More than two thousand staff and faculty virtually attended the U-M Work-Life Resource Center's 17th annual Connecting the Dots conference in October 2022. It featured free virtual presentations with useful tips and strategies for nurturing your work-life.
Select the presentation title to expand the panel for more information, including links for any resources and slides. Session recordings have now expired.
October 12, 13, and 14, 2022
Does the world, our workplace, and life suddenly seem turned around? The rules and expectations are changing in every aspect of our lives, and what worked before may not hit the mark. How do we adapt and even thrive as we transition to what’s next? This interactive session explores how we prepare ourselves for the constant flux of life, and how to navigate when the road ahead seems unclear. Together we will look at the characteristics of our current circumstances, how we build resilience, what opportunities are now available, and how we can do more than just survive.
The recording and resources for this session were posted for 30 days, and are no longer available.
This session started at 11:30 to allow attendees of the DEI Summit Community Assembly to join us on Zoom.
Over the past few years, there have been dramatic advances in understanding dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. New techniques are being introduced for the identification and treatment of persons in the earliest stages of memory loss, and even many years before the appearance of symptoms. We will discuss what these results may tell us about how each of us can maintain a healthy brain.
For most of us, the past two years have impacted how, where, and sometimes when we work. As we move towards a new working normal, how do we establish effective ways of staying connected as individuals, teams, and units? Come learn about resources and examples from colleagues on ways to strengthen connections through intention and creativity!
This session, offered by the U-M Benefits Office, is designed to help you prepare for a successful retirement. Covered topics include retirement eligibility, benefits in retirement, retiree contributions to health care, retirement income options, and additional retiree privileges. Because the information in live presentations of this topic can become outdated, a recording of this session is not available. However, there are regularly-updated resources listed below. Including a carefully edited recording of a previous presentation.
Resources
Difficult conversations at work or at home are inevitable, but preparation can turn a dreaded conversation into one that’s tolerable and even productive. In this session, you’ll learn a tried-and-true approach to prepare for and have a difficult conversation, no matter the setting. Real-life stories, videos, and resources will be provided to help you find the right approach to apply in your next conversation.
Resources
Join us for a roundtable discussing kids' and families' reintegration into school and child care during the current phase of the pandemic. Experts in psychology, social work, and child development will be available to answer questions and discuss ideas and strategies for a smooth social, academic, and emotional transition. There will also be opportunities to brainstorm with fellow parents, provide support for one another, discuss challenges, and celebrate victories big and small.
Resources