Supporting Employees with Chronic Health Conditions

The MSU WorkLife Office is proud to present the Supervisor Training Series: Supporting Employees with Chronic Health Conditions (physical health and mental health). Fostering a workplace that welcomes and supports the employee as a whole person is a primary focus of the WorkLife Office. As a supervisor, you may find yourself in challenging situations which place the solution at the supervisor's discretion. When it comes to managing an employee with a chronic health condition, it can be of even higher importance that a message of support and acceptance is communicated to the employee, while maintaining a sense of equity amongst the employee and their team members. The Supervisor Training Series is comprised of four webinars which will assist you with effectively managing an employee with a chronic health condition. The WorkLife Office is inviting experts in the compassionate communication and equitable decision-making practices to help meet the following objectives...

This organization is comprised of Asian Pacific American Islander Desi American/Asian Faculty and Staff Association (APIDA/AFSA), Black Faculty, Staff & Administrators Association (BFSAA), Chicano Latino Faculty, Staff, Specialists and Graduate Student Association (ChiLA) and, Educating Anishinabe: Giving, Learning, Empowering (EAGLE) is an advisory and advocacy council to the University. CoREM will hold the University accountable for monitoring, advancing and supporting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement for historically underrepresented racial and ethnic students, staff, faculty and administrators. CoREM is a leadership team that advocates for faculty, staff, and administrators of color to ensure they have full participation at/in MSU. The focus of CoREM includes but is not limited to: (i) equitable recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion and retention of Faculty, Staff and Administrators of color; and (ii) recruiting, admitting, retaining and graduating undergraduate, graduate and professional students of color.

The International Employee Resource Group (International ERG) is a place for Spartans to connect, discuss everyday issues, relationships with friends and family, campus and community connections, and social activities that will help to build community. The International Employee Resource Group will meet every third Thursday of the month (unless otherwise noted on the calendar due to university holidays or other conflicts).

Our keynote speaker and author of the book "The Whole-Person Workplace," Scott Behson, will discuss how to build a better workplace through work-life, wellness and employee support.  

Breakout room topics include: 

1. Flexible Work Arrangements Panel | Ronnie Haas (MIT), Jake Lathrop (MSU), Jaimie Hutchison (MSU)  
2. Family-Friendly Workplace | Lourdes Rodriguez (University of Arizona), Caitlin Azhderian (Stanford), Rachel Perez (MSU)  
3. Whole-Person Culture to Support DEI, Retention and Recruitment | Maranda Holtsclaw (HERC), Tina Alonzo (MSU), Ebony Lucas (MSU) 

Descriptions are on the website

From HR Source

Do you feel like you’re busy all the time yet still not getting things done? Although you won’t always have control over your workload and assignments, further developing your time management skills can help you better manage your responsibilities and end each day with a feeling of productivity and accomplishment. 

The WorkLife Office and Health4U are partnering to bring you Wellbeing Wednesdays. These weekly Wednesday sessions are focused on wellbeing in its many forms: workplace wellbeing, mental health wellbeing, physical wellbeing, etc. Join us each week for informal webinars that bring new topics and presenters, ranging from chair yoga, office ergonomics, managing stress, ecotherapy and so much more!

There may come a time in your career when you feel like your experience and age might be getting in the way of securing new job opportunities. Most employers are trying to find the best candidates, but sometimes biases can affect their willingness to invite an otherwise qualified candidate for an interview. Here are some tips for getting past a resume review, the crucial first step to obtaining your ideal role.

The WorkLife Office and Health4U are partnering to bring you Wellbeing Wednesdays. These weekly Wednesday sessions are focused on wellbeing in its many forms: workplace wellbeing, mental health wellbeing, physical wellbeing, etc. Join us each week for informal webinars that bring new topics and presenters.

• September 14: Supporting Each Other Through the Next New Normal
• September 21: ERGO 100 - Introduction to Ergonomics
• September 28: TBD

September 13 from noon to 1 p.m.

This will be an excellent opportunity for you to gain information about these organizations and what services they can provide as well as an opportunity for you to ask questions to the panelists regarding children with special needs. Our panelists are prepared to help answer the pressing questions that you have in mind for a child in your life in the areas of neurodivergence, autism spectrum disorder and other sensory sensitivities, early childhood screenings, educational advocacy, special education services, and physical, mental, social, or emotional developmental needs. 

September 13 from 3 to 4 p.m.

No matter how much or how little money you can save for retirement, it’s important that you start now and stay invested for your future. You can learn how taking smart financial steps today may help lead you to a solid financial future after you’ve stopped working.

September 21 from noon to 1 p.m.

Join us for our first Women's Networking Association (WNA) session of the 2022/23 academic year! We will hear from Dr. Sabrina Ford about how to best take care of and listen to your body. 

September 22 from noon to 1 p.m.

The International Employee Resource Group (International ERG) is a place for Spartans to connect on issues related to our international community. The goal of the ERG is to connect, build community and share best practices. It is an opportunity to discuss everyday issues, relationships with friends and family, campus and community connections, and social activities that will help to build community. The International Employee Resource Group will meet every Third Thursday of the month, unless otherwise noted on our calendar due to holidays or other conflicts. 

September 29 from noon to 1 p.m.

Caregiving, despite its many rewards, can be a challenge at the best of times. Caregivers often find themselves caregiving from an empty cup. But the times we have been living through these past few years have been difficult for everyone, and make the challenge of caregiving even tougher. In truth we have all lived through a traumatic experience, both individually and collectively. In order to move forward into our “Next Normal”, we need to unpack some of that trauma, share our experiences, learn from them and in so doing, become more resilient, and able to refill our cups. Join us for this presentation designed to help us look at trauma, start the conversation about our own trauma, and take our next steps toward healing.

• Week 1: Introduction to Lactation: Benefits, How Lactation Works
• Week 2: Baby is Here! Getting Started: The Mechanics of Lactation Positioning, Latching On, Feeding Patterns, Challenges
• Week 3: Maintaining Lactation: Lifestyle, Expressing and Storing Milk, Returning to Work
• Week 4: Lactation Transitions: Introducing Solid Foods and Weaning

Although lactation is natural, it is a learned skill. This four-part program is designed to give pregnant parents and their partners information on preparing to breast/chest feed and strategies for continuing to breast/chest feed upon returning to work.