Ten Guiding Principles for the USAID Staff Care Program

1. Keep an "Open Mind". USAID's transformation into a world class 21st Century organization hinges on appropriately targeted and implemented Talent Management interventions of which Staff Care is an important tool.

2. Listen to our workforce, make reasonable decisions, accept Staff Care as a "work in process", and advance the Talent Management Goal.

3. Know that Staff Care is not just a "good thing to do", it is good business. Failure to consider these issues may result in both civil and criminal liabilities.

4. Recognize that the focus on health, wellbeing and the work-life balance of USAID's workforce directly translates into better morale, greater retention, reduced absenteeism and disability claims, and a more engaged and responsive workforce.

5. Accept that Staff Care is a fair and neutral approach to address the broad array of issues impacting the Agency's organizational health and its workforce.

6. Be aware that Staff Care is not an end in itself; it enhances USAID's service delivery.

7. Recognize that high stress environments are not limited to service in critical priority countries and take action to ensure resilience in the Agency's entire workforce.

8. Understand that Staff Care plays a unique role in ensuring that the Agency meets its responsibilities to its workforce.

9. Be aware that the success of Staff Care impacts multiple levels. A critical factor to success is the development of properly benchmarked strategic interventions which promote accountability, awareness, commitment, and learning.

10. Be confident that Staff Care interventions are designed such that they are easily accessible to the Agency's workforce, and its information management systems promote timely and sound decision making.