WorkLife Connections Newsletter |
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Whole-Person Workplace (author coming to MSU in October)
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By Jaimie Hutchison, MA, LPC
What is the whole-person workplace? It is a set of research-based best practices that honor employees as a full person. This includes embracing their complete identity and numerous roles, both inside and outside of work. Research has repeatedly found that workplaces benefit from diversity of thought, and that groups of people with differing identities, life experiences, and roles make stronger teams. It has been proven that diverse workforces are better problem solvers and innovators. There is a business case for...
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The WorkLife Office supports MSU’s faculty, academic staff, and support staff in connecting and navigating multiple roles throughout workplace, career, and life transitions. The WorkLife Office partners with the community to create an inclusive, responsive work environment where all faculty and staff are respected and supported toward well-being in their work and personal lives. The team within the WorkLife Office serves MSU community in a wide array of areas that fall into one of these five categories: family, career, workplace, community connections, newcomers.
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March is Women's History Month
At MSU, many departments, campus groups, and student organizations have created events to showcase during the month of March. In our use of “women” we recognize that gender is complex. We are all more than just our gender - we are comprised of myriad intersecting identities...
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Michigan State University is a large campus with many different opportunities. Sometimes, connecting with colleagues who share research interests or values can help make an enormous campus feel more like a community. Below are just a few suggestions about where you might get started. See what groups are available in the MSU community. |
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Women's Advisory Committee for Support Staff
This group shares perspective and works on initiatives and recommendations surrounding women's health and safety, MSU benefits, diversity and inclusion, support staff engagement, education, training, and more.
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MSU Women of Color Community (WOCC)
In an effort to support Women of Color at Michigan State University, in fall 2018 the IDEA Coordinators established the Women of Color Community as a social and professional resource for this community. Women of Color is meant to be a unifying term and is inclusive of Black, Arab, Asian, Chicana, Latina, Native, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, and biracial/multiracial identities. This community is open to all administrators, faculty, academic specialists, and staff colleagues.
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Women of Color Initiatives (WOCI)
WOCI was established in 2016 to serve Womxn of Color and allies on Michigan State University’s campus. Their purpose is to create a space for Womxn of Color to focus on, learn about, and build community in relation to pressing sociopolitical issues that transcend race, class, sex, and gender issues, with attention to how they affect Indigenous/Native American/Alaskan Native, Black/African American, Mexican/Chicana, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Puerto Rican/Latinx Caribbean womxn in distinctive ways. Womxn of Color at MSU have access to holistic and culturally validating support and resources that will allow them/us to thrive. They maintain a consistent focus on holistic health and wellbeing that supplements other resources on campus, tailoring them to the experience of Womxn of Color, effectively giving them the tools to not just survive but thrive.
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Women’s Networking Association
The mission of the Women’s Networking Association (WNA) 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.
WNA hosts monthly seminars which focus on professional development and leadership building. Topics have included: Effective Networking; Creating Your Brand; Goal Setting and Achievement; Communication Skills for Women; among others. WNA programs are open to all and may have particular relevance to individuals seeking to advance their careers or develop networking and leadership skills. While these seminars are intended for professional women at MSU, WNA activities are open to all.
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Sleep: the Biggest Act of Care for Self and Families
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With difficulty finding childcare, work uncertainties, and ever-rising prices for daycare, it is easy to see why those with young children are facing a particularly heavy burden in the time of COVID-19. Higher stress levels, for both caregivers and their dependents, and difficulty sleeping go hand-in-hand at a time when good health is as important as it has ever been. Getting the “right” amount of restful sleep every night is the biggest act of care you can do, both for yourself and your family. |
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Support for Spartans who are Caregivers
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The WorkLife Office is a strong advocate of support for Spartans who are caregivers. We appreciate the struggles, we see the challenges, and we are here for you. With that being said, we want to be sure you are aware of our childcare and eldercare options and resources. |
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The Characteristics of a Positive Work Environment
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Your work environment can have a positive or negative effect on your daily life. “Positive” work environments can be defined as those workplaces where there is trust, cooperation, safety, risk-taking support, accountability, and equity. |
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Did you know that the MSU WorkLife Office offers career consultations to faculty and staff as well as their partners/spouses? Career consultations include short-term assistance with things like exploring your interests and related careers, resumé/CV and cover letter writing, interview tips, help with a job search, and more! We can meet you exactly where you are in your career journey and begin from there. |
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Focused Eating in a World of Distraction
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Finding a quiet moment in a world of technology is difficult. Distractions are at the touch of a button. We are a nation of multi-taskers. It seems that doing one thing at a time is rare and that includes while eating a meal or snack. Think back to your last meal. What did it look like? Were you relaxed? Health4U has a nutritionist that you can meet with.
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New Parent/Caregiver
Education Series
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Free to MSU faculty, staff, and student parents
Presenter: Natosha Sage-El, Expectant Parents Organization
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March 8
The Future of Women and Work
(And why it's different than you think)
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As we celebrate International Women’s Day, join Reshma Saujani, CEO of Marshall Plan for Moms and Founder of Girls Who Code in conversation with Care.com CEO Tim Allen. In her newest book, PAY UP, Reshma dismantles the myth of “having it all” and lifts the burden we place on individual women to be primary caregivers, and to work around a system built for and by men. The time has come, she argues, for a sweeping culture shift. Reshma and Tim will discuss how the private sector can lead on innovating and advancing equitable workplaces, as well as share their own experiences of parenting during a pandemic and the many exposed truths of navigating the personal and professional. |
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March 10 – Family Employee Resource Group
The Resilience Toolbox
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Prolonged or intense stress can have lasting negative impacts in the development of young children. Children with resilience are better able to manage this stress and work towards healthy and successful outcomes. This workshop will help participants gain an understanding of how stress affects children and the importance of developing resilience to combat that stress, including specific strategies for building protective factors. Stocking up your resilience toolbox empowers you to help children learn to manage the stressors in their lives and give them the skills, tools and know-how to deal with whatever life throws at them. |
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March 16 – Fatherhood Forum Today's Fathers: Caring, Committed, and Conflicted
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Fathers and guardians of all ages are welcome to listen to how COVID has impacted gender roles on the home front and the research on the changing role of fathers in the workplace. Speaker Dr. Brad Harrington’s research and teaching focuses on career management and work-life integration, the changing role of fathers, and contemporary workforce management strategies. |
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March 23 – WNA The Power of Affirmations – An Antidote for Imposter Syndrome & Burnout |
This workshop will explore the power of affirmations and address how they are important as an antidote to imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and burnout.
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March 24 – Adult Caregivers Employee Resource Group |
Maintaining the safety and the independence of our elders is a delicate balance. How does one decide how to keep an elder person safe, but what risks are worth taking in order to maintain their independence? This can often be a stressful issue for older adults and caregivers who support them. Approaching caregiving as a partnership and identifying resources to assist older adults is essential to maintaining their independence and taking a collaborative approach to their care. |
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MSU WorkLife Office | worklife.msu.edu
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