leader Connect SharePoint for updates and helpful information