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WorkLife Connections:
January News
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Dear Spartans,
The New Year often finds me sitting by a fire, to reflect and plan. I never complete a holiday letter before the holidays, so friends look forward to my New Year's Note. A look back at the year helps me both capture it for myself and update far-flung friends and family. (This year's version was a doozy!) I used to take out my datebook (you know, the paper kind), or now Outlook on my phone, and enter the important dates I already know. Starting with vacations, so I don't let my family down; work commitments (the October WorkLife Conference!), and gardening plans. Both reflecting and planning gives me a sense of where I've been, and where I look forward to being in the coming year.
Read the full letter to the community from Executive Director and Senior Advisor to the Provost Barbara Roberts
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Respectful Workplace Series Built to Support MSU Community
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By John Girdwood, MSA, PhD: Research & Educational Program Coordinator
We heard MSU employees speak clearly during our annual conference: Bullying is a significant issue at MSU. In a sample poll, 94% of our attendees indicated they have witnessed/experienced workplace bullying on campus. This series is our response to support you.
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Spartans Taking Care and Connecting:
The Pet Edition
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When we asked Spartans what they were doing to stay healthy or connected during the pandemic, pets came up often. Yes, our furry family members have been a really important part of our social distancing, working from home, and have provided companionship.
Read message about Spartan Pets
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Working from Home: A Year in Review
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By Lauren Gaines McKenzie, Director of DEI, College of Communication, Arts & Sciences
The Coronavirus pandemic forced us out of offices and lecture halls and into our own homes -- with varying combinations of family, children, animals, partners -- for an indeterminate time. The distinction between work and home disappeared, and working from home revealed realities of who we really are. All of those identities that may have otherwise been unseen, overlooked or disregarded became impossible to ignore.
See the slideshow of Spartans
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MSU Outstanding Supervisor Highlight:
Deb Martinez
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This award recognizes individuals with a positive leadership style that empowers others, which is observed in how Deb Martinez has coached individuals. Martinez is relentlessly positive, while still giving herself and others grace when a day gets someone down. Positive leadership is the ability to reframe a set of circumstances and make the best of the situation at hand. Martinez does this so naturally and guides others to do the same. It is hard to emphasize one skill Martinez has because she holds so many as a leader.
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration in January
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This year's theme, "Good Trouble: Reclaiming Our Democracy, Demanding Social Justice", reflects the legacy of Mr. John Lewis. In fact, he coined the phrase, "good trouble," when he would frequently tell audiences across the nation, "Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and redeem the soul of America."
A broad line-up of activities is being coordinated for the University community. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate. We welcome the broad exchange of ideas and critical conversations that cover a wide spectrum of social justice topics that are important to us all, especially during the most challenging time we face in our nation in modern history.
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You are Not Alone:
New Affinity Groups Available
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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
NEW - Adult Caregiver Affinity Group
This group is intended to virtually connect MSU faculty and staff who have caregiving responsibilities for adults in their lives and those navigating assisting a senior in their life with changing care needs. This group is open to anyone interested in connecting with other adult caregivers, or learning about issues such as how to care for yourself as a caregiver, how to start conversations about living situation changes, or how to navigate end of life choices conversations.
Family Affinity Group
A place for Spartans to connect on family related topics with the goal of connecting, building community and sharing best practices regarding raising or caregiving for children and caregivers.
Women's Networking Association (WNA)The WNA connects 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.
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Sessions
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Work and Wellness Connect series - Monday at noon
A space sponsored by MSU WorkLife Office to connect with other faculty, staff, and post-doc Spartans with a focus on combating isolation, creating a community and sharing resources.
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Respectful Workplace series - Friday at noon
We heard MSU employees speak clearly during our annual conference: Bullying is a significant issue at MSU. In a sample poll, 94% of our attendees indicated they have witnessed/experienced workplace bullying on campus. The WorkPlace Bullying Series is our response to support you.
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Learn Basic Home Improvement with IPF
This year, many MSU employees moved offices from East Lansing to our homes. Our first few weeks may have involved getting a new office chair, stocking pens and paper, and ensuring we had adequate internet to link us to the thousands of Zoom meetings this summer and fall. We now enter the cold winter months and have other things to consider as we keep our home offices safe and healthy. Learn more
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Follow us on Facebook for more information and upcoming events.
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Join WorkLife Listservs
The WorkLife Office manages several popular listservs. These email lists are an effective way for MSU faculty and staff to communicate directly with a group of people just like you! Join a Listserv
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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.
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Care.com has More Than Babysitters for You
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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
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We're just like you. We're teachers, business executives, parents, retirees, students...you name it. But the one thing we all have in common is our dedication to change. And the more volunteers we have, the bigger impact we can all make. Together. Learn More about what it means to be a volunteer.
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479 West Circle Drive, Linton Hall, Suite 116
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