UHR News
University Human Resources

November 2, 2009

Questions? Please use the contact information found within each article for the fastest reply.

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Open Enrollment is Underway!

Open Enrollment – your opportunity to make benefit elections for 2010 – is underway now until 5:00 p.m. on November 6. The changes you make remain in effect until December 31, 2010 unless you experience a qualified family status change.

What should you do?

First, learn about your benefits options and 2010 rates, and review your current elections to make sure they continue to meet your individual needs. If you are sure you want to keep your current benefits elections, no action is required unless you want to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). FSA enrollments do not carry over from year to year and you must re-enroll if you wish to participate.

To review or revise your benefits elections or enroll in an FSA, you may do so through Self Service on Wolverine Access until 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, November 6.

Click here to login to Wolverine Access.

Click here to view or print the Open Enrollment booklet.

Questions about Your Benefits?
For answers to frequently asked benefits questions, visit the New AskHR!

Looking for answers to all of your HR and Benefits related questions? A great place to start is the new AskHR. It’s a site that focuses on a simple, yet powerful, search engine to help you find the answers you need.

Visit askhr.umich.edu to get started!

Consult with a benefits representative in the HR/Payroll Service Center by calling 5-2000 (Ann Arbor campus), 734-615-2000 (local or off-campus), or 866-647-7657 (toll-free for off-campus long-distance calling).

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Three New Brown Bags from FASAP

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) are offering 15 "Brown Bag" educational presentations – including the following three new ones. The 45-minute presentations, offered free of charge, are available to any faculty/staff group or unit upon request (there is a minimum number of attendees required). They are provided at the requestor's site and are ideal offerings for a lunch hour or during a staff development session.

Oops – why we make mistakes and what we can do about it
Tired of making mistakes and beating yourself up because of them? Frustrated or confused about why other people make mistakes? Join us to explore the underlying causes of mistakes and discuss ways of preventing them.

Challenge Yourself – expand your comfort zone
Feeling confined or in a rut? Need a change? Is this the time for you to experience something new or go in a new direction in your life? Join us to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of comfort zones, and think about ways of expanding yours.

Understanding Mental Health Conditions & Creating a Emotional Healthy Work Environment
Do you know that an estimated 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in their lifetime? Given that you, a family member or a coworker might be that one individual, perhaps you can benefit from a better understanding of mental and emotional health conditions and factors that constitute a mental health friendly work environment. Join us to discuss these issues and learn about the workplace programs and resources available to U-M faculty and staff who experience mental health conditions.

Click here for a complete list of FASAP Brown Bags: http://www.umich.edu/~fasap/training/bags.html#top

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Workplace 2009
A Special HRD Event on November 18

Workplace 2009
Wednesday 11/18/09
Four Points by Sheraton, Ann Arbor
Keynote Speaker: Angie Morgan

Morning Session 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.:
How to Lead When You're Not in Charge

Afternoon Session 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.:
How to Have Effective Dialogues With Your Boss

The pace of the workplace is moving faster than ever, making personal leadership at all levels increasingly valuable to every organization. Workplace 2009 provides us with an ideal opportunity to invest in our learning and growth in a flexible format. Come for a half-day, or all day for workshops, resources, and demonstrations in areas that are important for your future success. We hope you will join us!

Click here for more details and registration information: www.umich.edu/~wkplace.

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CHOOSE SUCCESS with HRD Courses

Below you'll find links to courses that are coming up in November 2009. Remember, many of our courses can also be customized and brought to your unit.

For further information, visit the new site at: http://www.umich.edu/~hrd.

Upcoming Courses:

Presenting a Professional Image
Dates & Times: Wed.,11/4/09, 8:30 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.

Event Planning: How to Plan a Top-Notch Event
Dates & Times: Fri. 11/6/09, 9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. & Fri. 11/13/09, 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

Proofreading
Dates & Times: Wed.,11/4 & 11/11/09, 1:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.

Prevent, Resolve, Contain: Stopping Conflict Before it Becomes Destructive
Dates & Times: Tue.,11/10/09, 8:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

Developing Exceptional Customer Service Skills
Dates & Times: Wed.,11/11/09, 8:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

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Planning for Your Financial Goals with TIAA-CREF

Act now to schedule a one-to-one meeting with a TIAA-CREF Individual Consultant who can help you plan for your short- and long-term financial goals.

TIAA-CREF Individual Consultants are dedicated to providing you with the most effective advice for your individual circumstances. They do not receive commissions; instead they are compensated through a salary plus incentive program that rewards client service as well as financial results.*

And remember, these meetings are offered at no additional cost to you.

To schedule your consultation at the local TIAA-CREF office: