The Resource

In This Issue

Recognition
Energize Your Holiday
Career Development
Wellness
Workplace Giving
Home Loan Program
Events
Work/Life

Published: December 9, 2009

Happy holidays from UW Human Resources! This issue of The Resource is full of seasonal tips related to the many programs offered to UW faculty and staff, as well as final reminders for nominating colleagues for the Distinguished Staff Awards and donating through our workplace giving campaign, the UW Combined Fund Drive.

The UW offers so much more than a paycheck that it has been recognized as a favorite Northwest employer in the fourth annual NWjobs People’s Picks contest. The UW was voted as a favorite in education and training and Harborview placed as a favorite in the healthcare category. You can view the results at NWjobs.com.

Recognition  
 
 

Nominations Sought for Distinguished Staff Awards
Do you know an outstanding UW staff member or team who deserves special accolades? Is there a UW staff person or team you work with who:

  • Provides superior sustained service or a special one-time contribution to the mission of the unit or university;
  • Continually contributes to a respectful, diverse, and collaborative work environment;
  • Exhibits exceptional resourcefulness, innovation, or creativity;
  • Exemplifies excellence and integrity in workplace relationships, interactions, and decision making?

If so, please honor them by submitting a nomination for the Distinguished Staff Award. Up to five awards of $5,000 will be presented to outstanding staff chosen from among the University’s classified, contract classified, and professional staff members.

Anyone currently affiliated with the University of Washington—faculty, staff, or student—may nominate a staff person or team for this award. The nomination deadline is December 15, 2009. Learn more.

Energize Your Holiday  
 
 

Holiday Tips for Staying Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise
'Tis the season for parties, family gatherings, gifts, and food, food, food! To help you through the holidays, we have a collection of tips and resources:

Tips for the Holidays from WorkLife

APS Tip Sheets - Holiday Stress

Weight Watchers Holiday Tips

 

UW CareLink – Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
Are you anticipating having to deal with some ‘difficult people’ over the holiday season: the uncle who drinks too much; the in-laws on political ‘rants’; the ‘pointed’ questions and ‘hurtful’ comments, or the ‘wild’ children? Use UW CareLink counselors as coaches to provide you with new methods and strategies for dealing with these uncomfortable moments. Call toll-free: 1-866-598-3978 (dial 9 first if calling from a campus phone) for all UW CareLink services.

 

Discounts
Are you doing comparison shopping for your holiday gift list? Remember to include checking the UW Discount program to save time and dollars!

   

APS HelpLink
Learn how to protect yourself while shopping from home or at the mall. Sign up for Safe Shopping: Protecting Yourself from Consumer Fraud, the free, online seminar on December 15. Use UW for the Company Code.

Career Development  
 
 

Winter Registration is Open
Registration is open for more than 30 POD classes. Now is your chance to check out new offerings, such as Rapid Process Improvement and Student Database Training. You can also register for classes typically offered just once a year, including Customer Service Excellence, Generations at Work, Leading People Through Change, and Recharge Center Seminar.

Access registration and course information via POD's online course catalog.

Wellness  
 
   

Weight Watchers at Work
Learn to eat right and live healthy by attending a Weight Watchers at Work meeting on campus. You can join anytime! See current schedule.

   

There’s Still Time to Complete Your 2009 Health Risk Assessment!
Receive valuable feedback about your health and associated risk factors such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes by taking a Health Risk Assessment through your health plan this year. It's fast, easy, confidential, and free! If you participated last year, you’re eligible again for this year. Spouses and children 18 or older may also participate.

Also, if you're a Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) member, by taking the Health Counts health assessment, you will receive a $30 gift card that you can use at more than 350 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues plus you may be eligible to earn a $30 bonus! Learn more.

Workplace Giving  
 
 

Campaign Ends December 11 - donate today!
Thank you to those of you who have donated to your favorite charities through the UW Combined Fund Drive - our workplace giving campaign. The UW community has made a tremendous impact on local, national, and international organizations by pledging more than $1.94 million to date.

There’s still time to donate! Visit the UWCFD website to pledge online or by paper form. The Combined Fund Drive allows charities to budget effectively and reduces fundraising costs. Thank you for joining the campaign and changing the world.

Home Loan Program  
 
 

Using Home Equity and Refinancing
When is refinancing a good idea? Are you trying to avoid or consolidate your consumer debt, or trying to move from an ARM to a fixed rate? Learn more about refinancing and the difference between home equity loans and lines of credit at the free Home Equity and Refinancing seminar on December 30 in Bothell. Register here or contact the Affinity Lending Center at 206-628-0207. Please include your contact phone number (in the event of class cancellation).

The Hometown Home Loan Program offers free pre-qualifications and 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.

Events  
 
   

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 the free seminar on December 10.

 

Proactive Violence Prevention
Recently, we have been inundated with tragic stories in the media about violent events in a variety of different workplaces. From the massacre at Fort Hood to the office shooting in Orlando, we are sadly reminded that violence can happen. As we reflect on these tragedies, it is important to think about the proactive steps that we can take to create a safer campus and a safer UW community. Register now to attend a free SafeCampus training session where you can learn about proactive solutions, UW resources for counseling and safety, and what to do if you are in a potentially violent situation.

Work/Life  
 
 

Family Caregiver Network
Inclement weather frequently highlights the dependent and fragile status of elderly family members. Bring your concerns and questions to Family Caregiver Network meetings and gather information and ideas from others in similar situations. Meetings are scheduled the last Tuesday of the month from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the HUB, room 304-F. The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 29. Register here.

   

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

   

Childcare Options: UW Nanny Share Network
Check out the Nanny Share Network, the informal online network of UW families wishing to hire or share nannies for their children. In addition, UW WorkLife has provided links to some helpful tools for finding and hiring a nanny to share.

THIS NEWSLETTER WAS SENT BY:
UW Human Resources, Box 354554, Seattle, WA 98105
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