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myHR: January 22, 2014

Coming Soon: Next Steps for Be in the Know

Last fall, Penn launched the 2013-14 Be in the Know wellness campaign to help faculty and staff learn more about your health and be rewarded for it. It’s almost time to take the next—and final—step in this year’s campaign!

Details on how to complete this year’s Be in the Know program will be sent to you shortly by email, home mailer, and in upcoming HR newsletters. In the meantime, here’s a brief preview of what’s coming.

As you may know, there are two parts to this year’s program: 1) submit biometric screening results and 2) complete an online health assessment. If you complete them both by the program deadlines, you’ll receive a $100 cash incentive award (less applicable payroll taxes) in your last paycheck in April 2014.

The first step in the program was to get a biometric screening. Nearly 5,200 faculty and staff took advantage of the campus screenings we offered over a 6-week period last fall.

The final step is to complete an online health assessment. Soon, we’ll launch a new wellness portal through StayWell, where you can complete the brief health assessment. It focuses on your overall health and health habits and gives you an instant, personalized report. Once you complete the assessment, take some time to explore the many useful health tools and information available through the portal.

Rest assured that your screening results, health assessment, and everything on the StayWell portal is maintained confidentially. Penn will never see your individual information.

Active, full- or part-time benefits-eligible faculty and staff can participate. For more information, visit the Be in the Know website, or contact us at 215-573-2471 or qowl@hr.upenn.edu.

STEP UP to Leadership

The change from team player to team leader can be tough for aspiring managers, but the STEP UP program can prepare you for the challenge.

According to the bestselling book The Leadership Pipeline, the transition from individual contributor to first line manager is the most difficult rung on the management ladder. New managers need to shift from “doing work” on their own to getting work done through others. They also have to change their values to embrace—rather than just tolerate—making time for others, planning and coaching. Many up-and-coming managers don’t have the chance to fully prepare for these critical adjustments.

Fortunately, Penn staff members have a unique opportunity to develop the right leadership skills for future management roles. The STEP UP program, a seven-part pre-supervisory course, gives Penn staff the information, tools and perspective they need to make a successful transition to management.

STEP UP’s flexible schedule is designed to fit your individual needs. The next program entry sessions are scheduled for February 11 and May 21. You can complete the following five core courses and corresponding online modules in any order you’d like before taking the final class. Classroom sessions are held in Penn HR’s Learning & Education Department at 3624 Market Street. To enroll, log in to Knowledge Link, enter “STEP UP” in the Search Catalog box, then select STEP UP Introduction: First Steps to Excellence. When you register, your department will be charged a $150 fee for the entire program.

For more program details, including session dates, download the STEP UP FAQ sheet.

Grow Your Supervisory Skills this Spring

Spring is a time of growth, and the 2014 spring term is the perfect time to cultivate your supervisory skills. We have a full line up of programs to help you successfully manage your staff and achieve your department’s goals.

As a supervisor, you’re relied on to encourage and motivate your staff to accomplish specific objectives. You need to be able to plan and organize, delegate and direct.

Communication is another critical skill. It’s essential to understand how to negotiate effectively, manage your staff’s performance throughout the year, and be comfortable giving both praise and constructive feedback.

Join us for the following courses to learn all of these skills and more:


Register now! Visit Knowledge Link for more information on these upcoming programs.