Thrive UK HR September Newsletter

Issue No. 12

September 2010

Dear ,

We're pleased to kick off this month's Thrive by announcing the October return of the UK @ Work survey of all University staff and faculty. Conducted by UK Work-Life once every five years since 2005, this survey - and the many good things produced as a result of it (details below) - are a big part of President Todd's lasting legacy.

Appropriately enough, October also marks UK's celebration of National Work and Family Month, featuring many free events for our staff and faculty. Please join us next month!

If you have questions or suggestions for this newsletter, simply reply to this e-mail. We welcome your feedback.

Kim Wilson
Associate Vice President
UK Human Resources

Features

Take the UK@Work Survey of All Staff and Faculty in October!

In October, the UK Work-Life Office will conduct an important survey of all UK staff and faculty. Survey questions will cover such topics as benefits, compensation, work environment and family responsibilities. Survey feedback will play a major role in future work-life initiatives and the University's ongoing effort to attract, retain and support talented staff and faculty.

Results from the original UK@Work survey in 2005 led to major work-life enhancements such as the Family Education Program (tuition benefit) and Career Development resources, among others. Employees who complete the survey will have the option to enter a drawing for one of several great prizes, including an Apple iPad, vacation days, 6-month "E" parking pass and UK basketball tickets, among other great prizes.
Your opinion matters! Please complete the UK @ Work survey online when you receive an e-mail invitation on October 5.

To learn more, visit this page.

Help us promote the survey - print the PDF flier and post in your area!

Free National Work and Family Month Events in October
UK Work-Life invites you to attend one or more of the exciting events planned for the University's National Work and Family Month celebration. Featured events include a keynote address and workshops by health educator Jeffry Fawcett, Ph.D., author of the new book Too Much Medicine Not Enough Health. Other special events include the Work-Life Supervisor of the Year Award Luncheon, the UK Women's Forum Annual Conference, and Making the Most of Your Retirement, a special retirement planning conference. Most events are free but require pre-registration. For more information and to register, visit this page.

Eat at SmashBurger, help Kentucky Children's Hospital! On the first Tuesday of every month, starting Tuesday, Oct. 5, the CenterCourt SmashBurger location will donate 10 percent of its gross sales to Kentucky Children's Hospital.

You still have time to earn money with UK Healthtrac Rewards!

Improve your health ... because you want to be there for your loved ones.

Healthtrac is an easy-to-use, confidential, online health improvement program. It gives you an overview of your health status and a customized action plan, plus access to reliable health resources. Any UK employee, retiree, spouse, or sponsored dependent enrolled in a UK health plan is eligible to participate. In addition to the potential health benefits, you may earn up to $180 per fiscal year for participating. Register today and be sure to take the Health Assessment by September 30, 2010. It takes only about 20 minutes, and the health benefits could last a lifetime! For details, visit the website.

Spotlight

UK Parking & Transportation Now Offers Ride Home Express Service for Students, Employees

Beginning in Fall 2010, UK Parking & Transportation will offer motor coach transportation for students and employees traveling to select cities at the beginning and end of major holiday and semester breaks. Major destinations include Chicago and Atlanta, with 29 destination cities in all. Benefits include lower costs versus airlines and faster routes than standard bus travel. For details, visit the website.

Book Signing Features UK School of Music Professor

UK Music Professor Alan Hersh will discuss and sign his book "A Pianist's Dictionary" on Friday, September 24, 7 p.m., at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington Green. Written in an accessible style, "A Pianist's Dictionary" covers the piano world from accompanist to tone and voicing, and helps the reader understand the mysteries of practicing and the challenges of how to find a suitable piano teacher.

Events

Career Success Workshops for September/October

This fall's line-up includes these sessions from Career Development to help staff in applying and interviewing for positions at UK. Workshops are held in 220 Scovell Hall, Suite 2. Questions? Call (859) 257-9416.

Creating Convincing Cover Letters and Correspondence, Sept. 28, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Insider's Viewpoint on Applying for Jobs at UK, guest presenter Sarah Bowes of UK Career Employment, Oct.14, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Interviewing with Confidence, Oct. 25, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
What are Your True Colors?, based on Follow Your True Colors to the Work You Love, by Carolyn Kalil, Oct. 28, 1:30-3:00 p.m.

For details and to register, visit the website.

Start! Moving Fall Challenge

WIN PRIZES by completing UK's Start! Moving Fall Challenge, a free 10-week physical activity challenge for UK employees, retirees, spouses/sponsored dependents. New this fall, TEAMS may register! Register here by Oct. 11. Be sure to drop by the Start! Kickoff Tent, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the sidewalk between W.T. Young Library and Rose Street. For more info, click here.

Weight Loss Matters: Reality-Based Weight Loss
Weight Loss Matters is a 10-week weight-loss program that teaches you how to eat, rather than how to diet. You'll work toward your goals with the help of our registered dietitians. Classes meet once a week either in-person or online. The initial fee is $50, and participants can re-join subsequent sessions for free as long as they make progress. New classes begin September 28, 29, and 30. The registration deadline is September 24. For more information and to register, visit the website.