The UW Staff Association is the official voice of staff at the University of Waterloo. Our mission is to cultivate a progressive work environment where employees feel safe, empowered to grow, and able to thrive.
News
President’s Report for June 2025 + a flexible work survey
Meetings with senior leaders, meeting members, and gathering staff input about flexible work arrangements and remote work.
President's Report: May 2025
More information about changes to performance recognition, salary increases, and the Nous Uniforum survey, plus the slides from our Navigating Job Loss workshop.
Three members acclaimed as UWSA directors
The UWSA Board of Directors called an election on March 28 to fill four director vacancies. Only three nominations were submitted by the deadline on April 10, so an election is not required; Mifrah Abid, Lewis Fraser, and Sarah Landy will be acclaimed as directors, effective immediately, for remainder of the vacant terms.
To learn more about the role of the Board of Directors, please read our ‘UWSA 101’ series and our page on Being a UWSA Director.
Events
July 2025 Area Reps Meeting
The UWSA Area Representatives Council is a space to exchange information about current issues facing staff at UW and to keep an open line of communication between the UWSA leadership and staff members across the University. Most meetings are open to Area Reps, with one meeting each term open to all staff. Find your rep here or apply to be one now!
Practice Difficult Conversations with Ovation VR
The Conflict Management Office (CMO), in collaboration with the Staff Excellence Fund, invites all University of Waterloo staff (full-time, part-time, contract, and student staff) to a hands-on workshop exploring how virtual reality can support you in preparing for difficult conversations.
Ovation VR uses AI-driven avatars to simulate challenging scenarios such as performance reviews, job interviews, and conflict resolution. By allowing you to practice these interactions and receive feedback, this immersive tool can help you build confidence and reduce workplace stress.
Blog
What Your Colleagues Want You to Know: Caregivers
As part of our “What Your Colleagues Want You to Know” series, we asked members who are caregivers—whether for children, parents, or someone else—what they want coworkers to know about their day-to-day reality and how we can help. Members described their experiences of emotional and physical exhaustion, being misunderstood by colleagues, and feelings of isolation and overwhelm. They’re looking for a supportive work environment that acknowledges their challenges, offers grace and understanding, and provides practical support such as hybrid work options.
What Your Colleagues Want You to Know: Disabled* & Chronically Ill Staff
We heard from staff with a wide range of chronic illnesses, physical disabilities, neurotypes, and mental health struggles for our second post in this series featuring members’ own experiences and words.
Ubuntu 101: Community, Integration, Collaboration!
Upon joining the University of Waterloo last year, I was pleasantly impressed with how the university’s new values, Think Differently, Act with Purpose and Work Together resonate with my perceptions of Ubuntu. Thinking differently, acting with purpose and working together are essential pillars in the Ubuntu philosophy, and I hope sharing my perspective on Ubuntu can enhance our shared understanding of these values.
Opportunities
A representative on the Pension and Benefits Committee is needed with the qualifications necessary to exercise care, diligence and skill in the administration of the university’s pension and benefits plan.
A member at large is needed for the Staff Relations Committee (SRC), a key forum through which we establish staff working conditions with the University.
Staff Relations Committee (SRC) members participate in the behind-the-scenes work of creating and updating staff-related University policies (Class S policies). They are also involved in ensuring that Policy 18 - Staff Employment is adhered to in any reorganizations that may occur during their term on SRC.
We’re always looking for more members to represent staff on our Area Representatives Council. This group meets virtually September through June to share and hear updates on issues affecting staff. Feedback from Area Reps shapes UWSA priorities.