Division of Human Resources News
Get Healthy for Life with the Penn Wellness Challenge
If your New Year’s resolution to get healthy has already gone by the wayside—or you’re still struggling to get started—now’s your chance to get moving on your fitness goals this year. Take on the Penn Wellness Challenge and discover a new and healthier you!
Beginning February 20, this eight-week program will help you make small changes to your lifestyle that’ll have a big impact on your health in the long run. Each week you’ll tackle a different challenge that helps you incorporate new, healthy behaviors into your daily routine. These challenges include eating a healthy breakfast, trying new exercise activities, and adding fruits and vegetables to your meals.
At the end of each week, you’ll record your results. For each challenge you successfully complete, you’ll earn a chance to win one of three exciting raffle prizes: an iPod nano, an iPod touch or an iPad 2. If you complete them all, you’ll have earned eight chances to win a prize!
We’ll help you stay motivated along the way with weekly emails to guide you through every challenge.
Are you ready for the Penn Wellness Challenge? For complete details and to register, click here or contact Human Resources at suzsmith@upenn.edu.
Administrative Professionals: Gain an Edge in Your Field
Kim Clark was determined to figure out ways to better support Penn's Office of Gift Planning. As administrative assistant, she wanted to develop new skills tailored to her job and learn how other administrative professionals at Penn managed their careers.
That's when Kim enrolled in the Penn Certificate Program in Administrative Excellence. Now two years later, she's able to successfully tackle any project that comes her way.
"I knew that a professional development program customized for Penn staff would be impressive, and I wanted to meet and learn from other people in my field," Kim said.
By the end of the program, she'd mastered the strategies that help administrative professionals excel—like excellent communication skills, time and stress management techniques, a knack for organizing multiple projects and the ability to work well with others.
"The Penn Certificate Program in Administrative Excellence was invaluable to me. I learned a wealth of information and really enjoyed the opportunity to evaluate my skills and apply what I learned to my own professional goals and needs," Kim said.
The program also helps you develop your professional network and teaches you how to succeed in a decentralized environment like Penn's.
Ready to take your administrative performance to a higher level? The Penn Certificate Program in Administrative Excellence is a multi-session program that begins on February 29 and ends on April 27. Click here for complete details and to register.
Are You Adding a New Child to Your Family?
Bringing home a new child is a special time in every parent's life—and we're here to support you along the way. Use the steps below to help you figure out how to take time off for the birth or adoption of your child.
Find out if you're eligible for Family and Medical Leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows either parent to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family or medical reasons, including the birth or adoption of a child. But you have to meet certain eligibility requirements first.
Calculate how much paid time off you're entitled to. When you take leave, you're required to use your own accumulated time off to start.
If you're pregnant, you'll use your sick leave, vacation leave and short-term disability leave (if applicable) in that order. Keep in mind that short-term disability can only be used for medical necessity. You're typically eligible for up to eight weeks of sick or short-term disability leave in the case of a normal delivery and ten weeks for a Caesarean Section. If you exhaust your paid leave, any additional time off—up to the 12-week maximum allowed under FMLA—is unpaid.
If you're the father or it's an adoption, you're entitled to three days of sick leave before using your vacation leave. Once you've exhausted your vacation leave, any additional FMLA time is unpaid.
Notify your supervisor. Once you've decided how much time off you'll take, let your supervisor and Human Resources know at least 30 days in advance. Just fill out and submit the following forms:
If you'd like more information on parental leave from Penn, click here or contact Human Resources at fmla@hr.upenn.edu.
If Your Child's School Closes, Where Can You Turn for Help?
As reported by various media outlets, emotions have been running high for families throughout the Philadelphia area since the recent announcement that dozens of Catholic schools will close or merge this June.
If you’re one of the many who will be affected by these changes, read on to learn about resources Penn offers that can support you during this difficult time. We also invite you to join us on February 15 for Empowering Your Child to Manage Change, a learning session led by experts from Penn’s Employee Assistance Program.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-888-321-4433, the EAP offers free, confidential counseling and referral services as well as one-on-one coaching and support for your personal and professional life issues. You and your family members can arrange for individual or family counseling sessions in your neighborhood or on campus.
Worklife resources. Work and Family Benefits provides free and confidential online and phone information and support for your everyday needs—from childcare solutions to parenting help to education concerns. Assistance is available all day, every day by phone at 1-888-321-4433 or online. Work and Family Benefits can help you find short- and long-term care options if your child’s school closes.
Questions? Contact Penn Human Resources at qowl@hr.upenn.edu or 215-573-2471.