myHR: November 13, 2013

A Quick and Easy Way to Wellness

“It’s quick and easy, and you get your results instantly. It’s important to know your numbers.”

That’s what Jennine Groce-Martin, Community Liaison Coordinator in Penn’s Division of Geriatric Medicine, says about Penn’s Be in the Know wellness program. This is the second year that Jennine has participated in the program and she thinks it has a lot of value for Penn faculty and staff. She notes, “It’s wonderful when employers provide health screenings and education to employees. Lots of employers don’t offer that, and you should take advantage of it when you can.”

Be in the Know is helping faculty and staff better understand their health and how to maintain or improve it. Now through December 6, biometric screenings are being held on campus so you can get your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol measured. And if you complete both the screening and an online Health Assessment (which we’ll roll out in January), you’ll receive a $100 incentive award. The Be in the Know program is free and completely confidential; Penn will never see your personal health information. You must be benefits-eligible to participate.

Jennine says that even if you’re in good health, it’s important to participate. “It reinforces what I’m already doing so I can continue to watch what I eat, watch my stress. It supports those good behaviors and lets me know I’m still on point,” she explains.

More than 3,000 faculty and staff have already signed up for this year’s biometric screenings. This calendar provides an overview of all the sessions so you can find the most convenient location and time for your schedule. Then, visit our Event Registration system to register (click under “Browse by Category” to choose the Health Screenings Week with the session that works best for you).

The most important thing Jennine thinks you should know about getting your screening: “It wasn’t time consuming at all, and it’s easy to find a location near you since they’re holding the screenings at so many places on campus. Everything was so well coordinated. The whole experience probably only took 15 minutes for me all together!”

If you prefer, you can submit results from screenings conducted by your physician. For complete details about the program, visit the Be in the Know website.

5 Tips for Retirement Planning

If you develop a sound plan for your financial future, you can approach retirement with confidence. Penn’s retirement plans offer a great opportunity to start saving now. Here are five tips for making the most of Penn’s retirement plans:

1. Get started now—If you’re not already participating in Penn’s retirement plans, what are you waiting for? It’s one of the best ways to set aside money for your retirement. You can contribute on a pre-tax or Roth basis, depending on your tax preferences. And the sooner you start contributing, the sooner the power of compound interest can help your account start growing.
2. Make the most of Penn’s match—If you’re eligible for Penn’s matching contributions, make the most of them. Penn matches dollar-for-dollar up to 5% of your salary. If you don’t take advantage of that, it’s like turning down free money!
3. Gradually increase your savings rate—Start by saving what you can, then build from there. Remember, if you save on a pre-tax basis, the impact on your paycheck isn’t as much as you may think. Try gradually increasing your savings rate over time, taking advantage of times you find yourself with more disposable income (e.g., you paid off your car or got a raise).
4. Maximize your contributions if possible—You can contribute up to $17,500 per year to your retirement savings in both 2013 and 2014 (based on the annual IRS contribution limits). You may be eligible for additional catch-up contributions if you’re age 50 or over or have been employed at Penn for 15 or more years.
5. Meet with a retirement counselor—Both of Penn’s retirement vendors (TIAA-CREF and Vanguard) offer free one-on-one retirement counseling to help you meet your financial goals. They can help you find the right investment mix and get your retirement planning on track.

For more information on how to save for retirement at Penn, click here.

The Secret to Getting What You Want

What’s the secret to getting others to do what you want? We try to persuade people to do things all the time. You might try to get an employee to perform better, convince your boss to listen to your great idea, or coax your children into putting more effort into their schoolwork. No matter what it is, how do you get people to see things your way?

Join us on February 5 and 6 for a two-day program that can help you learn persuasion techniques and build your influence. AMA's Expanding Your Influence: Understanding the Psychology of Persuasion will explore what truly prompts people to say yes or no, and show you how to use that knowledge to get the outcomes you want.

You’ll be able to apply what you learn in any number of business or personal interactions, from managing, mentoring, and negotiating to conversations, writing, and presentations. In addition, you’ll discover how to choose the best persuasion principle for any given situation and avoid being manipulated by others.

Your department will be charged a nominal fee of $75 for this course. Click here for more information and to register.