Professional and Personal Development Programs

Open to faculty and staff.

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

Penn Perks; 10/3; 12:30-1:30 p.m. You love the benefits you gain by working for Penn. But there is a good chance there are even more benefits than you knew existed! Be prepared to be surprised and delighted by more than 100 “hidden benefits” we will reveal in this session. We’re sure there is something that will make your day. Join us for this invaluable treasure hunt!

TED Talk Tuesday: Why You Think You’re Right, Even When You’re Wrong; 10/9; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Perspective is everything, especially when it comes to examining your beliefs. Are you a soldier, prone to defending your viewpoint at all costs, or a scout, spurred by curiosity? In this video screening and discussion, Julia Galef examines the motivations behind these two mindsets and how they shape the way we interpret information.

How EAP Services Help Supervisors Support their Employees Webinar; 10/11; 11 a.m.- noon and 3-4 p.m. This webinar focuses on the role of the supervisor in the EAP referral process. The training reviews the basics of the EAP, including making referrals, techniques for reaching out to employees with support and dealing with the different reactions employees may exhibit when they are approached. It also covers obstacles to a successful confrontation and the dangers of enabling.

Work-life Workshops and Events

Open to faculty and staff.

Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Managing Emotional Health at Work Webinar; 10/2; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Managing Emotional Health at Work will help you to develop an awareness of emotional issues and their impact in the workplace. This webinar reviews stressors that impact employee’s behavior and work performance as well as what leadership should look for, and how to supportively confront those concerns for a successful outcome.

Financial Freedom: Strategies for Reducing Debt and Saving More; 10/9; noon-1 p.m. This workshop, presented by Vanguard, covers basic rules of thumb to help participants improve their financial lives and is intended to help the broad population of working Americans who feel they are headed in the wrong direction financially.

Guided Meditation; 10/9 and 10/30; 12:30-1:30 p.m. 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 Nominate a Staff Member or Team for a Models of Excellence Award; 10/9; 12:30-1:30 p.m. 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 and award worthiness. Be sure to attend this workshop and learn about how best to write your nomination.

Penn Family Day; 10/13; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; up to four free tickets. The 26th Annual Penn Family Day welcomes faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars to Shoemaker Green and the historic Franklin Field to enjoy games, sports, science, cultural activities and more as we celebrate Penn community. Order your tickets by October 8 at www.hr.upenn.edu/familyday or the Penn Athletics Ticket Office in Weightman Hall, 235 South 33rd Street. You can get up to four free tickets for the tailgate party and football game. Additional tickets are $8 each.

Stress Management; 10/16; 12:30-1:30 p.m. It is natural to become stressed when the demands on time and energy have become too great. This can happen both at home and at work, and can severely limit productively and effectiveness. This workshop shows the physiological stages of stress development, and its harmful effects on the body. It also addresses the defining symptoms and different sources of stress. This useful information is incorporated with helpful stress relievers and imagery techniques.

The Challenges of Infant Sleep; 10/16; noon-1 p.m. Becoming a parent is one of the greatest joys you will experience, but often the accompanying sleep deprivation is one of the greatest struggles. Our workshop with Dr. Melisa Moore, a clinical psychologist and board certified sleep expert at CHOP, can help. She will share with you the common causes of pediatric sleep issues and different solutions that we can use to shape the foundation of a healthy sleep routine for our little ones. This workshop is tailored for parents and caregivers of infants, toddlers and children under five. This event is co-hosted by the Family Center and the Division of Human Resources, open to all Penn families. Lunch will be provided. Please register in advance.

Balancing Work-Family-Life; 10/17; 12:30- 1:30 p.m. Balancing your work and home life can seem impossible in our busy world. Feelings of guilt and turmoil are stirred by 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.”

Mindfulness; 10/17; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Mindfulness is “paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally,”  said Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindfulness practice develops awareness of your present thoughts and feelings to help you manage different situations. In this once-a-month experiential workshop, you’ll see how mindfulness can help you become more engaged and effective both at home and in the workplace. No prior meditation experience necessary.

New and Expectant Parent Briefing; 10/18; 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.

It is Not The Fountain in the Lobby: What to look for in a Long Term Care Community; 10/22; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Of course some of us want to live in the big house with the grand chandelier, pool, and three car garage. So it’s no shock that if we were to consider a nursing home or assisted living community for ourselves, we would want a place that has all the bells and whistles—not a dingy nursing home like many of us have come across. Although, even with nursing homes, looks may be deceiving. This seminar will address options for senior living communities, what to look for when choosing a long-term care community and resources available to help identify the best fit for your family.

Let’s Talk about Breastfeeding; 10/23; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. This interactive conversation is led by Diane Spatz, director of the lactation program at CHOP, professor of perinatal nursing and the Helen M. Shearer Professor of Nutrition at the School of Nursing. This event is a great opportunity for expecting, new and experienced parents on campus to get help with breastfeeding challenges, ensure a smooth transition back to work and academics while sharing helpful tips with one another. If you are currently breastfeeding, pumping and/or bottle-feeding, pregnant, formula-feeding or just curious about breastfeeding, come join us for this conversation. This event is co-sponsored by Family Resource Center and the Division of Human Resources and is open to Penn staff, faculty, student, post docs and their partners. Lunch will be provided.

Penn Healthy You Workshops and Programs

Open to faculty and staff; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Be in the Know Biometric Screenings; Start this year’s Be in the Know campaign and sign up for a free and confidential biometric screening, which measures your blood pressure, blood sugar (glucose), and non-fasting total and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol. You may also choose to fast to include low-density cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride results. Get started today and earn up to $300 this campaign year!

10/9; Dental, Evans Building;

10/11; Nursing, Claire Fagin Hall;

10/15; Houston Hall;

10/16; New Bolton Center, Kennett Square;

10/17; Irvine Auditorium;

10/18; Tse Center Hutchinson Gym;

10/22; Houston Hall;

[CANCELLED] 10/23; DAR, FMC Tower;

10/25; Irvine Auditorium;

10/26; LGBT Center;

10/29; Pottruck Center;

[CANCELLED] 10/30; Hoover Lounge, Vance Hall;

10/31; FRES Left Bank

Gentle Yoga; 10/16 and 10/30; noon-1 p.m. 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.

Bodycombat; 10/26; 11 a.m.-noon. This fiercely energetic cardiovascular workout program is inspired by martial arts and draws from a wide array of disciplines such as Karate, boxing, Taekwondo, Tai Chi and Muay Thai. Tone and shape muscles while burning major calories!

October Wellness Walk: Breast Cancer Awareness; 10/26; noon-1 p.m. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. We are asking everyone who can to show their support by wearing pink. It can be a pink hat, shirt, socks, jewelry, scarf, etc. The more pink the better. So grab your coworkers and join us as we take advantage of the great benefits walking produces, while we also remember those who are still on their journey to recovery, honor those who are no longer with us and celebrate those who have survived! Meet the Center for Public Health Initiatives staff at noon in front of College Hall by the Ben Franklin statue, and walk a one- or two-mile route around Penn’s campus, returning to College Hall. Bring your water bottle and don’t forget your sneakers!

Get Your Flu Shot on Campus

Penn faculty and staff can prepare for the flu season with a free influenza vaccine on-campus at one of these convenient clinics. October Flu Vaccine Clinics are sponsored by Student Health Service (SHS). No appointment or pre-registration is necessary for these SHS clinics. They are open to all Penn faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars. Just bring your valid PennCard to Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall.

Wednesday and Thursday, October 10 and 11

11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.,

Friday, October 12, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Benefits-eligible faculty and staff will earn 10 Bonus Action points for Be in the Know when they receive a flu vaccine. For more information, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/beintheknow

In accordance with the Affordable Care Act, Penn employees do not need to pay for flu shots and seek reimbursement from their insurance companies.

For more information about faculty and staff flu vaccine clinics, contact Human Resources at qowl@hr.upenn.edu or (215) 573-2471.

For more information about the upcoming flu season, visit www.cdc.gov/flu

—Division of Human Resources