University of Bremen - Core Values Compass

60 University of Bremen - Core Values Compass https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass [Translate to English:] Der Werte-Kompass für Mitarbeitende in Technik und Verwaltung en University of Bremen Tue, 05 May 2026 16:45:06 +0200 Tue, 05 May 2026 16:45:06 +0200 University of Bremen content-640528 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Workshop for supervisors https://www.uni-bremen.de/personalentwicklung/verwaltung-und-technik/seminare-fuer-mitarbeiterinnen June 24, and November 24, 2026 From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Register here (in German) Content content-644736 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Workshop for employees https://www.uni-bremen.de/personalentwicklung/verwaltung-und-technik/seminare-fuer-mitarbeiterinnen April 30, 2026 and June 11, 2026 From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration is required as places are limited. Register here (in German) Content content-644738 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Information session for employees https://www.uni-bremen.de/rektoratsangelegenheiten/infoveranstaltung-zum-wertekompass-fuer-beschaeftigte April 3, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Large lecture hall in Keksdose (Lecture Hall Building) Register here (in German) Content content-644737 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Workshop for supervisors https://www.uni-bremen.de/personalentwicklung/verwaltung-und-technik/seminare-fuer-mitarbeiterinnen New workshops are planned for 2026 From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Register here (in German) Content content-644731 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Short history https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c644731 <ul> <li> Since May 2024, a project group at the University of Bremen has been working on the foundations for a Core Values Compass </li> <li> In September, the Core Values Compass survey was conducted among employees in the areas of administration and university operations. From 26 values previously developed by a project group, employees were able to select their 12 key values for working in a team and with their superiors. The survey was conducted using an online survey tool and sent to employees by email.&nbsp; 584 people completed the survey. </li> <li> In October, the project team identified and defined the individual values for the Core Values Compass. </li> <li> In November, a trial workshop with employees and senior staff took place. </li> <li> In December, the Core Values Compass was adapted and finalized. </li> <li> In January 2025, events and resources were prepared. </li> <li> Since February, the new “Let's Talk Leadership” series on the topic of values and leadership has been established. </li> <li> In April, the Core Values Compass will be released and introduced. It compromises eleven shared values. The values are distinguished between values that foster a culture of collaboration among employees and values that foster collaboration between employees and supervisors. </li> <li> In May and June, workshops for supervisors on integrating the Core Values Compass into their teams will take place. </li> <li> In July and September, workshops on value-based work collaboration will be held for employees. </li> </ul> Content content-642895 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Short history https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c642895 Since May 2024, a project group at the University of Bremen has been working on the foundations for a Core Values Compass.&nbsp; In September 2024, the Core Values Compass survey was conducted among employees in the areas of administration and university operations. From 26 values previously developed by a project group, employees were able to select their 12 key values for working in a team and with their superiors. The survey was conducted using an online survey tool and sent to employees by email. 584 people completed the survey. Content content-644886 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Details on each value https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c644886 Content content-611591 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 What exactly are core values? https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c611591 Core values are the beliefs, attitudes, and ideals that are important to us and to which we aspire. You can think of them as a beacon or a compass that points us in the right direction and guides us on our journey through life. Values are not set in stone, but change over the course of our lives. Generally, we are not consciously aware of our personal values. These develop unconsciously without our active involvement. Our personal values are something that we have adopted in the course of our lives and are usually also strongly influenced by our families. We don’t usually actively engage with our values and often only realize them when something happens that goes against them -&nbsp; for example, when we notice that we are getting angry or are irritated by the way someone is behaving or how a task is organized. And the reverse is also true. If we live true to our values, we will usually enjoy what we do, feel like taking on responsibility, and dive right into our work. Content content-611592 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 What role do values play in an organization? https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c611592 Although values are very personal, most of us are very similar in what is important to us, what we strive for, and what we need. The idea of the Core Values Compass is to look at our common attitudes and beliefs that guide our work in administration and operations at the university. It is a negotiation process to which everyone can contribute their personal convictions. Values are not something that is imposed on us, but something that we already live by. Content content-611593 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Why are we engaging with the topic of the Core Values Compass? https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c611593 The last survey on leadership standards took place in the late 1990s. As values change over time and many new employees have joined the University of Bremen since then, the time was right for a new survey. During her time in office as Director of Finance and Administration, Ms. Meyer was repeatedly asked what values guide our work together and whether there was a common framework on which we can base our expectations of ourselves and others. Within the university context, people often refer to what is known as the “Bremen spirit.” But there is currently no real definition for this. We want the Core Values Compass to provide&nbsp;new employees with guidelines for how to treat each other and what dependable behavior is. If we get upset about something at work that violates our personal values, the Core Values Compass gives us a reliable point of reference that we have agreed on. Content content-611594 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 What are the goals of the Core Values Compass? https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c611594 The Core Values Compass is intended to give us orientation, facilitate discussion, and provide security in our actions. Changes to the workplace such as working from home require us to coordinate tasks better and to improve our communication. In order to rely on good cooperation and effective communication at work, we need a good basis that we can fall back on and a good working environment in which agreements and negotiations are fruitful. The Core Values Compass can have a positive impact on staff’s identification with the university and create a climate in which we not only enjoy our work but also motivate ourselves and others to work here. Content content-611595 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 How is the Core Values Compass being developed? https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c611595 In May, the project group met for the first time with representatives from various areas of administration and operations and developed a list of values that they consider relevant for university staff and our collaboration. Both the results of the previous staff survey and the university's Mission Statement were taken into account. The guiding questions were: What do we value about our collaboration with colleagues and managers? What do we remember as positive? And in which situations did collaboration not work well? Clusters were formed from a large collection of values and 26 core values were derived from these. In September, all participating staff who work in administration and operations can select from these 26 values the twelve core values that are most important to them. In October, the project group will discuss and decide upon the selected values. During this process, they will also determine what these values should actually include and what this means for the University of Bremen. The evaluation process will be made transparent. In a workshop in November, representatives from staff and their supervisors will review the Core Values Compass for comprehensibility and applicability. The publication of the Core Values Compass has been scheduled for January 2025. After that, we will begin with the implementation phase, which will be accompanied by various follow-up measures and discussion formats. Content content-602056 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Why is the Core Values Compass initially only aimed at employees in administration and operations? https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c602056 Since the Director of Finance and Administration of the University of Bremen is the head supervisor of all employees in administration and operations, and chairs the project, it was only natural to start such a project in her division. The inspiration to engage with the topic of values came primarily from her area. In addition, developing a Core Values Compass for a smaller area first simplifies its subsequent introduction process. In this way, we create a project that can be implemented in a short space of time and therefore produces results quickly. Academic staff at the university are faced with other issues and there are probably more values to consider here. In administration and operations, it is relatively obvious in which areas the Core Values Compass can be applied. However, this does not mean that academic staff does not need a Core Values Compass. The Core Values Compass should therefore have an effect beyond the administrative and technical area and can be a good basis for identifying additional aspects for the academic sector. Content content-611599 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Will the Core Values Compass also be available in English? https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c611599 Yes, the Core Values Compass will be translated. Content content-611598 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 How do we deal with situations where employees do not adhere to the agreed values? https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c611598 After the Core Values Compass has been adopted, every unit at the university should consider what it means for their team, for their work, and for each person individually. For recurring problems and conflicts within the team, the University of Bremen’s conflict counseling centers are there to assist. There will not be a separate clearing office for matters concerning the Core Values Compass. Content content-602064 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:50:29 +0100 Contact https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/human-resources-development/core-values-compass#c602064 Human Resource Development for Staff in Administration and Operations Central Projects Building / Room: FVG / W1120 Phone: +49-421-218-60456 Email:&nbsp;<a class="mail" href="mailto:alexandra.baumkoetter@vw.uni-bremen.de" title="Öffnet ein Fenster zum Versenden der E-Mail">alexandra.baumkoetter@vw.uni-bremen.de</a> Content