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Greetings!
With the end of September fast approaching, this issue of Thrive focuses on some important upcoming deadlines, events and special opportunities for UK staff and faculty:
- Healthtrac Rewards deadline
Complete your online health assessment questionnaire on or before September 30 (through UK's wellness partner, Staywell) to maximize your annual UK health plan rebate amount. - UK @ Work town hall meetings
Robynn Pease, director of UK's Work-Life Office, will host a series of meetings in October to present some findings from the 2010 UK @ Work survey of UK staff and faculty, talk about follow-up steps and explain how you can offer feedback and ideas. - National Work & Family Month/Retirement Conference
Hundreds of UK employees attend one or more of our great Work & Family month events. This year's lineup includes the popular full-day retirement conference, plus a keynote address by Joe Labianca, Ph.D., of UK's Gatton College of Business and Economics. Dr. Labianca's talk will offer some fascinating insights on how gossip in the workplace might not be such a bad thing, after all!
This issue also highlights a diverse array of cultural and professional development events available exclusively for UK staff and faculty. I hope you'll show your support for work-life at UK - and take advantage of our great learning opportunities - by attending one or more of our upcoming events.
Kim Wilson
Chief Human Resources Officer
UK Human Resources
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Features
UK employees (and their spouses) enrolled in UK health plans can maximize their annual rewards (up to $180 per eligible participant) first completing the Healthtrac Rewards online assessment/questionnaire. You must complete this step by September 30 to maximize your annual Healthtrac Rewards rebate.
Step 2: Follow one of Healthtrac's customized phone- or web-based programs (don't worry, the online system will prompt you to do this).
Step 3: Complete a simple healthy activity tracker online each month to earn credits. 
Don't miss out.
Complete step 1 today to start earning your rebate.
* Participants earn up to $180 per fiscal year. Percentage based
on UK-HMO and UK-PPO employee only (single) premiums.
Laptops Available for Loan
to Eligible UK Employees
 Working to further your education? Would a laptop help you accomplish your academic and professional goals? If the answers to these questions is yes, you may be eligible to receive a laptop loan through the Staff Laptop Loan program administered by HR Training and Development. Please visit the Laptop Loan Program website for additional eligibility criteria information and an application.
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 Spotlight
Celebrate National Work and Family Month in October, with free events including our popular retirement conference
 UK Work-Life will be presenting a variety of exciting events throughout the month. Featured events include a look into the value of gossip in the workplace with Joe Labianca, Ph.D., of the Gatton College of Business and Economics; the popular retirement planning conference; and the 4th annual Work-Life Supervisor of the Year awards luncheon. Our office will also host special town hall events focused on results AND action items related to the 2010 UK@Work survey. For more information, including event registration, visit the 2011 National Work and Family Month website. We look forward to seeing you in October!
UK@Work Town Hall meetings focus on employee survey results and action plans
 You answered. UK is listening. Nearly 8,000 UK staff and faculty participated in the 2010 UK@Work survey late last year. This survey, conducted by UK's Office of Work-Life, covered a wide variety of topics related to our work environments, flexibility, benefits and more. Employee feedback provided via the survey will help shape staff and faculty initiatives in months and years ahead.
But the survey was just the beginning! Please make plans to attend one of our town hall meetings to learn more from Robynn Pease, director of UK's Office of Work-Life. You'll also have the opportunity to offer input and ask questions.
See links below to save event to your Outlook calendar: When you see the prompt after clicking on "add to calendar," click the "Open" button, "Allow" then the "Save and Close" button on the Outlook calendar event.
Note: Attendees will get a full preview of survey results and top opportunities before UK Work-Life publishes a report online in late October. We look forward to seeing you there!
Team up to Start! Moving and Win Prizes
 Ready for a little healthy competition? Get EVERY UK employee in your department to participate and get moving and win a prize. The challenge runs from October 5 -December 13. Join the Start! Moving Fall Challenge here.
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Events
Making the Most of Your Retirement Conference October 12
Space is limited: register online starting September 26
Save the date for Making the Most of Your Retirement: The New Reality on October 12, 2011. Conference participants may choose from a variety of sessions, attend a luncheon and keynote address, and be entered in a drawing to win prizes from conference exhibitors. Email Melanie Justice to sign up to receive an email when registration opens on September 26.Visit the conference website for more information.
Understanding Muslim Culture workshop offered by HR Training and Development Sept. 22
In a decade where great misunderstandings and stereotypes circulate through the media and society at large, it is crucial that efforts be made to move beyond stiff stereotypes and ill informed judgments.This workshop will explore Muslim culture and provide participants with information and techniques applicable to a campus setting for an informed and inclusive community. Click here to to register or contact Marietta Watts at 257-9429.
Basic Computer Skills Workshop
New! This workshop focuses on basic computer skills is tailored toward employees who would like to learn basic terminology, parts, and functions of the computer. The Basic Computer Skills Workshops will be offered on the third Wednesday of each month at the Hospital Learning Center in room H31A. For more information, please visit the course description page or contact Enterprise Learning Center at (859) 257-9226.
FREE Lunch & Learn: Handling Stress
Learn the definition of stress, how your body reacts to it, how it affects your health, and how physical activity may be used to combat its negative health implications. Join us for "Stress: Can You Handle It?" Sept. 27, 12:10-12:50 p.m., 127 Wethington. FREE. Register now.
WOW! FREE Health Screening
Wellness On Wheels (WOW) is a FREE mobile health screening. Your 20-minute appointment will include tests for: cholesterol (fasting optional), triglycerides and glucose, height, weight, blood pressure, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. Our expert staff will be on-hand for a review of your results. Check out the fall schedule and make your WOW appointment today.
FREE Health Smart Conversation: Balancing Work + Life
Learn about balancing work and life, including the stressors that challenge us and ways to meet and overcome those obstacles. Join us for "Balancing Work + Life," presented by Ann Bassoni, Oct. 18, 12:10-12:50 p.m., 102 Mining & Minerals. FREE. Register now.
Unwind with a Therapeutic Chair Massage
The UK Health & Wellness Program makes therapeutic chair massages available at various campus locations throughout the year. The cost is just $5 for 10 minutes or $10 for 20 minutes. Reservations and advanced payment are required. The next chair massage is Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 109 Dickey Hall. Call 257-9355 for reservations.
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More News You Can Use
This month's featured news from our colleagues across the University:
This month, we're proud to share recent insights from UK's Institute for Workplace Innovation (iWin). The mission of iWin is all about sharing knowledge to help organizations create work environments that boost productivity, employee health, and work-life fit. iWin's research team is informed by theory and guided by organizations' need for innovative, practical solutions. Check out the recent iWin Thinkmail newsletter here.
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Financial Tip of the Month
It's getting cold outside! Check out theses energy saving (and bill cutting) tips: click here
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Retirement Savings Corner
Take advantage of free one-on-one retirement savings consultations with TIAA-CREF or Fidelity.
UK staff and faculty can benefit from meeting with their retirement carrier periodically to review their investments, discuss extra voluntary retirement contributions, obtain retirement illustrations and receive other financial advice. Request your appointment today - only a few dates and times remaining this month! Visit this page for details.
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About Thrive
Thrive is a monthly e-mail newsletter developed by UK Human Resources.
Editors: Melanie J. Sparks
John Buzzard |
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