myHR: September 6, 2023

For more information about retirement, visit the Retiree Benefits webpage.

Get Ready to Power Up

Whether you work at an office, at home, or another location, the structure of your workspace is key to being productive. An effective workspace and healthy habits can help you stay focused and feel energized and in control. If you are looking for ways to enhance your work environment while staying active, join the Productivity Power-Up Penn Challenge from September 18 through September 30. Registration begins on September 6 and is open to all Be in the Know participants who are enrolled on the Virgin Pulse platform. 

The Productivity Power-Up Penn Challenge consists of tracking steps to reach five stages, each with a different wellness topic related to productivity. You and your teammates will receive tips and advice on setting up your workspace, making smart food choices, optimizing your work style, taking care of your mind and recharging, and exercising your body. As your team makes your way through the challenge by logging steps you will unlock and get access to the next stage, each providing tips on a few related topics. For example, in the “Make Smart Food Choices” stage you can learn how prepping meals for workdays can help you better manage your dietary needs and your budget. 

As part of the 2023-2024 Be in the Know campaign, this two-week Penn Challenge allows you to create and join virtual teams, then compete to see which team can log the most steps over the course of the challenge. 

Joining the challenge is easy. Participants enrolled on the Virgin Pulse platform will receive an email from Penn Healthy You with details about the challenge and a reminder to register. Once you register, go to the Challenge page on the platform and follow the prompts to join a team. 

You can also create your own team by following these steps:

1. Navigate to the Challenge page on the Virgin Pulse platform.
2. Toggle to “Create a Team.”
3. Choose a team name and photo you want to represent your squad.
4. Invite friends to join your team or allow anyone to join.
5. Click “Create Your Team” to get started.

No more than five members per team are allowed. Once you join or create a team, make sure you have your device or mobile app connected to the platform for ease of logging steps, although you can manually upload steps. Then use the challenge chat to inspire your team members and rack up your steps. 

You can earn a range of points that contribute to earning rewards (up to the $300 per year maximum plus VIP status) for completing activities throughout the Penn Challenge, like joining or creating a team and tracking at least once a week. If you reach the final stage of the challenge, you and your teammates will earn another 1,000 points, plus bragging rights. For the 2023-2024 Be in the Know campaign year, you’ll earn points for completing any qualifying activities from this year’s Ways to Earn list. However, you won’t earn any rewards until you complete and receive credit for a biometric screening, using any of the four available options.

For more information about the Productivity Power-Up Penn Challenge, visit the Virgin Pulse platform. If you’d like to join the challenge but haven’t been participating in the Be in the Know campaign and registered on the platform yet, visit https://join.virginpulse.com/penn and join the fun.  

In addition to the Productivity Power-Up Challenge, there are also other ways for you to stay active, rack up steps, and earn rewards this fall. Check out some of the Campus Rec Fitness Classes and our Wellness Walks. 

While you’re planning your physical activities, don’t forget to take advantage of the Penn Campus Recreation membership discount. For details on deep savings, read the “Powerful Fall Campus Rec Discounts” article in the August 23 myHR newsletter. 

For details about the 2023-2024 Be in the Know campaign, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/beintheknow.

Support for Alzheimer's Caregivers

If you’re providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, not only are you not alone. You’re part of a growing community of caregivers. During World Alzheimer’s Month, organizations are calling for more education and support for the rising number of people facing this incurable brain disorder.

As many as 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, a figure that is projected to increase to 1.38 million by 2050. While aging is a risk factor, Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses are not a normal part of growing old. As people with Alzheimer’s slowly lose memory and thinking skills, most of the caregiving responsibilities are borne by family members and friends. Each year, more than 16 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for family and friends with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions. Many perform this labor of love while working full time and parenting children and teens.

Penn encourages caregivers to invest an hour at Alzheimer’s and What It Means as a Caregiver, a virtual information session on September 27 from 10 am to 11 am. Join representatives from the Penn Bright Horizons Eldercare Program to learn about supportive resources for benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdocs.

While all care work can be demanding—as well as rewarding—the long-term stress associated with Alzheimer’s and other causes of dementia pose unique challenges. Alzheimer’s and What It Means as a Caregiver focuses on giving caregivers space for their own wellness as they manage the care of their family member or friend.

The information session covers Bright Horizons benefits and services for faculty and staff with a range of adult care needs, including the Backup Care Program.

Penn’s Backup Care Program

Benefits-eligible faculty and staff have access to subsidized backup care for adults aged 18 and older in your immediate or extended family, whether or not they live with you. Adult care services can be provided at the family member’s location, even if it’s in another city.

Self-care is available in the event you need assistance yourself.

To register, call 877-BH-CARES or go online to the easy-to-use Bright Horizons Portal and enter your Penn ID, first and last name to create your Penn Bright Horizons account. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance.

Penn’s Bright Horizons Portal also gives you access to caregiver search services, including background checks, and personalized care coaching.

Register for Alzheimers and What It Means as a Caregiver to explore your options and discover sources of support for your caregiving journey. 

To learn more, visit the Caring for Your Family webpages and check out these additional resources:

Penn Employee Assistance Program

Call: 1-866-799-2329
Schedule an EAP appointment through Penn Cobalt
Email:  EAPinfo@healthadvocate.com

Penn Benefits Solution Center and Health Advocate

1-866-799-2329

Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) Policy and Application Process

Workday Time Off and Leave Tip Sheets

Penn Memory Center Programs and Services

• Virtual Caregiving Forums
• Time Together
• Caregiver Classes

Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter

Alzheimer's Association Education Center

Managing Your Manager

Whether you’re in an entry-level role or you’re a seasoned professional, one of the most important workplace relationships you have is between you and your supervisor. To make the most of this collaboration, you need management skills just like your boss. Learn the basics at the virtual Managing Up course on Thursday, September 28 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.

Managing Up explores ways to increase your ability to recognize your manager's perspective and meet their expectations. You’ll also learn how to fine tune your communication skills to optimize your work with your manager, including providing and receiving feedback.

Although you may not call all the shots in your position, managing up helps you find opportunities to define your goals. It doesn’t require mindreading or manipulation. Instead, it’s about building trust. When you practice managing up, you can reshape interactions with your manager while taking greater responsibility and accountability for your success at work. You can accomplish more for yourself, your supervisor, and the entire team.

To register for Managing Up, log in to Workday Learning.

For more professional development programs, visit the Learn & Grow pages.

Healthy Meals: Freezer Bean & Cheese Burrito

This simple but versatile burrito recipe from Eating Well gives processed frozen foods some serious competition. They’re packed with protein, fiber, and spiced to your taste. Freeze up a batch for meal breaks and back-to-school lunches.

Click here to send us your healthy recipes and tips.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups chopped grape tomatoes
• 4 scallions, chopped
• ¼ cup chopped pickled jalapeño peppers
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 (15 ounce) cans low-sodium pinto beans, rinsed
• 4 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 8 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas, at room temperature

Directions:

1. Combine tomatoes, scallions, jalapeños, and cilantro in a medium bowl.
2. Mash beans with chili powder and cumin in a large bowl with a fork or potato masher until almost smooth. Add cheese and the tomato mixture and stir until combined. Spread about 1/2 cup of the filling mixture on the bottom third of each tortilla. Roll snugly, tucking in the ends as you go. Wrap each burrito in heavy-duty foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
3. To heat in the microwave: Unwrap a burrito and place on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a paper towel and microwave on high until steaming hot throughout, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes.
4. To heat over a campfire or grill: Place foil-wrapped burrito on a cooking grate over a medium to medium-hot fire. Cook, turning once or twice, until steaming hot throughout, 5 to 10 minutes if partially thawed, up to 15 minutes if frozen.

Meet With a Registered Dietitian Today!

• One-on-One, virtual sessions you can schedule at any time that works for you
• 100% covered under many insurance plans
• Available to spouses and dependents

Fill out the Ramp Health Nutrition Counseling Sign Up Form or call 800-484-7720. 

Did You Know: Penn Transit Service Updates

Penn Transit has introduced changes for the fall. Penn Bus North, a new fixed-route pilot service, travels west on Walnut Street between 30th and 48th Streets, and north to Powelton Avenue with dedicated transit stops. The Penn Bus schedule begins one hour earlier: All bus routes now operate Monday through Friday, 4 p.m.-midnight. Follow the bus routes in real-time in the PennTransit Mobile app. Penn’s Evening Shuttle service new hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 p.m.-3 a.m., and weekends 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Requests for shuttles can be made via the PennTransit Mobile app.