Deadline for Benefits Changes - November 30
Open enrollment is almost over. Now is the time to review and update your benefits selections for 2010. The following actions must be submitted by midnight on Monday, November 30:

HEALTH PLANS: Make sure you understand the 2010 health plan changes and decide whether to stick with your current plan or switch to a new one.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS: Looking for a great way to save valuable tax dollars on health expenses in 2010? Learn more.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Will you be paying for child or adult daycare expenses in 2010? Consider taking advantage of pre-tax savings for these expenses through the Dependent Care Assistance Program. Learn more.

For questions regarding open enrollment, contact benefits@uw.edu.

Are Your Family Members on Your Health Insurance Plan?
If you received a letter from the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) requesting proof of eligibility for each dependent on your plan, be sure to respond by November 30.  Your dependent(s) may be disenrolled effective January 1, 2010, if you do not comply with the request.

If you submitted documentation but did not receive a confirmation letter, call PEBB at 1-800-200-1004. For more information, read these FAQs.

For questions/concerns regarding the PEBB Dependent Verification Project, call 1-800-200-1004.

Final Weeks to Give to UW’s Workplace Giving Campaign
As of October 30, UW employees and retirees have pledged more than $1.7 million to over 2,800 charities through the UW Combined Fund Drive, the state's workplace giving program. It is easy to join the campaign! Visit www.washington.edu/uwcfd to set up an ongoing payroll deduction to your chosen charities –you may even give to your favorite UW programs! Your contribution is tax-deductible and will make a difference in our community. To learn more about the benefits of giving, visit the UW Combined Fund Drive website.

A Team Approach to Project Management
The majority of projects are accomplished by a group of people organized to perform as a team. In this one-day course, you'll benefit from integrating the elements of relationships and teamwork with organizing and carrying out a project. Access course information and registration.

Seasonal Flu Shots Available at Health Sciences Today!
UW Benefits is coordinating a series of free flu shot clinics. Note, this is not the H1N1 flu vaccine. All faculty and staff with PEBB medical plan coverage (including Group Health Cooperative) are welcome to attend today’s (Nov 10) clinic located in the Health Science Lobby from 9 AM – 3 PM.  No appointment is necessary. Please bring your health insurance card and photo ID. Learn more.

Family Caregiver Network
Inclement weather frequently highlights the dependent and fragile status of elderly family members.  Bring these concerns and others to Family Caregiver Network meetings and gather information and ideas from others in similar care giving situations. The next meeting is Tuesday, November 24. To register or check for later meeting dates and locations, visit the WorkLife webpage.

Socially Responsible Investing
Are you interested in achieving financial security while helping to build a sustainable world and protect our quality of life? If so, socially responsible investing (SRI) may be for you. Register here to attend this free seminar.

Why You Should Attend Violence Prevention Training
Preventing violence on campus is a responsibility we all share as UW community members. Early intervention with appropriate resources or referrals to services that can assist with coping strategies, reducing stress, and/or resolving problematic situations helps reduce the risk of violence occurring. Come learn about warning signs, UW resources for counseling and safety, and policies so you know whom to call and what to do. Register now for this free training session.

Home Ownership 101 Seminars
It's a buyer's market. Are you ready to buy a home? If so, familiarize yourself with the home buying process. What about refinancing and home equity loans—when is it a good idea to take advantage of this option? To learn more, register for free seminars online or contact the Affinity Lending Center at 206-628-0207. Please include your contact phone number (in the event of class cancellation).

Youth Homelessness Awareness Event
Attend. In celebration of National Philanthropy Day, representatives from United Way of King County, University District Youth Center, and YouthCare will be on hand Wednesday, November 18 from 12-1:30 p.m. in HUB 200 to discuss how they assist youth facing homelessness right here in the University District and in our community. Learn how these organizations are working to stop teenagers’ lives from ending in chronic homelessness. Feel free to bring a friend and your lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.
 
Donate. Visit the UWCFD website to make a donation today. The UW Combined Fund Drive campaign continues through December 4. You may also participate in Mission: Undercover, an underwear drive to benefit University District Youth Center and YouthCare Orion Center. Donations of new men’s and women’s underwear of all sizes will be accepted.
 
Volunteer. Volunteer opportunities are available at the University District Youth Center. Volunteers will help clean, organize, and paint the center on Saturday, November 14 or December 5 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Volunteers make all the difference in keeping the space an inspirational and suitable environment. To register, email Kerri Everly, UWCFD Development Services Officer.

Winning at Work
A big part of getting things done at work is bringing people on board. This one-day course can help you gain the skills to more effectively deal with challenging people and discover how to develop rapport with colleagues in order to generate options, solve problems, and achieve your goals. Access course information and registration.

Upcoming Free and Reduced-Fee Classes
If you're a UW employee in active layoff status, you're eligible to take  Managing Stress (Q0430) on November 13 at the reduced fee of $25. For more information and to access the special registration form, see Fee-Exempt and Fee-Reduced Quarterly Courses.

Career Transition Counseling
If you're a UW employee who has been notified of a layoff or reduction in hours, you're eligible for three 45-minute career counseling sessions with the UW’s Career Development Manager. To get started and schedule your first appointment, send an email to uwcardev@u.washington.edu.

Great American Smokeout
Get ready for the “Great American Smokeout,” learn the risk factors for diabetes, find out how you can build resilience in your life, and discover ways to enjoy nutritious bok choy—all in the new issue of UWellness. For past issues, visit the UWellness archive.

Building Resiliency
 Imagine the last upsetting event that you experienced. What was your reaction to it? Were you able to quickly recover from it and get back on track, or do bad experiences throw you into emotional tailspins? Find tips for Building Resiliency in this Tip Sheet, provided by the UW’s faculty and staff assistance program.

APS HelpLink - UW CareLink's Online Resource
Want more about resiliency? Check out the featured articles in UW CareLink’s online resource, APS HelpLink.  Find out how short, brisk walks can benefit your physical and mental health.  You can even sign-up for an online seminar “Creating a More Resilient You” on Tuesday, November 17.  Visit APS HelpLink and use UW for the company code. 

Winter Weather Is on the Way
With winter weather fast approaching, now is the time to make sure you understand the UW’s suspended operations policy and where to look for official UW announcements regarding operational status. Make sure you know the answers to these questions:

Q. Do I know where to find official notification that the UW is suspending operations?
Q. Do I know if I'm supposed to continue working or return/stay home if the University declares a suspension of operations?
Q. Do I understand how my pay and/or leave balances could be affected by a suspension of operations?
 
Ready to learn more? Find full policy details online.

Adult Eldercare Consultations
When caring becomes care giving you suddenly need to find out about resources and services. UW WorkLife provides private consultations with eldercare specialists tailored to your specific situation. To schedule an appointment, email: worklife@uw.edu

Caregiver Directory
Planning ahead for the busy times that the holiday season brings? Will you need help with childcare, eldercare, light housekeeping, errands, or house sitting? Search WorkLife’s Caregiver Directory, a database listing UW-affiliated caregivers available to provide care/services to meet your individual needs.

The Resource Center
Life Matters: Creating a Dynamic Balance of Work, Family, Time & Money is a great read. Check out this and other self care books in the WorkLife Resource Center. 

Hometown Home Loan Program
The Hometown Home Loan Program offers reduced fees on mortgages for University of Washington faculty and staff buying or refinancing anywhere in the Puget Sound region. All benefits-eligible UW faculty and staff members may apply. Learn more.

New Issue of "Balance" Is Now Online
Balance, APS’s quarterly newsletter from the UW’s faculty and staff assistance program, covers a range of relevant issues including: Getting Along at Work, Compulsive Buying Can Be Beat, and Teaching Teens about Debt.  Take a few minutes to see what “speaks” to you.

Nominate an Outstanding UW Staff Member
Recognize UW staff members who exceeded expectations this year by nominating them for the Distinguished Staff Award. Up to five of this year’s nominees will be selected for a cash award of $5,000 presented at the annual University Recognition Ceremony, which also includes presentations of the Distinguished Teaching, Outstanding Public Service, and other University awards.

Visit the Distinguished Staff Award website for more information, including how to nominate an individual or a team. The deadline for nominations is December 15, 2009.

Save Money this Holiday Season
This holiday season, create special memories by attending a performance of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker. Significant discounts are available to many PNB performances throughout the year. Visit the UW Discount page and click on “View Discounts.”  Sign into the SmartSavings website with your UW NetID and password.  Once logged in, click on “Local Offerings” on the right and use the zip and radius search, extending the radius to 30 miles. When you click on “Go,” all local offerings will appear. Scroll through the offerings to Pacific Northwest Ballet. 

Visit the UW's New Medal of Honor Memorial
Memorial Way, the University’s ceremonial entrance to campus from N.E. 45th Street, has been described as an outdoor cathedral.  101 Sycamore trees, planted in the 1920’s in honor of the 58 UW alumni, students, and faculty who died in World War I, form a gorgeous canopy from the campus entrance to the newly installed Medal of Honor Memorial which will be dedicated this Wednesday, November 11 – Veteran’s Day 2009. The trees will transport you as you walk down the sidewalk under the languid branches toward the heart of the campus. Emerging at the open space surrounding the Memorial, you know you have arrived someplace special.