April 2020 Newsletter

HR Newsletter

April

2020

email |hr@ung.edu phone |706.864.1440

dah | downtown office building gvl |administration building

IN THIS ISSUE

03

NIGHTHAWK WELLNESS

06

KEPRO

07

TAP

08

GUESS WHO!

09

SUMMER IS COMING

10

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

12

TIPS FOR TELEWORKING

14

NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME!

15

BE A NORTH GEORGIA STAR!

Nighthawk Wellness

A P R I L N A T I O N A L S T R E S S AWA R E N E S S MO N T H WHAT EXACTLY IS IS STRESS? Stress is the body's reaction to any changes that require an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses. HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT HEALTH? The body's nervous system has a built-in stress response that causes changes allowing the body to combat stressful situations. This stress response, also known as the "fight or flight response", is activated in case of an emergency. However, this response can become chronically activated during prolonged periods of stress, causing wear and tear on the body – both physical and emotional . Stress that continues without relief can lead to distress. Distress can disturb the body's internal balance , leading to physical and emotional symptoms. Stress is linked to 6 of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

Dizziness or a general feeling of "being out of it" General aches and pains

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?

Headaches

Problems sleeping

Muscle tension in neck, face or shoulders

Racing heart

Tiredness or exhaustion

Sudden or extreme weight gain or loss

Hair loss

Grinding teeth, clenched jaw

4 3 Disconnect from time to time, in a way that fits your needs and preferences. When possible, take time off to relax and unwind, so you come back to work feeling ready to perform at your best. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises and mindfulness can help melt away stress. The skill of being able to focus purposefully on a single activity without distraction will get stronger with practice and you'll find that you can apply it to many different aspects of your life. Accepting help from friends and family members can improve your ability to manage stress. UNG has stress management resources available through KEPRO an employee assistance program (EAP). 1 Do your best to make healthy choices when you feel the tension rise. Exercise is a great stress-buster. Make time for hobbies and favorite activities. Make sure to set aside time for the things that bring you pleasure. Getting enough good-quality sleep is also important for effective stress management. 2 It's easy to feel pressure to be available 24/7 Establish some work-life boundaries for yourself. That might mean making a rule not to check email from home in the evening, or not answering the phone during dinner.

T o o mu c h s t r e s s c a n l owe r p r o d u c t i v i t y a n d p e r f o rma n c e . I t c a n a l s o c a u s e a n x i e t y , i r r i t a b i l i t y a n d d e p r e s s i o n amo n g o t h e r i s s u e s . STRESS WORKPLACE T I P S F OR R E DU C I NG

DEVELOP HEALTHY RESPONSES

ESTABLISH BOUNDARIES

TAKE TIME TO RECHARGE

LEARN HOW TO RELAX GET SOME SUPPORT 5 USG EAP CAN HELP!

Help when you need it. When dealing with life’s challenges — big or small — help is available. Professional, confidential services Online tools and information WorkLife services Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides support for personal and work concerns at no cost to you — For more information or to schedule an appointment, call toll free: 844.243.4440 To access online services, visit www.EAPHelpLink.com Company Code: USGCares 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Products and Services

Online Tools and Information The site provides a wide array of life management tools to help members with a variety of personal and/or work related issues in a private and convenient manner. Research articles Savings center Health/Wellness modules On-demand monthly webinars Relocation center Self-search locators for child, academic, adoption, pet, and adult care resources eLearning: online training programs

40 financial calculators Ready-to-use legal forms

Counseling Services You may speak with a professional counselor by phone, and the EAP will provide a referral to see a local counselor at no cost.

Alcohol/Drugs Anxiety/Stress Depression Grief and loss

Parenting Relationships Transition and change Workplace

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP)

APPLICATIONS DUE SUMMER S EME S T ER APRIL 15!

ABOUT TAP The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides an opportunity for all full time benefits-eligible employees of the University System of Georgia who have successfully completed at least six (6) months of employment in a benefits-eligible position to participate in the educational assistance program. Click HERE for information regarding eligibility and application procedures.

TAP REMINDERS The federal government currently allows up to $5,250 annually, in employer-provided educational assistance benefits, to be “tax free” to TAP participants (applies to both undergraduate and graduate-level courses). An employee must pay taxes on educational assistance benefits in excess of $5,250. This amount will be included in your wages (Box 1 of your Form W-2). A tax professional should be consulted for further information concerning taxable tuition.

CAN YOU GUESS WHO THE EMPLOYEE BELOW IS? CLICK HERE TO LET US KNOW!

WHO GUESS

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHO WAS LAST MONTH’S FLASHBACK PHOTO!

Did you find Nigel? Click here to let us know where in the newsletter he is hiding! To be featured please email us your flashback and current photo! hrnewsletter@ung.edu WHERE IS NIGEL? EVERYONE THAT SUBMITS A FLASHBACK PHOTO WILL BE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR A GRAND PRIZE IN DECEMBER!

SUMMER IS C MING To rehire your current student worker for the summer and/or fall semester you will need to submit a Student Work Agreement, or SWA . Please fill out the SWA at least two (2) weeks before the end date of their current job. The SWA will also alert Human Resources to switch any rehires not enrolled in six (6) or more credit hours to part-time staff .  Please remember, there will be no Federal Work Study during the summer semester . If you wish to keep your student(s) working during the summer term they must be switched to an institutional funded employee. REHIRING STUDENT EMPLOYEES

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT APRIL

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT, CONTACT ELIZABETH KING CAMPUS-WIDE EMAIL, AND ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR A BOOKSTORE GIFTCARD! In support of our employees online learning, we have curated several collections of modules that may prove helpful during work from home periods. Check out the Learning Programs on SkillPort linked on the left hand menu bar. They are built around UNG's five institutional values and designed specifically for ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT and NEW MANAGERS. ANYONE WHO COMPLETES ONE OF THESE MODULES BY APRIL 30 WILL BE RECOGNIZED IN A

EMAIL: ELIZABETH.KING@UNG.EDU PHONE: 706-867-2210

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY, WE INVITE YOU TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! WE HAVE SOME EXCITING THINGS COMING!

You can also scan our nametag below to instantly find us on

Open your Instagram app Tap to search You should see this icon in one of the corners, the exact location will vary depending on your phone Scan our nametag!

TIPS FOR TELEWORKING TIPS TO MANAGE TELEWORKING

Plan consistent check-ins, but do not micro-manage. Use shared calendars, instant messenger, email out-of-office messages, etc. Utilizing Skype via the virtual desktop is a great tool for this.

Discuss and agree upon clear work and communication expectations.

Use this opportunity to build trust among your team.

Consider “virtual water cooler chat”: pose a question or comment to your group for team

Agree on a task list up front, and manage by results. Establish a clear definition of objectives and performance indicators, and ensure monitoring of those indicators along with ongoing training for teleworking employees. members to respond to once or twice a day for the simple purpose of maintaining a sense of connection. Teleworking can get lonely!

It's unrealistic for someone to work steadily for 8.5 hours; we don’t expect it in the office, and it isn’t reasonable from the home office. Encourage your employees to build in breaks, and to maintain both a consistent working schedule and work-life balance.

TIPS FOR TELEWORKING TIPS TO MAKE TELEWORKING SUCCESSFUL

Designate a separate work space. While the couch or even bed may be tempting, a designated work space increases focus and productivity. Although it is working from home, it is still working, so avoid the temptation to loaf, and set up a cohesive work space.

Start your day early, and treat working from home like working from the office. The advice here is to get up and get at it.

Maintain boundaries with those you share space with. Family members or others in the home need to understand that working from home will require you to focus during working hours.

Stay connected to co-workers, but not on social media. Although we will likely miss the social aspects of the workplace, especially when feeling cooped up, make the effort to connect with co-workers and check in with supervisors professionally, but avoid the temptation associated with social media. What starts as a few clicks can easily turn into an internet rabbit hole.

Structure and schedule your work activities into blocks of time, and build in breaks. We work best when we are able to focus deeply, and then come up for air to refresh our minds, bodies, and perspectives. Blocks of time can also provide the structure for mini-goals and check in points on your productivity throughout the day.

Pick an ending time for your day, and maintain your work- life balance.

Keep an eye out for further opportunities for online training and engagement in the days to come.

Use a to-do list, set goals, and plan what each day will hold. Examining what needs to be accomplished each day will help you focus on the tasks at hand, and will help keep you on track.

WELCOME TO

Nicole Stott - Temporary Faculty

NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME MARCH NIGHT HAWK NATION

Tina Craft - Administrative Assistant

Michael Roberts - Custodian

Shane Bono - Study Abroad Advisor

Michelle Foster - Payroll Accounting Assistant

April Campbell - Central Dispatch Officer

DeJon Singletary - Police Officer

Saul Velazquez Esparza - Groundskeeper Brandon Prudhomme - Technical Support Specialist

BE A

The North Georgia STAR employee recognition program recognizes meaningful accomplishments of UNG staff employees who embody the University’s standards for excellence, efficiency, and outstanding customer service to internal or external constituents. STAR NORTH GEORGIA

HOW DO I NOMINATE SOMEONE?

Nominations are accepted at any time. You may complete the  online form here.

Nominees are notified via HR and will receive a certificate and a STAR pin in recognition of their award. Read more about the North Star Award here. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I NOMINATE SOMEONE?

If you need this form in an additional format, please reach out to Michael McLeod - Michael.McLeod@ung.edu