WorkLife Connections:
November News
Outstanding Supervisor Awards Honor Bosses Who Promote WorkLife Balance
Outstanding Supervisor Erica Lang with her team
By Gregory Teachout

Each October, MSU's WorkLife Office honors Michigan State University supervisors who have consistently demonstrated sensitivity to the intersection of their employees' work and personal lives. Employees from any MSU unit may nominate their supervisors. After the WorkLife Office determines the year's winners, the festivities begin. The WorkLife Office coordinates with employees in the winners' work spaces to make each winner's celebration day special. 

How Gratitude Benefits You at Work
Gratitude has a wealth of positive effects
By Jaimie Hutchison

In November, we often reflect and give thanks or take the time to think about what we are grateful for. For some of us, it is a year-round process. At our house, we talk about the best part of our day and the worst part of our day each night at dinner. We reflect on what we are grateful for. Other people start grateful jars and write something down each day, starting on the first of the year, then review them at the end of the year. No matter what your motivation, or what time of the year you do it, practicing gratitude has a wealth of positive effects on your health, relationships, personality, emotions, and career. 

MSU Celebrates Veterans Week 2019
sparty with USA flag
Each year in November veterans from across the university gather for a series of events. The WorkLife Office is proud to support and celebrate veterans along with the Student Veterans Resource Center. This year's brunch will be held on November 11 with keynote speaker David Dunckel, Departmental Specialist with the Strategy Division of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency through the State of Michigan.

This year's MSU veteran and military family highlights include:
  • Robert Hernandez
  • Chelsey Eimer
  • Emily Bredin
  • Patrick Forystek
 
Spotlight Stories:
Leanne Hancock Hardisty

Spotlight Story on Leanna Hancock Hardisty with quote from the article
This series highlights Spartans through the Spotlight Stories. The goal is to build community at MSU, show people they are not alone, bring awareness to important stages of the lifespan and promote family friendly policies and workplace. This month Leanne Hancock Hardisty, Research Associate in Earth and Environmental Sciences at MSU provides her insights on being a new parent, breastfeeding and tips for success.

Never Seem to Have Enough Money?
Learn How to Manage Income and Debt

picture of credit cards for graphic element
Being buried under debt makes it tough to save enough for a rainy-day fund or for retirement. On Thursday, Nov. 7, from noon - 1 p.m. WorkLife Office presents Inside Money: Managing Income and Debt with our local TIAA financial consultant, Jessica Burmeister, in the MSU Union, Room 30. Or, attend the same session as a webinar on Friday, Nov. 8, from 9 - 10 a.m. hosted by our local TIAA financial consultant, Ryan Hallowell. The seminar and webinar are open to all MSU employees.

Women's Networking Association:
Meet Lisa Parker and Other Members
group photo of womens networking committee members
The mission of the Women's Networking Association is to connect professional women across campus through meaningful and empowering relationships. Providing an opportunity for women to network and support one another is an essential step for building women's leadership at Michigan State University and in the Greater Lansing Community.  

"The Women's Networking Association offers opportunities to connect, gain perspective, learn essential skills, experiment with new versions of ourselves, and foster personal and professional growth. I enjoy contributing to MSU's efforts to support fellow employees." said Lisa Parker, MSU Women's Networking Association member and Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, MSU Alumni Office.

Welcome Nicki Walker from MSW Program
as the WorkLife Office Intern!

Nicki Walker photo
A loyal Spartan, Nicki Walker received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University, and she is currently attending MSU to obtain her master's degree in social work. She is also a full-time staff member at MSU, and her experience ranges from writing and editing to management and human resources. Nicki loves helping people, and she is thankful for the opportunity to assist the larger MSU community through her role at the WorkLife Office. When not working, studying, or interning, Nicki enjoys spending time with her family and participating in some of the many fun activities the Greater Lansing community has to offer.

Upcoming Events
NOVEMBER

  • November 1 - Breastfeeding Series: Benefits, How Breastfeeding Works
  • November 4 - How to Budget Like a Boss
  • November 7 Inside Money: Managing Income and Debt
  • November 7 Respect and Support Series: Creating Flexible Work Arrangements as a Team
  • November 7 - Veterans Day Dinner
  • November 7 - ROTC Chapel Service
  • November 8 Breastfeeding Series: Baby is Here! Getting Started
  • November 8 - Inside Money: Managing Income and Debt
  • November 11 - Veterans Day Brunch
  • November 11 - Permission to Process: Secondary Trauma
  • November 13 - TransMilitary Film Screening
  • November 13 - WNA Tracking your Professional Success
  • November 13 - Bagels with Beginners: New Spartan Info Sessions
  • November 13 - Investing and Saving for Future You
  • November 14 - Secular Meditation: Being Present
  • November 14 - Your Local Daycare Options
  • November 15 - Women Veterans Listening
  • November 15 - Breastfeeding Series: Lifestyle, Expressing and Storing Milk, Returning to Work
  • November 19 - Long Term Care Planning Presented by Chalgian & Tripp Law Offices
  • November 21 - Tri County Office on Aging Support for your Aging Parents
  • November 22 - Breastfeeding Series: Transitions
  • November 22 - International Newcomer Panel Breakfast
  • November 30 - International Newcomer Football Game Activity (TBD)
  •  
    DECEMBER

  • December 3 - Welcome to MSU1 Bring your Lunch Info Session
  • December 5 - Attention to Detail: Financial Finishing Touches for Women
  •  
    SAVE THE DATE - details available in the future

  • April 23, 2020 - Take Your Child to Work Day
  • October 20, 2020 - WorkLife Office Conference


  • Reflect and connect flyer. please visit website for information
    Permission to Process: Secondary Trauma

    Exposure to troubling events in the news can have a real impact on your worklife. Learn more about Secondary Trauma by joining the MSU WorkLife Office for our November 11th session of 'Reflect and Connect'.

    Monday, November 11 | Noon - 1:30 p.m. 
    110 Chittenden Hall, 466 W. Circle Drive

    Facilitator:
    WorkLife Office Lifespan & Family Services Coordinator 
    Jaimie Hutchison, MA, LPC, GCDF

    The Reflect and Connect series provides an opportunity for MSU faculty and staff to come together to examine the impacts of contemporary events/tragedies on work and personal lives and provides a space to explore best self-care-/work-effectiveness strategies.

    Being exposed to troubling events can impact your personal and professional life. Here's why you should attend this session:
    • Learn how to recognize symptoms of secondary trauma
    • Learn strategies to decrease the effects of secondary trauma
    • Improve awareness of campus and community resources to address secondary trauma
    IMPROVE PERSONAL & WORKLIFE FOCUS

    Session is open to everyone. No registration needed. Refreshments provided. 

    Breastfeeding Series icons with infant hand holding parent hand
    Breastfeeding Series: Fridays in November

    Although breastfeeding is natural, it is a learned skill. This four-part program is designed to give pregnant women and their partners information on preparing to breastfeed and strategies for continuing to breastfeed upon returning to work.

    Request a Workshop for Your Team

    Do you have a request for a workshop not already on the calendar? Is there something specific you'd like to have presented or discussed with your team? We've now made it even easier to connect with us for those requests.

    Request a Workshop or check out the "Request a Workshop" button on our homepage.   
    request a workshop button image
    Care.com has More Than Babysitters for You
    School holidays mean school is closed. Use care.com for help.
    Whether you need ongoing help taking care of your kids or parents, a back-up pet sitter, or even someone to help you set up a party or organize your garage, you can depend on Care.com!

     Check out Care.com/msu
    Visit the WorkLife website!
    Connect with us!
    479 West Circle Drive, Linton Hall, Suite 116

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