myHR: May 15, 2024

Be in the Know 2023-2024 Ends Soon

Penn’s Be in the Know 2023-2024 campaign year will soon come to a close! Don’t miss your opportunity to support your health and well-being, plus earn up to $300 in Pulse Cash rewards through Virgin Pulse and special recognition as a VIP.

Be in the Know is open to all benefits-eligible staff and faculty, and postdoctoral researchers and fellows eligible for the Penn Postdoc Benefits Plan. If you are not enrolled on the Virgin Pulse platform, get started today at https://join.virginpulse.com/penn. All 2023-2204 campaign activities must be completed by June 30, 2024. There are many activities you can still do before the campaign year ends, including: 

• Biometric screenings – This is the first step towards earning rewards and the only activity required to receive Pulse Cash rewards this campaign year. Make sure you complete a biometric screening one time between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Once completed, you will earn your first $50 in Pulse Cash and can earn up to an additional $250 in rewards. Missed the on-campus screenings? Here are alternate options to earn screening credit for 2023-2024:
  • Submit screening results from your healthcare provider obtained between July 1, 2023 or later.Download the Consent to Release Results Form, then follow the instructions to submit your confidential results to Health Advocate. 
  • Two Labcorp options are available through Virgin Pulse. Sign into the Virgin Pulse platform, go to the Programs tab and “Biometric Screenings Options, 2023-2024” page for the order links. Click the “Start Now” button and choose from: 
    • Labcorp Voucher Program (download a screening script)
    • Home Test Kit (receive a screening kit to complete at home)
      
      For all options, screening credit and your results will automatically be forwarded to Virgin Pulse on your behalf. Please allow 2-3 weeks for credit and rewards to appear on the Virgin Pulse platform.To earn rewards for the 2023-2024 campaign year, we recommend completing your screening orders and/or submissions by June 1, 2024.
• Qualifying Activities – Once the biometric screening has been completed, you are eligible to receive earned rewards up to an additional $250 by completing a range of qualifying activities from the 2023-2024 Ways to Earn list. As points accumulate, you earn rewards at certain point thresholds: 
  • Reach 5,000 total points to earn another $50 (Level 1 reward)
  • Reach 15,000 total points to earn another $75 (Level 2 reward)
  • Reach 30,000 total points to earn another $125 (Level 3 reward)                
  • Reach 50,000 total points to earn VIP special recognition (Level 4 reward)
    
    You must also complete a biometric screening to earn VIP status. All confirmed Be in the Know VIPs for the 2023-2024 campaign year will be notified by Virgin Pulse email by the end of August.

Redeem Your Rewards

With Virgin Pulse’s rewards program, you can redeem (i.e., “spend”) your earned rewards right on the platform, choosing from gift cards, fitness items, and charitable donations. To redeem your rewards*, sign in at https://join.virginpulse.com/penn. Click the Home button on the main page then select Rewards from the drop-down menu. On the Rewards page, click the Spend tab to bring up three categories of reward options:

• Shop the Store (buy select fitness items)
• Get a Gift Card (buy a VISA gift card or a card from available retailers)
• Donate it (make a charitable contribution)

Follow the prompts to choose the amount you wish to spend from your available rewards. Be sure to click Submit to confirm your purchase. A confirmation email will be sent to the address you used to register on the Virgin Pulse platform. You will need this confirmation email for gift card purchases and charitable donations. 

Pulse Cash and Rewards Reminders

Here are a couple of reminders about how points and rewards in the 2023-2024 campaign year are managed in the 2024-2025 campaign year. All unspent Pulse Cash rewards will roll over on July 1, 2024 and be available next campaign year. 

Points earned this year will not roll over. Your points balance will reset to zero on July 1, 2024.If you have questions, please contact the Virgin Pulse Member Services, using the Support buttons on the platform or visit support.virginpulse.com.

For complete Be in the Know 2023-2024 campaign details, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/beintheknow. Watch for upcoming communications on the upcoming 2024-2025 campaign year, including exciting changes to qualifying activities and rewards!

Flexible Spending Accounts Updates and Reminders

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are tax-advantaged accounts that let you use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses. Using FSAs can save money, however the amount of unused dollars that will roll over — or stay in your account from one plan year to the next — is limited. If you currently have an FSA or you plan to add one to your benefits for 2024-2025, carefully consider your contribution for the new plan year. 

Health Care FSA

If you have a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA), you will be able to roll over up to $610 of all unused funds from the 2023-2024 plan year to the 2024-2025 plan year. All unused funds over the $610 limit will be forfeited. The maximum amount you can contribute to the Health Care FSA is increasing from $3,050 to $3,200. The rollover amount will also increase from $610 to $640. You must incur all expenses between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Claims must be submitted by September 30, 2025. All rollover funds will be available in November.

Dependent Care FSA

You must use all available funds by the end of the plan year deadline, or you will forfeit any remaining balance. You have until September 15 of the following plan year to incur expenses, and until September 30 of the following plan year to submit eligible claims. 

For example, if you enroll in a Dependent Care FSA during the 2024-2025 plan year, you’ll have until September 15, 2025 to incur expenses and until September 30, 2025 to submit eligible expenses for reimbursement. 

Visit the Flexible Spending Accounts webpage for more FSA details and single-sign-on access to WageWorks/HealthEquity.

Elevate Staff Skills with CEAP

If your staff are ready to learn next-level administrative skills, Penn’s Certificate in Enhanced Administrative Performance (CEAP) program is accepting nominations for new participants. CEAP Cohort 6 classes will take place July 16, 23, 30, and August 6, 2024, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Nominations are due June 10, 2024

CEAP is based on an innovative model designed for individuals who are eager to take their careers to the next level. Led by seasoned practitioners, this program offers tailored sessions that delve into reflective practices. By the end of the program, they will have developed a personalized presentation addressing their authentic needs for both professional and personal growth.

The CEAP series is comprised of dynamic workshops such as “The Clock,” “Words,” “Image Matters,” "Workplace Technology: Making Your Best Presentation,” and “Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, and Customer Service.”

Participants learn to captivate their audience and convey their message effectively through dynamic slides and engaging delivery techniques. In addition, they participate in activities to enhance their knowledge of the qualities and characteristics of a good leader. They also refine essential skills through hands-on exercises, delve into effective written communication strategies, hone customer service skills, and understand the significance of professional image.

Throughout the CEAP program, learners will have the chance to immerse themselves in a supportive and collaborative cohort of other Penn professionals.

Managers, in conjunction with the HR partner,  may nominate up to two employees per cohort from your school or center. The program cost is $450. You can submit your CEAP program nominations online.

For more Penn talent development opportunities, visit the HR website’s Learn & Grow pages.

Penn Cobalt Mental Health Media

Penn Cobalt is a web-based platform that matches faculty, staff, and postdocs to mental health resources and the appropriate level of group and individual mental health and well-being support.

This month for Mental Health Awareness, Penn Cobalt has gathered a series of short videos and podcasts from its resource library to help Penn community members to “normalize the practice of prioritizing mental health, taking care of yourself and others, and learning the importance of supporting those living with mental health conditions.”

Visit the Penn Cobalt Mental Health Awareness page to access these programs. Topics range from “What Is Therapy?” to “Levels of Care and Insurance Considerations in Mental Health.”

At www.penncobalt.com, you can also connect with an array of support providers, including the Penn Employee Assistance Program, wellness coaches, therapists, psychiatrists, and non-denominational chaplains. Payment options vary by provider. Services may be free of charge, covered by insurance, or self-pay. Copays and deductibles may apply.

For more information about mental health support and benefits, visit the MindWell at Penn pages.

“The Entire Day Was My Favorite”

On Take Our Children to Work Day, April 25, 2024, more than 500 faculty, staff, and postdoctoral families and friends participated in 31 activities and events offered through Penn Human Resources’ generous campus partners in 23 schools and centers.

Last month, myHR invited 2024 Take our Children to Work Day participants to share their impressions of the day’s activities. Thanks for dozens of submissions we received from participants.  They shared the opportunities they had to enjoy the various activities and programming, explore campus, connect with the Penn community, and inspire children to explore their interests.  Selected responses are published on the Take Our Children to Work Day web page. Here’s a sample of the memories they shared:

What was your favorite part of the day?

“It was so nice spending the day with my 8-year-old daughter…She has been bragging to her friends and her brother about coming to Penn and how she wants to come back every week!”

- Dan Prante, Information Systems & Computing

“In her own words, my granddaughter said, ‘I can’t pick, Nana, because the entire day was my favorite.’”

- Maria Jones, Facilities and Real Estate Services

“Seeing so many people participate! I’m thrilled to work for an org that celebrates this day with intentional programming intended to show kids what makes Penn special and unique.”

- Anonymous

What did you see, learn, and experience?

“She participated in an ice cream making workshop led by engineering students, went to a book reading at the bookstore, and went to DPS for a tour, which was the favorite part of her day.”

- Shanice Beckham, School of Social Policy and Practice

“We visited Pottruck for the rec hours…lunch at Houston Hall; ice skating; catapults at SEAS; and carnival games at the Library and the Penn Relays…There were so many opportunities! The students who were part of the Penn Society for Women Engineers…worked thoughtfully with the children…The Carnival Games team deserves recognition for their creativity…”

- James Walsh, Provost’s Interdisciplinary Programs

“My child experienced a day with ‘Mommy’ at work… She got to fight a law case at Penn Carey Law. She learned about law proceedings and was very excited to partake in the court case…Penn Carey Law made the day amazing.”

- Anonymous

Penn is able to offer outstanding Take Our Children to Work Day programming thanks to creative volunteers from University schools and centers. If your school or center would like to participate, please contact Cassie Paoli at (215) 573-2471 or cpaoli@upenn.edu.

Take Our Children to Work Day is held annually on the fourth Thursday in April. Save the date for next year’s event on April 24, 2025.

Healthy Meals: Avocado Salsa 

This zesty version of salsa is a delicious way to “eat the rainbow” with a vibrant variety of fruits and vegetables. Nutritionists recommend eating at least two different colored fruits or vegetables as part of every meal. Add a healthy portion of this salsa on top of your favorite lean protein and you’ve got your colors covered.

Click here to send us your healthy recipes and tips.

Ingredients

• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 orange or grapefruit, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cucumber, diced
• 1 Roma tomato, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
• 1-2 tablespoon  chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1-2 teaspoon minced garlic

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl and combine
2. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to three days. Enjoy as a topping to your favorite protein or as a snack.

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: Ready for Retirement

Penn will host the next series of Thinking About Retirement presentations on Wednesday, May 29 in Houston Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each 90-minute presentation covers an important aspect of retirement benefits: Penn Benefits & Medicare, 5 Steps to Creating Your Retirement Income Plan, and Social Security Benefits Planning. For more information and to register for the sessions, visit the Thinking About Retirement web page.