[Msoadm] Important Update: R’Employee Service Center Launch & Next Steps for HR Partners

[Puja Pannu]

*[image: image.png]*



*January 7, 2026*

*To*:

Campus HR Partners

*From*:

Central Human Resources & ITS

*Re*:

Important Update: R’Employee Service Center Launch & Next Steps for HR
Partners





Dear HR Partners, SSC Leaders, and Subject Matter Experts,



As we move into 2026, we are prioritizing quality and transparency through
the *Avanti *initiative <https://hr.ucr.edu/avanti>, a collaborative effort
to transform the UCR employee experience by implementing automated
technology solutions that streamline processes and enhance service
excellence.


The purpose of our recent soft launch was to stress-test the R’Employee
Services portal in a real-world environment. Thanks to your active
engagement, practicing within the system, and honest feedback, this phase
has been a success. You have helped us identify critical technical issues,
pinpoint where we need additional guidance, and highlight future
enhancements that will make this tool truly "campus-ready."



*We have heard you and we’re extending the soft launch.*



Your confidence in this system is our top priority. Following a
comprehensive review of survey and meeting feedback, and to ensure everyone
feels comfortable before we open the portal to the entire campus, we are
extending the soft launch period. Our E.T.H.O.S. (Employee success,
Technology, Human capital, Operational agility, and Service excellence)
dictates that we do not simply launch on time, but that we launch with *Service
Excellence*. This extension allows us to refine the system based directly
on the feedback you provided.



*The Path Forward: Co-Creation and Validation*


 We are not simply moving the date; we are using this window to deepen our
partnership with you. To ensure a successful launch, we are moving into a
phase of *Deep-Dive Validation*, and we need your expertise and continued
engagement to get us across the finish line.



*Over the coming weeks, we will be engaging our HR Partners and SSCs in the
following:*



   - *Extended User Acceptance Testing (UAT):* To maximize our time, we
   will repurpose several upcoming training sessions into hands-on UAT
   sessions. This will allow us to validate complex, real-world scenarios
   together.
   - *End-to-End Process Walkthroughs:* We will conduct "Process Clinics"
   to validate the entire journey—from the moment an employee submits a
   request in the portal to the final processing within the SSC. We must
   ensure every hand-off is seamless.
   - *Refining the Experience:* We will work together to ensure that the
   portal's communications and workflows reflect our commitment to a
   person-centered HR experience.



*What This Means for Your Teams*

   1. *January 8th Town Hall:* This meeting will proceed as scheduled at
   9:00 AM <https://ucr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0vWMSlb3RTqcWmDAQZ0P1Q>,
   but the focus will shift. We will provide a Project Progress Update to
   discuss the feedback we received and how we are incorporating it into our
   revised plan.
   2. *New Launch Date:* We are currently evaluating a new go-live date
   that ensures system stability and avoids peak academic deadlines. We look
   forward to sharing this updated schedule with you.
   3. *Extended Soft Launch:* Please continue processing your cases in the
   live system (hr.ucr.edu/agent). If you do not yet feel comfortable using
   the live environment, you may use the test environment (
   ucrsupporttest.service-now.com/now/hr/agent/home) to gain further
   experience and familiarity with the workflows.
   4. *Process Clinics and UAT:* Please plan to attend existing meetings
   and training sessions, as these will be repurposed to perform the process
   clinics and other testing. Once the technical changes are implemented, we
   will need your expertise to validate the end-to-end process. We will share
   more information regarding the schedule for these sessions shortly.

We want to thank you for your honesty and dedication to the Avanti vision.
By taking the time to get this right, we are ensuring that the future of HR
at UCR is built on a foundation of trust and service excellence.


If you have questions or feedback about the changes, please send an email
to hrpolicy at ucr.edu.



*Let’s continue moving forward—together.*



Sincerely,



*S. Alex. Nájera*

*Chief HR Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor*



*Matthew Gunkel*

*Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor*
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