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HR: Upcoming June/July Programs

Professional and Personal Development Programs

Open to faculty and staff.

Register at http://knowledgelink.upenn.edu/

Challenging Negative Attitudes; 6/4 and 7/30; 12:30-1:30 p.m. By challenging negative attitudes, we have the power to take control of pessimistic perspectives and stressful situations. During this course, participants will learn to manage the impact of negative situations, deal with negative people more effectively, and learn coping tools for dealing with change.

Digital Distraction­­—When Technology Takes Over; 6/6; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Digital distraction or “information addiction” is a timely topic that can help employees increase their awareness of their time spent online whether engaging in social media, surfing the internet, gaming, checking messages compulsively, spending time on dating sites, etc. When does technology move from being a tool to taking over a person’s life? This seminar increases awareness of this modern dilemma while sharing specific strategies for employees to consider in order to experience a more balanced life where technology enhances versus detracts from being their best on the job, spending quality time with family and friends, and/or enjoying hobbies and other interests outside of the virtual world.

Fundamentals of Strategic Planning; 6/12; 12:30-1:30 p.m. In today’s work environment, complex tasks and projects are more common than ever. By utilizing strategic planning skills, you’ll be able to set yourself and/or your team up for success. Participants of this course will learn to identify the foundation for creating a strategic team, discover strategic values, participate in strategic planning efforts and avoid common pitfalls that derail strategic plans.

Navigating Your Career at Penn; 6/17; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Navigating Your Career at Penn has been developed to assist staff in building their careers at Penn by helping to connect your skills and abilities with career opportunities. The session will be facilitated by Penn HR. Topics include: Increasing Your Marketability at Penn and Internal Job Strategies.

Making Yourself Indispensable; 6/26; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Indispensable employees perform with a mindset that drives them to think, act and behave differently. In this seminar, you’ll learn how to: take ownership of your responsibilities and results, take initiative to go above and beyond what is expected of you, expand your sphere of influence, perform well under pressure, adapt to changing situations, and avoid being “irreplaceable.”

FDIC Pay Yourself First; 7/9; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saving is one of the most important things you can do, but to save effectively requires understanding savings options and developing savings goals. Whether you want to take a vacation, buy a new home or car, pay for your child’s college tuition, or retire, effective savings practice can make it possible.

STEP UP: First Steps to Excellence; 7/17; 12:30-1:30 p.m. $300 for 8-module course. First Steps to Excellence is part one of STEP UP, Penn’s self-paced seven-part leadership development program. By the end of the First Steps to Excellence, you’ll have a deeper understanding of your five signature strengths and discover additional ways to take charge of your career at Penn. Other STEP UP sessions focus on developing skills to manage oneself, such as communications, getting work done, dealing with change and managing up.

Tools for Career Assessment and Development; 7/23; 12:30-1:30 p.m. A career plan is essentially a map you can use as you drive your career. In this program we will examine questions for assessing and developing your career. You will compare your career options using a variety of tools. By the end of the session you will have the resources needed to develop a plan for career success.

Tips for Effective Meetings; 7/25; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Meetings consume much of the time we spend at work, but the effectiveness of these meetings is often questioned by the participants. We will discuss key things that can be done by both the meeting organizer and the participant to ensure meetings are more effective and productive.

Challenging Negative Attitudes; 6/4 and 7/30; 12:30-1:30 p.m. By challenging negative attitudes, we have the power to take control of pessimistic perspectives and stressful situations. During this course, participants will learn to manage the impact of negative situations, deal with negative people more effectively and learn coping tools for dealing with change.

Work-life Workshops

Open to faculty and staff.

Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Guided Meditation; 6/7, 6/19, 7/16 and 7/30; 12:30-1:30 p.m. (6/7 and 6/19 registration full). Practice mindful breathing that focuses your attention on the present moment with kindness, compassion, and awareness. Self-massage and gentle mindful movements that promote relaxation and reduce stress may also be included in the workshop. No experience necessary.

How to Help Your Parents Live at Home as They Age; 6/11; 12:30-1:30 p.m. (registration full). Ninety percent of seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, but supports may be needed to make this possible. Successful aging requires knowing what resources, tools and technology are available to help keep a loved one safe in their home. This seminar will address where to start if a loved one wants to remain at home as they age, promoting healthy aging, and resources available to keep mom or dad safe at home.

Mindfulness; 6/12 and 7/25; 12:30-1:30 p.m. (6/12 registration full). This monthly workshop will offer participants an opportunity to practice awareness activities adapted from Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. During the first part of our practice, we will begin with a guided meditation focusing on the breath. The second half of our session will focus our attention on a guided exploration of the body, bringing awareness to the different areas of the body, and allowing ourselves to experience how each part feels, without trying to change anything. No experience necessary. All welcome.

New and Expectant Parent Briefing; 6/18; 12:30-1:30 p.m. This is an introductory resource briefing designed for expectant parents and those who are new to parenting or child care. Participants will learn about local and university childcare and parenting resources, including breastfeeding support and the nursing mothers program, childcare locators, back-up care, adjusting to new schedules, and flexible work options, among other topics. This session will also cover Penn’s time away policies including short-term disability (STD), parental leave and related sick leave policies.

Summer Admissions Workshop; 6/20; noon-5 p.m. This session is for rising 9th to 11th-grade children of faculty and staff. Student sessions will include how to navigate the high school curriculum, how to write an application essay, how to interview and more!

Flexible Work Options; 6/25; 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. This presentation will provide an overview of Flexible Work Options and provide guidelines for proposing and implementing a flex request including: understanding the applicable HR guidelines and policies, assessing the fit between position and job responsibilities, reviewing a sample proposal, documenting the flexible work option request and implementing the request.

Making Sense of the Roth: Is It Right for You?; 6/27; noon-1 p.m. (registration full). In this financial wellness workshop, sponsored by MetLife, staff and faculty will explore the basics withdrawal rules of a Roth IRA and 403(b) and learn about tax diversification, eligibility, contribution and conversion. Join our speaker, Albert Corrato, Jr., Certified Financial Planner Professional from Creative Financial Group, MassMutual, for this financial wellness learning opportunity.

Penn Healthy You Workshops

Open to faculty and staff.

Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Gentle Yoga; 6/3, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20 and 6/27; noon-1 p.m. (6/3 registration full). Let your body reward itself with movement! Join us for this Gentle Yoga session and explore the natural movements of the spine with slow and fluid moving bends and soft twists. During this session, you will flow into modified sun salutations that loosen those tightened muscles and joints of the lower back, neck, shoulders and wrists. And as an added bonus, you’ll get a workout in the process. Mats and props will be provided.

Spin 45; 6/4, 6/11, 6/18 and 6/25; 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (6/4 and 6/11 registration full). Pedal your way to a fantastic workout indoors! With the use of stationary cycles, each class is led on a “virtual” outdoor road, complete with a variety of exercises. This class will give you an energizing, calorie-burning, fun workout and it is great for all fitness levels because you will always ride at a self-directed pace.

BODYPUMP Express; 6/5, 6/12 and 6/19; 8-8:30 a.m. A toning and conditioning class with weights that is for everybody! It’s perfect for anyone who wants to add strength training into their aerobic workout. You won’t know if you don’t go. So meet the challenge and reap the rewards!

Chair Yoga; 6/26 and 7/10; noon-1 p.m. (6/26 registration full). Interested in trying yoga but don’t know where to start? Join us for a wonderful class of chair yoga. You get the same benefits of a regular yoga workout (like increased strength, flexibility and balance) but don’t have to master complex poses. Chair yoga can even better your breathing and teach you how to relax your mind and improve your wellbeing.

—Division of Human Resources

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