WHAT'S CHANGING ABOUT THE PROGRAM THIS YEAR? The Enterprise Mentoring Program is now supported by an exciting new platform, powered by Chronus. While the program is still meant to be highly flexible and customized by individual mentor / mentee pairs, participants will now have access to a more structured, supportive, and guided experience! While the actual benefits of mentoring happen outside of a system, mentors and mentees can use the resources provided within the tool to guide their mentoring journey and feel more supported and organized as they progress! Participants will also benefit from timely emails and reminders to ensure their mentorships stay on track.
HOW DO I APPLY? Once per year, the application period will be opened and announced through various enterprise communication channels with a link to apply. Applicants should follow the link then click "join now" to get started.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE? All full-time colleagues, role permitting, who can participate during normal working hours and have their manager’s approval. Colleagues must not disrupt work and business priorities. Contractors are not eligible to participate. Also, the system requires a company issued email address. Personal email accounts cannot be used.
AM I ELIGIBLE TO BE A MENTOR OR MENTEE? Colleagues can enroll for one or both roles if they meet the following eligibility:
MENTOR ELIGIBILITY:
1. Must be demonstrating successful performance in their current role.
2. Must have manager approval to participate and a company-issued email account.
3. Must be committed to supporting the development of their mentee if assigned.
4. Can meet, on average, once per month for 6-12 months.
MENTEE ELIGIBILITY:
1. Have manager approval to participate and a company-issued email account.
2. Agree to be responsible for initiating conversations, setting agendas, and maintaining development goals.
3. Understand matches are based on the available mentor pool. Not every applicant will receive a mentor.
4. If assigned a mentor, that mentor is no longer available to another colleague. Mentees must be prepared to begin working with a mentor if matched.
5. Can meet, on average, once per month for 6-12 months.
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM IF I’M A CONTRACTOR? Contractors are not eligible to participate in the program.
CAN REMOTE COLLEAGUES PARTICIPATE? Yes! Remote colleagues are highly encouraged to participate. Mentoring can be conducted 100% remotely. Mentoring is a great way for remote colleagues to feel more connected and engaged while expanding their networks!
IF I’M A NON-EXEMPT (HOURLY) COLLEAGUE, WILL I RECEIVE OVERTIME TO MEET WITH MY MENTOR OR COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS? No. Overtime cannot be used to participate in this program. Any activities related to this program are voluntary and time-related questions should be discussed with your manager.
DO I NEED MANAGER APPROVAL TO PARTICIPATE? Yes. Applicants must confirm they’ve received approval from their manager when enrolling.
ISN’T MY MANAGER A MENTOR? Your manager is a coach and mentor. However, managers are primarily responsible for managing the day-to-day activities for your department, evaluating your performance, and ensuring the team achieves its business goals. The mentor assigned through this program is not involved in any of those activities. They are simply a personal career advisor and professional development resource.
DO MENTEES NEED TO SHARE DETAILS FROM THEIR MENTORING CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR MANAGER? No. While managers should be aware you’re participating, mentor/mentee conversations are meant to be confidential. Your mentor should not be contacting your manager and vice versa. If the mentee would like to share specifics with their manager, they’re welcome to! Managers are a key development resource and the more you share about your career goals, development needs and aspirations, the more your manager can support you as well!
WILL ALL APPLICANTS RECEIVE A MENTOR OR MENTEE? Every attempt is made to match as many applicants as possible; however, there are situations in which an appropriate match is not available. In this case, applicants are notified and encouraged to apply during the next application period.
WHAT SHOULD MENTEES EXPECT FROM A MENTOR? Mentors will meet regularly with their mentees, cadence and frequency determined between the two parties, to discuss a variety of topics tailored to the mentee’s career development goals. Mentors will serve as business / career advisors and coaches for the mentee.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A MENTOR? The mentor's role is to help the mentee refine development goals, encourage professional growth, goal setting, and career planning. The mentor may also guide, suggest, teach, challenge, and coach using their experience, expertise, and knowledge to positively influence the mentee's career development.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A MENTEE? Mentees are responsible for driving the relationship, defining development goals, and completing development activities. They are responsible for initiating all meetings and preparing agendas. The mentee must have good listening and communication skills, be willing to receive direction from the mentor, and take advantage of the opportunities presented.
HOW DO MENTORS BENEFIT FROM A MENTORING CONNECTION? Mentors can improve their coaching and leadership skills while learning from their mentee as well! Mentors express a sense of accomplishment when their mentees grow professionally. They develop their own coaching and management styles and gain valuable insights from their mentees’ expertise and perspectives.
WHAT IF I’M ALREADY WORKING WITH A MENTOR OR MENTEE? If you’re already paired as a mentor or mentee, you should continue your mentor-mentee partnership as planned. However, you may also participate in the Enterprise Mentoring Program if you choose.
CAN I REQUEST A SPECIFIC MENTOR/MENTEE? No. You’re welcome to identify and work with a mentor/mentee outside of the program; however, this program is designed to match colleagues who are unable to do so. Our match algorithm will recommend the best possible match, based on alignment with development objectives, career or business interests, and the available mentor/mentee pool.
I’VE PATICIPATED BEFORE, MAY I APPLY AGAIN? Yes! You will need to submit another application during the next open enrollment period. Colleagues are not automatically enrolled in the program.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MENTORS/MENTEES MEET? Every relationship will be different as development goals and work priorities vary. Meeting cadence should be decided at the beginning of the relationship. On average, most colleagues meet once per month.
I’M NERVOUS ABOUT CONTACTING MY MENTOR FOR THE FIRST TIME. While many mentees have felt this way at first, mentors voluntarily sign up for this program and are looking forward to working with you! Plan on your first meeting being an informal “get-to-know-you” session. Mentors receive the same information as mentees and are eagerly waiting to be contacted.
IS THERE ANY FORMAL DOCUMENTATION TO COMPLETE? Mentees, we highly recommend you draft and maintain a development plan to guide your mentoring relationship. More information will be provided once matched. Mentors and mentees should also check off tasks on their Connection Plan as they progress (see next question).
WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO GUIDE MY MENTORING RELATIONSHIP? Connection Plans within the mentoring platform are provided to both mentors and mentees with recommended, self-paced, tasks and learning that you can check off as you progress in your relationship. If assigned a mentor or mentee, you will be given instructions on how to use the Connection Plan. You will also receive timely emails and can find additional resources within the mentoring platform once matched.
HOW LONG SOULD THE RELATIONSHIP LAST? IS THERE A PROGRAM END DATE? We recommend 6 months to 1 year for most mentoring relationships; however, all engagements will be different based on the development goals of the mentee, progress made on Connection Plan tasks, and the availability of both parties. If the mentor/mentee feels they would like to end the relationship earlier, simply communicate with your mentor/mentee. If you choose to continue working together after the year ends, that’s fine as well!
HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN TO END THE RELATIONSHIP? Examples of scenarios when it may be time to end the relationship:
I WAS MATCHED WITH A MENTOR OR MENTEE BUT CAN NO LONGER PARTICIPATE. Participants who become concerned about their workload or feel their expectations are not being met, may end the partnership at any time by communicating with their mentor/mentee first, then, formally closing out the relationship in the mentoring platform. However, mentees please be thoughtful with the decision as a mentor was assigned to you and therefore not available to other colleagues. And mentors, be mindful as we are unable to reassign your mentee. Ending a mentoring partnership does not prevent you from applying to the program in the future nor does it mean mentoring isn’t a valuable means of development. It simply means that was not the right time or person you should have been working with. How to close your mentoring relationship in the mentoring platform: From the Connection Area, scroll down to the bottom and look on the right side for the Mentoring Connection Summary. You will see a date next to "Expires on", followed by a clickable link. If the link says "(change)", then you can extend or end your connection early. If the link says "(request for change)", then you will need an administrator's permission to change the expiration date for your connection.
I’M CONCERNED MY MENTOR OR MENTEE ISNT A GOOD MATCH FOR ME. CAN I BE ASSIGNED ANOTHER? While we make every effort to make the best possible match, it's possible to feel the relationship isn’t the right fit. We cannot re-assign a new match as all applicants are assigned to other colleagues. However, we encourage you to give the relationship time to form. If you still feel you’re not the best match for your mentor/mentee, it’s ok to end the relationship by communicating with the other person and formally closing out the relationship in the platform (instructions in previous question). You may apply again during the next open enrollment period or seek to identify a mentor or mentee organically.
MY MENTOR OR MENTEE NEVER CONTACTED ME OR RESPONDED WHEN I REACHED OUT. Please contact ColleagueDevelopment@CVSHealth.com. We cannot guarantee a new match, however, we can try to contact your mentor or mentee to confirm participation.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Email ColleagueDevelopment@CVSHealth.com
HOW DO I APPLY? Once per year, the application period will be opened and announced through various enterprise communication channels with a link to apply. Applicants should follow the link then click "join now" to get started.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE? All full-time colleagues, role permitting, who can participate during normal working hours and have their manager’s approval. Colleagues must not disrupt work and business priorities. Contractors are not eligible to participate. Also, the system requires a company issued email address. Personal email accounts cannot be used.
AM I ELIGIBLE TO BE A MENTOR OR MENTEE? Colleagues can enroll for one or both roles if they meet the following eligibility:
MENTOR ELIGIBILITY:
1. Must be demonstrating successful performance in their current role.
2. Must have manager approval to participate and a company-issued email account.
3. Must be committed to supporting the development of their mentee if assigned.
4. Can meet, on average, once per month for 6-12 months.
MENTEE ELIGIBILITY:
1. Have manager approval to participate and a company-issued email account.
2. Agree to be responsible for initiating conversations, setting agendas, and maintaining development goals.
3. Understand matches are based on the available mentor pool. Not every applicant will receive a mentor.
4. If assigned a mentor, that mentor is no longer available to another colleague. Mentees must be prepared to begin working with a mentor if matched.
5. Can meet, on average, once per month for 6-12 months.
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM IF I’M A CONTRACTOR? Contractors are not eligible to participate in the program.
CAN REMOTE COLLEAGUES PARTICIPATE? Yes! Remote colleagues are highly encouraged to participate. Mentoring can be conducted 100% remotely. Mentoring is a great way for remote colleagues to feel more connected and engaged while expanding their networks!
IF I’M A NON-EXEMPT (HOURLY) COLLEAGUE, WILL I RECEIVE OVERTIME TO MEET WITH MY MENTOR OR COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS? No. Overtime cannot be used to participate in this program. Any activities related to this program are voluntary and time-related questions should be discussed with your manager.
DO I NEED MANAGER APPROVAL TO PARTICIPATE? Yes. Applicants must confirm they’ve received approval from their manager when enrolling.
ISN’T MY MANAGER A MENTOR? Your manager is a coach and mentor. However, managers are primarily responsible for managing the day-to-day activities for your department, evaluating your performance, and ensuring the team achieves its business goals. The mentor assigned through this program is not involved in any of those activities. They are simply a personal career advisor and professional development resource.
DO MENTEES NEED TO SHARE DETAILS FROM THEIR MENTORING CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR MANAGER? No. While managers should be aware you’re participating, mentor/mentee conversations are meant to be confidential. Your mentor should not be contacting your manager and vice versa. If the mentee would like to share specifics with their manager, they’re welcome to! Managers are a key development resource and the more you share about your career goals, development needs and aspirations, the more your manager can support you as well!
WILL ALL APPLICANTS RECEIVE A MENTOR OR MENTEE? Every attempt is made to match as many applicants as possible; however, there are situations in which an appropriate match is not available. In this case, applicants are notified and encouraged to apply during the next application period.
WHAT SHOULD MENTEES EXPECT FROM A MENTOR? Mentors will meet regularly with their mentees, cadence and frequency determined between the two parties, to discuss a variety of topics tailored to the mentee’s career development goals. Mentors will serve as business / career advisors and coaches for the mentee.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A MENTOR? The mentor's role is to help the mentee refine development goals, encourage professional growth, goal setting, and career planning. The mentor may also guide, suggest, teach, challenge, and coach using their experience, expertise, and knowledge to positively influence the mentee's career development.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A MENTEE? Mentees are responsible for driving the relationship, defining development goals, and completing development activities. They are responsible for initiating all meetings and preparing agendas. The mentee must have good listening and communication skills, be willing to receive direction from the mentor, and take advantage of the opportunities presented.
HOW DO MENTORS BENEFIT FROM A MENTORING CONNECTION? Mentors can improve their coaching and leadership skills while learning from their mentee as well! Mentors express a sense of accomplishment when their mentees grow professionally. They develop their own coaching and management styles and gain valuable insights from their mentees’ expertise and perspectives.
WHAT IF I’M ALREADY WORKING WITH A MENTOR OR MENTEE? If you’re already paired as a mentor or mentee, you should continue your mentor-mentee partnership as planned. However, you may also participate in the Enterprise Mentoring Program if you choose.
CAN I REQUEST A SPECIFIC MENTOR/MENTEE? No. You’re welcome to identify and work with a mentor/mentee outside of the program; however, this program is designed to match colleagues who are unable to do so. Our match algorithm will recommend the best possible match, based on alignment with development objectives, career or business interests, and the available mentor/mentee pool.
I’VE PATICIPATED BEFORE, MAY I APPLY AGAIN? Yes! You will need to submit another application during the next open enrollment period. Colleagues are not automatically enrolled in the program.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MENTORS/MENTEES MEET? Every relationship will be different as development goals and work priorities vary. Meeting cadence should be decided at the beginning of the relationship. On average, most colleagues meet once per month.
I’M NERVOUS ABOUT CONTACTING MY MENTOR FOR THE FIRST TIME. While many mentees have felt this way at first, mentors voluntarily sign up for this program and are looking forward to working with you! Plan on your first meeting being an informal “get-to-know-you” session. Mentors receive the same information as mentees and are eagerly waiting to be contacted.
IS THERE ANY FORMAL DOCUMENTATION TO COMPLETE? Mentees, we highly recommend you draft and maintain a development plan to guide your mentoring relationship. More information will be provided once matched. Mentors and mentees should also check off tasks on their Connection Plan as they progress (see next question).
WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO GUIDE MY MENTORING RELATIONSHIP? Connection Plans within the mentoring platform are provided to both mentors and mentees with recommended, self-paced, tasks and learning that you can check off as you progress in your relationship. If assigned a mentor or mentee, you will be given instructions on how to use the Connection Plan. You will also receive timely emails and can find additional resources within the mentoring platform once matched.
HOW LONG SOULD THE RELATIONSHIP LAST? IS THERE A PROGRAM END DATE? We recommend 6 months to 1 year for most mentoring relationships; however, all engagements will be different based on the development goals of the mentee, progress made on Connection Plan tasks, and the availability of both parties. If the mentor/mentee feels they would like to end the relationship earlier, simply communicate with your mentor/mentee. If you choose to continue working together after the year ends, that’s fine as well!
HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN TO END THE RELATIONSHIP? Examples of scenarios when it may be time to end the relationship:
- The mentee's development objectives are reached
- Sudden changes in professional priorities or personal commitments
- Personality / style differences that make it difficult to communicate and / or relate to the other person's career interests
- The expected progress is not being met
I WAS MATCHED WITH A MENTOR OR MENTEE BUT CAN NO LONGER PARTICIPATE. Participants who become concerned about their workload or feel their expectations are not being met, may end the partnership at any time by communicating with their mentor/mentee first, then, formally closing out the relationship in the mentoring platform. However, mentees please be thoughtful with the decision as a mentor was assigned to you and therefore not available to other colleagues. And mentors, be mindful as we are unable to reassign your mentee. Ending a mentoring partnership does not prevent you from applying to the program in the future nor does it mean mentoring isn’t a valuable means of development. It simply means that was not the right time or person you should have been working with. How to close your mentoring relationship in the mentoring platform: From the Connection Area, scroll down to the bottom and look on the right side for the Mentoring Connection Summary. You will see a date next to "Expires on", followed by a clickable link. If the link says "(change)", then you can extend or end your connection early. If the link says "(request for change)", then you will need an administrator's permission to change the expiration date for your connection.
I’M CONCERNED MY MENTOR OR MENTEE ISNT A GOOD MATCH FOR ME. CAN I BE ASSIGNED ANOTHER? While we make every effort to make the best possible match, it's possible to feel the relationship isn’t the right fit. We cannot re-assign a new match as all applicants are assigned to other colleagues. However, we encourage you to give the relationship time to form. If you still feel you’re not the best match for your mentor/mentee, it’s ok to end the relationship by communicating with the other person and formally closing out the relationship in the platform (instructions in previous question). You may apply again during the next open enrollment period or seek to identify a mentor or mentee organically.
MY MENTOR OR MENTEE NEVER CONTACTED ME OR RESPONDED WHEN I REACHED OUT. Please contact ColleagueDevelopment@CVSHealth.com. We cannot guarantee a new match, however, we can try to contact your mentor or mentee to confirm participation.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Email ColleagueDevelopment@CVSHealth.com