myHR Archives
myHR: January 17, 2018
You’re Just Steps Away from Be in the Know Bonus Action Points
It’s no secret that being active is good for your health. When you move more, you stay energized, maintain strength, relieve stress and reduce the risk of heart disease. Being active doesn’t have to mean going to the gym every day or running through a forest. In fact, research finds that walking 10,000 steps a day meets the recommended goal for daily activity.
That’s why Penn offers the StayWell™ Million Steps Challenge, an engaging program that lets you discover how many steps you take and take charge of your fitness. The Million Steps Challenge is a qualified Be in the Know Bonus Action worth 20 points.*
A million steps is closer than you think. Most Americans, on average, travel a little more than 5,000 steps a day, which adds up to 1.5 million steps per year. Once you start to see that reaching one million steps is possible, it builds confidence to take on the challenge.
Track your progress, earn badges along the way, connect with friends and participate in weekly mini challenges to achieve your steps goal.
To begin the Million Steps Challenge:
1. Log on to penn.staywell.com.
2. Select the Million Steps Challenge tile.
3. Connect your tracking device to log steps automatically or choose to manually enter activity.
To make things easier, we invite you to join our monthly Wellness Walks. The next walk takes place in the Palestra on January 19 from noon to 1 p.m. Register today.
Where will your steps take you? Join the Million Steps Challenge to find out!
*Bonus Actions are health-related action steps to earn additional points and incentives through Be in the Know. You’ll find a variety of options on campus, at home, and online through StayWell™. Be in the Know participants can earn up to an additional $200 in Bonus Actions incentives, plus a special gift opportunity this year – in addition to the $100 for completing your Core Actions. Bonus Actions may be completed and points earned at any time during the campaign year (September 1, 2017 – August 31, 2018). However, cash incentives will not be awarded until you complete the first two Core Actions (biometric screening and online health assessment). For complete Be in the Know details, visit.www.hr.upenn.edu/beintheknow.
Faculty and Staff Celebrate Family Nights with Penn Basketball
It may be cold outside, but the Palestra will heat up in February and March when Penn Men’s and Women’s basketball teams take the court on Penn Faculty and Staff Family Nights with Penn Basketball.
The Division of Human Resources and Penn Athletics invite benefits-eligible faculty and staff to cheer on the teams and enjoy Family Night ticket and concession discounts. On Friday, February 2 the Penn Men’s basketball team will face Brown at 7 p.m. The Penn Women’s team will go up against Yale on Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m. Family Night ticket prices for Men’s Basketball vs Brown are $6.50 for adults and $6.50 for youth. Tickets for Women’s Basketball vs Yale are $3.50 for adults and $3.50 for youth.
Family Night tickets include discounted game admission compliments of Penn Athletics and a $5 concession coupon redeemable for food and beverage compliments of Human Resources. Eligible faculty and staff can purchase a maximum of four discounted tickets.
Order tickets online at www.hr.upenn.edu/familynights or at the Penn Athletics Ticket Office located at Weightman Hall, 235 S. 33rd Street between Walnut and Spruce. Tickets will be on sale until the Monday before each game, January 29 and February 26, respectively.
To get your $5 complimentary concession coupon(s), present your game ticket and your Penn Faculty/Staff ID to the Human Resources table outside the entrance to Section 208 the night of the game. A Human Resources representative will give you one coupon per ticket for up to four tickets. Pickup will close at the end of the first quarter.
Go Quaker Hoops!
New Year, New Beneficiaries?
Did you welcome a new family member into your household in 2017? If there was a significant change in your family, such as a marriage, divorce, remarriage, or the addition of a new child to your household, you’ll want to make sure the proper people are named as beneficiaries in your Penn life insurance and retirement plan records.
Get it done with the beneficiary checklist
If you’ve been putting off this task, you’re not alone, but it only takes minutes to make sure your retirement plan and life insurance beneficiary designations are up to date. Simply download Penn’s beneficiary checklist so you have everything you need to get started and get finished!
They’re worth it
Knowing that your beneficiaries are on file with your life insurance and retirement plan providers will pay off in peace of mind. In the event money has to be distributed to your loved ones, you can rest assured it will be done according to your wishes.
By properly designating beneficiaries, you’ll avoid adding financial difficulties to your family’s burdens. If you don’t properly designate beneficiaries, your retirement plan or insurance policy money may get tied up or be distributed in ways you don’t want.
Need more information?
For life insurance issues, contact the Penn Benefits Center at 1-888-PENNBEN (1-888-736-6236), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
For retirement planning assistance, contact Penn’s Retirement Call Center at 1-877-PENN-RET (1-877-736-6738), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
You can also receive free financial and legal counseling through Penn’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-321-4433.
First-Day Readiness
You can help newly hired staff be ready to contribute from their very first day at Penn by following just a few recommended steps. These best practices were gathered by Penn’s HCM Project Service Delivery team from various Schools and Centers to improve the onboarding process for new hires.Start Date
Choose a start date that allows sufficient processing time. Take into account school, center, and department approvals; background checks; and an adequate notice period from the current employer.
Keep in Touch
Upon completion of approvals and background checks, call the staff member and extend a warm welcome.
Complete Forms in Advance
Completing minimum required forms in advance facilitates creation of a payroll record for the new staff member. The department can accomplish this in two ways:
• Encourage the staff member to make an appointment to meet with the payroll administrator at least one working day in advance of the start date. During that meeting have the staff member provide the following:
o Signed offer letter (have a copy on hand if you have not yet received the signed letter)
o Personal information form (if applicable)
o W-4
o Voluntary Self ID
• Alternatively, the hiring manager may provide the staff member with these forms and a return address. The staff member may complete the forms and return them by mail (USPS) to the payroll administrator. Emailing forms with sensitive information, such as birth date and social security numbers, is not recommended as email is not considered a secure method of communication.
Complete Payroll Record
The payroll administrator completes the payroll record in advance of the start date, enabling the staff member to obtain a PennCard and PennKey on the first day of work. This facilitates getting an email address, registering for direct deposit, having access to benefits enrollment in a timely manner, etc.
I-9 Compliance
Ensure the staff member completes Part 2 of the I-9 with the School/Center/Department I-9 administrator on the first day of employment. This is critical for timely payroll record completion and benefits enrollment access.
Orientation and Onboarding
Visit Penn’s Orientation and Onboarding web page for detailed information about:
• Obtaining an identification card at the PennCard Center
• Setting up a PennKey username and password
• Weekly New Staff Orientation sessions
• Training
• Pay and benefits
• Finding your way around campus
• Penn traditions
• University holidays and Special Winter Vacation
Whether you’re starting a new job or welcoming a new staff member to your team this year, these tips and resources will make first days at Penn go smoothly.
Healthy Meals: Baked Trout
Sweet tomatoes, onions, and lime make this tasty and colorful trout a dinner delight.
Find the recipe here.
Click here to send us your healthy recipes and tips.
Did You Know? Penn Has Indoor Monthly Wellness Walks
If getting into shape is one of your New Year’s resolutions, then Penn has a fitness activity for you. From January through April, Penn will hold its monthly wellness walks inside the Palestra at 223 S. 33rd Street. The next wellness walk, co-sponsored by Human Resources and Center for Public Health Initiatives, will take place on January 19, 12-1 p.m. Register today, and don’t forget to bring your sneakers and a co-worker!