Thrive Newsletter Header Oct 2009
Issue No. 6 March 2010
Greetings!
March Madness is here! We definitely want to kick off this issue by wishing good luck to our men's and women's basketball teams as their respective NCAA tournaments begin. With that in mind, I hope you'll take a moment to check out a special video message  from Coach John Calipari (see below), who took time out from his incredibly busy schedule to send this exclusive message to our staff and faculty! Cheering on our Wildcats this month reminds us not only of the pride we have in our athletics programs, but also in the university as an amazing and inspiring place to work. Please take a few minutes to review some of the offerings and events highlighted for you below. Go Cats!
 
Kim Wilson
Associate Vice President 
UK Human Resources
Features
 
Convert Temporary Disability (Sick) Leave to Vacation Leave Through April 30
Each year, UK employees have the opportunity to convert accrued Temporary Disability (sick) Leave to Vacation Leave. This year's deadline to submit Temporary Disability Leave Conversion Forms is Friday, April 30. For more details, visit this page
 
Last chance! Take the Healthtrac Health Assessment by March 31!
 
Coach CalipariUK Healthtrac Rewards is an easy-to-use, confidential online health improvement program that offers you an overview of your current health status and feedback specific to you. Any UK employee, retiree, spouse or sponsored dependent enrolled in one of the UK health plans is eligible to participate. 
 
You may earn up to $180 for participating (per fiscal year). From now through March 31, 2010, register and complete the Health Assessment and earn $25 right away. You may choose to do more to earn more. Start making good health pay today! For details,
visit the Web site.  
 
While you're there, don't miss the special video message from Mitch Barnhart, Coach Brooks, and Coach Calipari, exclusively for UK employees. Check it out here
Spotlight
 
News for Caregivers
Would you like to know the latest happenings affecting senior citizens, retirees and those who provide care for older relatives? UK Elder Care's monthly publication offers helpful insights. March 2010 topics include: Free Prescription Drug Card Launched in Kentucky, Caregiver Survival Guide: Twenty Ways to Care for Caregivers and much more.
 
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
UK Work+Life Connections (a free counseling service for UK employees) now offers a support group for grandparents who have assumed primary caregiving responsibilities for their grandchildren. The first meeting was a success! Join this new group for the second meeting to be held on Wednesday, April 6 from 12:10-12:50 p.m. in 220 Scovell Hall, Suite 1. For details and related resources, read our Work+Life Connections monthly column here.

March Cat Mania Madness
UK Work-Life's pet care resources site is highlighting local and national resources and events relating to March Madness special events and National Animal Poison Prevention Week. Visit this page for details.
Events
 
Free Professional Development Training for UK Staff & Faculty
Did you know UK employees can take advantage of dozens of free, instructor-led courses from UK HR Training & Development? Check out just a few of the many upcoming offerings (click on the class title to learn more and to register):
   
Health & Wellness

FREE Grocery Store Tour
Have you ever wished you had your own personal dietitian with you at the grocery store? Your wish has been granted! Join our registered dietitians on a FREE Grocery Store Tour in celebration of National Nutrition Month in March. The experts will be on hand to answer all of your questions about food labels, marketing gimmicks, and making the healthiest choices from the grocery aisles. The tour will be held at Kroger on Chinoe Road, Friday, March 26, Noon-1 p.m. Register online today.   

FREE Health Smart conversations with UK HealthCare Experts 
Join us for FREE Health Smart: Conversations About Your Health. Coming up: "Aches and Pains," presented by Jeffrey Selby, M.D., March 24, from noon-1 p.m., 502A College of Nursing; and "What Your 'Poo' Is Telling You," presented by Lisbeth Selby, M.D., April 28, noon-1 p.m., W.T. Young Library, Gallery Room. Register online today.
 
In a SNAP! FREE Lunch & Learn Series
If you think you are too busy to eat right, then this class is for you! We'll share our strategies for fitting healthy eating into your hectic lifestyle. Join us for "Healthy Eating in a Snap," April 7, 12:10-12:50 p.m., W.T. Young Library, Gallery Room. Register online today
 
Relax! Get a therapeutic chair massage
Therapeutic chair massages are available for only $5 for 10 minutes or $10 for 20 minutes (no refunds). Reservations and advanced payment are required. The next chair massage is April 14, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Gatton College of Business, Room 247. To make your reservation, call (859) 257-9355.
In This Issue
Features: Convert Sick Leave to Vacation Leave, Last Chance to Earn $$
Spotlight: News for Caregivers and more
Events: Free Professional Development Workshops and more
Did you know?
The University of Kentucky employees more than 11,000 regular full-time staff and faculty, with a presence in every Kentucky county.
Financial Tip
Teach your children how to manage money. TheMint Web site is packed with fun activities, games, challenges, quizzes and tests for kids and teens, tips for parents, and entertaining programs and lesson plans for teachers and students. Click here.  
Resource Toolbox

Make the Difference

UK Benefits

UK Elder Care

UK Employee Discount Program

UK Employee & Family Education Programs

UK Employee Relations

UK Health & Wellness

UK HealthCare

UK Parking & Transportation Services

UK REFER (Employee Assistance Program)

UK Training & Development

UK VIP Center

UK Wildcat Wheels Bike Library

UK Work-Life

UK Work+Life Connections (Employee Assistance Program)

About Thrive
Thrive is a monthly e-mail newsletter developed by UK Human Resources.
 
Editors:
Melanie J. Sparks and John Buzzard