Professional and Personal Development Programs

Open to faculty and staff. Register at http://knowledgelink.upenn.edu/

Leadership Awareness - Supporting the Emotional Well-Being of Your Team; 10/5; 12:30 p.m. –1:30 p.m.; free. This training focuses on the role of the supervisor in the EAP referral process. The EAP is an effective, preventive resource for employees whose work performance is being impacted by personal problems. The training reviews the basics of the EAP, including making referrals, techniques for reaching out to staff with support, and dealing with the different reactions employees may exhibit when they are approached.

The Work Happiness Method Workshop Series Session 1; 10/6; 1 p.m.–2 p.m.; free. Join positive psychology expert and executive coach Stella Grizont in a seven-week series called The Work Happiness Method. Each week Stella will teach you a new inner skill to help you not only cope with transition back, but to help you thrive moving forward. The program will help you feel more positive, in control, and purposeful at work and in life.

How to Write a Models of Excellence Nomination; 10/12; 2 p.m.–3 p.m.; free. Do you work with someone who shows special initiative or demonstrates outstanding leadership? Have you noticed that a colleague or team excels at fostering workplace collaboration or shows an especially deep commitment to service? If so, then recognize them as a Model of Excellence. The Selection Committee depends on the content of the nominations to make its decisions. Therefore, nominations submitted should be as detailed and descriptive as possible in order to convey a nominee’s exceptional performance. Be sure to attend this workshop and learn about how best to write your nomination!

The Gift of Feedback; 10/20; 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.; free. Feedback can be an amazing gift that helps improve performance, but many managers feel challenged by giving and receiving feedback.  In this session managers will learn how to frame feedback as a gift that creates productive dialog and improved performance.  Additionally, we will cover how managers can solicit feedback from staff in order to become a more effective leader.

Assertiveness Skills; 10/27; 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.; free. You may experience situations when you need to be assertive to complete a task, goal or project. In this class, we will identify personal blocks to assertiveness, identify both assertive and non-assertive language and behaviors, and learn ways to use assertiveness in everyday situations.

Work-Life Workshops

Open to faculty and staff. Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Virtual 30-Minute Guided Meditation; 10/1; noon–12:30 p.m.; free. Meditation, quite simply, is training your attention. In an age of distraction, especially this past year, this becomes a very important skill if we are to maintain focus, mental acuity, and develop emotional intelligence. This meditation is guided to encourage spaciousness and stability in your life. It may be the most worthwhile 30 minutes of your day! Also October 8, 15, 22, 29.  

Mindfulness and Anxiety; 10/6; 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.; free. In this experiential workshop, you’ll see, feel and practice how mindfulness can help you to improve your ability to reduce anxiety. Participants will learn how to be intentional, stay present, observe our thoughts, and manage our feelings. Participants will enjoy learning how to let go of negative emotions in favor of more positive emotions like courageousness, acceptance, and peace. No prior meditation or mindfulness experience necessary. Bring a journal and pen.

Virtual 30-Minute Chair Yoga Plus Core; 10/11; noon–12:30 p.m.; free. Start your week off right! This offering consists of moves you can do to tone your abdominals, lengthen your spine, and strengthen your entire torso region. Chair Yoga + Core consists of moves you can do to tone your abdominals, lengthen your spine, and strengthen your entire torso region. Many activities depend on a strong core, from the simple act of bending to put on shoes to the most athletic endeavors. Chair yoga for the core helps you learn to engage your abdominals correctly. With the abdominals engaged, you’ll find a natural lift and length without having to force anything. In just 30 minutes, beginners and those who regularly exercise can learn at their desk. Also October 18, 25.

Mindfully Moving Through Change 4 Week Program; 10/14; 3 p.m.–4 p.m.; free. Mindfulness can help us to navigate through change with more poise, ease and self-care. This four-part series will introduce a framework to help participants to understand the process of change and learn mindfulness-based strategies that can assist them in navigating the change process more skillfully. Also October 14, 21, and 28, and November 4.

Balancing Work Life and Family; 10/19; 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.; free. Balancing your work and home life can seem impossible in our busy world. Feelings of guilt and turmoil are stirred by the demands of work and home and the lack of personal time and time for family and friends. Through open discussion, this workshop outlines how to work toward attainable personal and professional goals, while reducing stress levels. It also offers effective workday tips for reducing discomfort and guilt, and successfully “keeping it all together.”

Chair Yoga; 10/20; noon-1 p.m.; free. Chair yoga is a more moderate form of yoga that’s done while sitting in a chair or using a chair for support. You get the same benefits of a regular yoga workout (like increased strength, flexibility, and balance) but you 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 well-being. Ready to give it a try? Join us for a free Chair Yoga workshop. And don’t worry about your experience or flexibility—chair yoga can be modified for all levels! This workshop will be led by Judith Glass from UPHS.

Guided Mindful Meditation; 10/21; noon–1 p.m.; free. This workshop is for participants to practice present moment awareness with kindness and compassion. Our practice will include guided meditation focusing on the breath, body awareness, mindful movement, and other practices to cultivate wellbeing for self and others. The workshop is appropriate for people new to mindfulness practice as well as more experienced practitioners. No experience necessary. All warmly welcome.

Mindfulness and Social Justice; 10/21; 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.; free. Many of us are compelled to stand up for racial and social justice as the events in our city and throughout our country make it clear that without substantial change, great suffering continues. But how do we maintain equanimity and not succumb to helplessness in our efforts to bring about change? This workshop, led by Valerie Brown, will discuss how to use mindfulness to navigate these challenges. She will share her experience with mindfulness training through a social justice lens.

New and Expectant Parent Briefing; 10/22; 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.; free. 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 the lactation program, childcare locators, back-up care, adjusting to new schedules, flexible work options, and other topics. This session will also cover Penn’s time away from work policies including short-term disability, parental leave, and related sick leave and related policies.

Virtual 30-Minute Chair Yoga for Posture; 10/27; noon–12:30 p.m.; free. A chair-based stretching and strengthening class to sit upright with ease. Long hours of sitting can weaken the glutes, destabilize the pelvis, and lead to back pain. Learn simple techniques that may reduce discomfort and empower you right in your seat.

Penn Healthy You Workshops

Open to faculty and staff. Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Understanding Social Security with MetLife; 10/12; noon–1 p.m.; free. There are advantages to delaying Social Security. In this financial wellness workshop, you will learn about those advantages, the consequences of earned income, and how taxes can affect benefits. This financial workshop is sponsored by MetLife and led by Al Corrato, Jr. from Creative Financial Group.

Cooking Demonstration with Corporate Wellness Nutrition; 10/13; noon–1 p.m.; free. In honor of Work and Family Month, join a registered dietician from Corporate Wellness Nutrition for a family-friendly, healthy cooking demonstration! Two recipes will be demonstrated: Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese and Nutrient-Packed Popsicles. 

Monthly Wellness Walk - Pink Out for Breast Cancer Awareness; 10/14; noon–1 p.m.; free. Meet the team at noon on Woodland Walk, by College Hall and the Ben Franklin statue. The CPHI will lead you on a two-mile walk on/near campus to help you increase physical activity and steps, plus build community with participating Penn staff and faculty. Be sure to wear sneakers or comfortable shoes, bring water, and invite a colleague to join the celebration!  For our October walk, show your support with a Pink Out for breast cancer awareness and to encourage yearly breast exams for early detection.

Virgin Pulse Wellness Platform Demo; 10/20; noon–1 p.m.; free. Join us for a virtual live demonstration of the new Virgin Pulse wellness platform and information on the 2021-2022 Be in the Know campaign! During the demonstration, Virgin Pulse client success manager Leah Beckwith will walk participants through many aspects of the platform.

Middle Career - Expanding Your Household with PNC; 10/26; 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.; free. Career advancement—and the increased income that comes with it—presents both new opportunities and responsibilities. In this workshop, we’ll discuss creating a spending plan, managing your credit history, and what to do if your identity is compromised. You’ll learn the stepping stones to buying your first home and how to make use of home equity products. We’ll also cover the financial aspects of an issue that confronts many mid-career adults: caring for elder parents.

—Division of Human Resources