myHR Archives

myHR: June 18, 2025

Get Ready for Fresh Wellness Opportunities with WebMD

The 2025-2026 Be in the Know wellness campaign for benefits-eligible faculty, staff and postdocs begins in just two weeks. You’ll have access to a new WebMD ONE wellness platform on July 1. To help you prepare to take full advantage of this valuable resource, here’s a preview of the fresh wellness opportunities.

Use Your Rewards Cash by June 30
If you’ve ever earned points or rewards for the Be in the Know wellness campaign, check your balance and redeem your Rewards Cash on the Personify Health wellness platform by June 30, 2025. Visit Be in the Know for details.

What’s New for 2025-2026

Penn is excited to partner with WebMD to offer a fresh array of healthful programs, tools, activities, and rewards. Take advantage of these wellness resources to support all aspects of your well-being and be your best at home and work. These tools can also help prevent or better manage health challenges, making it easier to thrive and connect with other Penn community members.

Since good health is priceless, Penn encourages you to invest in your well-being by offering the opportunity to earn rewards for completing Be in the Know wellness activities throughout the year. Participants can earn up to $300 cash rewards plus VIP special recognition.

With the new WebMD partnership, Penn continues the best elements of the Be in the Know campaign while introducing enhancements designed to elevate your overall well-being and experience. Highlights for Be in the Know 2025-2026 include:

Personalized wellness: Complete your choice of activities that are most meaningful to your health to earn points and rewards. There is no required "gateway" activity to start earning rewards.

Popular Be in the Know activities: Biometric screenings, online health assessment, preventative health options, and Penn wellness activities will continue.
Exciting new WebMD offerings: WebMD’s secure portal gives you access to Daily Habits, Side Quests, coaching, challenges, health trackers, RethinkCare videos, a community board, and an abundance of learning content.
Simplified points and rewards structure: Earn a $50 cash incentive for every 1,000 points completed. You can earn a maximum of $300 for 2025-2026 by reaching 6,000 points. Keep going to 9,000 points to earn VIP status and special recognition!
Rewards added to paychecks quarterly: All rewards will be cash incentives added to your paycheck and will be paid on a quarterly basis (end of October 2025 and January, April, and July 2026.)

As the 2025-2026 campaign launch approaches, get ready for exciting new opportunities to stay engaged in your health and utilize beneficial Be in the Know and WebMD programs, tools, and resources! Watch your inbox for more details and visit Be in the Know for ongoing updates.

Workday's Enhanced Absence Calendar

On July 1, 2025, Workday at Penn will introduce an enhanced absence calendar experience to request and manage time off and leaves of absence. The enhancement will make the processes quicker, easier, and clearer. The new experience will also make it easier to access time off balances and status in multiple Workday locations.

The look and feel of several of Workday’s absence pages and tasks will change. Managers and others who review, edit, and approve absence on behalf of others will also use the enhanced absence calendar. The Workday Mobile App will use the new absence calendar. Workday on MS Teams will maintain its current design for requesting and managing absences.

Global Navigation Menu

With the new absence calendar, Penn will introduce a more intuitive global navigation menu for all Workday users. A categorized menu will replace the list of applications in Workday’s apps menu at the far left of the user's desktop screen. Two new apps, “Request Absence” and “Manage Absence,” will appear under the Personal category.

Key Features and Benefits

Effective July 1, 2025, the absence calendar enhancement includes the following key features:

The old style “Time Off and Leave” application will become two apps, “Request Absence” and “Manage Absence,” under the Personal category on the updated global navigation menu.
Employees will use “Request Absence” when requesting time off without leaving a particular page or task in Workday.
A new pop-up micro-calendar appears, and the employee can simply select their time off or leave. The employee can also easily view the status of a request and the time off balance as of the current date.
Employees will use “Manage Absence” to edit time off, known in the old style as “correct time off.” The employee or manager can review requests in the past six months and the next 12 months, grouped by month. New icons and color-coding indicate if it is approved or waiting for approval.
The Manage Absence calendar enhancement includes a shift of the “View Balances as of Date” field and a new “Requests” tab to the right side of the calendar that displays employees’ past and upcoming time off and status.
Managers and others who enter or edit time off or absences on behalf of employees have an improved experience in the “Team Absence Calendar.”

Updated Support on July 1

The following Workday tip sheets, which provide step-by-step guidance, will be updated on July 1 when the enhanced absence calendar experience takes effect.

For assistance, please call the Penn Employee Solution Center at 215-898-7372 or submit a help ticket online.

Supporting Your Well-Being at Work

Employee Health and Wellness Month is more than just a calendar event. It’s a reminder that your health impacts how you live and work every day. During June, staff and faculty have the opportunity to participate in a variety of well-being events that support your health, provide a wellness break, and allow you to connect with your colleagues. Once June is over, you can keep the momentum going and explore ways to infuse wellness into the workday.

Think about easy, health-enhancing strategies to incorporate; ones that don’t require excessive time or create stress. Even by taking one or two steps towards wellness each day it can lead to a positive impact on your health, mental outlook, energy level, and productivity.

Research shows that there are many benefits to taking care of your personal well-being, and the benefits of creating a culture of wellness at work are just as significant. For example:

Our work environment and its culture can greatly impact our overall well-being and quality of life – how we feel, how we work, how we interact with others, and more.
Social norms and health-related behaviors can have a ripple effect, influencing the people within that space. Wellness can be contagious and the same can be true of less healthy behaviors.
What happens during the workday often trickles into our home lives, so having a good day at work can help us feel and be our best at home.
A good company culture is one that values and supports its employees’ overall well-being. If you have the tools to thrive and feel better physically, financially, emotionally, and socially, you are also likely to positively contribute to the workplace. It's a win-win!

Getting Started

You can create a healthier work environment for yourself and your team. Start by choosing one wellness area to focus on. Here are a few ideas to inspire you or you can come up with a well-being goal that speaks to you.

Movement breaks. Getting enough activity throughout the day is always a worthy goal and supports well-being on many levels. Take frequent breaks to stand, stretch, move, or walk. Fill your water bottle, schedule a walking meeting, or walk to your colleague’s desk vs. emailing. If you can, use lunch breaks for an extended chance to move – walk, join a wellness walk, take the stairs, run, work out, or take a group fitness class at Pottruck if your schedule allows. As always, see your healthcare provider for any concerns about physical activity.
Healthy food options. A little planning time goes a long way when it comes to eating healthy on the job. As with all wellness goals, strive to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Keep healthy snacks and meal options on hand (and in sight). Focus on options with nutritional value, including protein, healthy fats and fiber to support energy and keep you full. For office snacks, consider fresh fruit or veggies, nuts or trail mix, or even a low sugar Greek yogurt. For a delicious and nutritious snack try these Peanut Butter Energy Bites from Ramp Health for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Mindfulness breaks. Just as moving physically is critical, so is supporting your mental health and emotional well-being. Step away from your desk regularly to take a few deep breaths and clear your mind. If able, step outside for a quick nature break for added benefits or do a mindful meditation at your desk to rejuvenate. You can incorporate mindfulness moments into your movement break to enjoy a full mind and body refresher. Also, consider attending one of Penn’s guided meditation and mindfulness workshops.
Lead by example and provide support. If you are in a leadership position, encourage your teams to support their overall well-being, share available wellness resources, and strive to create a healthy work culture for everyone.

Wellness Goal Tips

Whatever goal you decide to set, please keep these tips in mind:

Try to utilize the SMART goal method to achieve your goals. SMART goal setting is a method for creating clear, actionable, and achievable goals by ensuring they are:
- Specific – Clearly defined and focused on a particular outcome.
- Measurable – Includes criteria to track progress and success.
- Achievable – Realistic and attainable within your resources and abilities.
- Relevant – Aligned with broader objectives and meaningful to your needs.
- Time-bound – Has a clear deadline or time frame for completion.
An example of a SMART goal is: “I will increase my daily steps from 5,000 to 8,000 over the next five weeks by adding approximately 600 extra steps per day each week to boost my physical activity and support my health.” Try this method for your next goal and see how you achieve it!
Keep it simple. Start with low-hanging fruit by focusing on one small (and easy) step and build from there.
Don’t strive for perfection and give yourself grace. Do the same for your colleagues who are likely trying their best.
Use available tools to help you succeed, such as calendar reminders, apps, journaling or writing down your goals/tracking progress, wellness trackers, and Personify Health platform.
Tell a colleague, friend, or loved one to help you stay accountable. You may also gain a wellness buddy in the process.

For more information about how you can cultivate a culture of wellness at work, visit Penn’s Wellness and Work-life webpages.

Let’s make wellness contagious!

Update Your Beneficiaries in Workday and TIAA

With summer and Penn’s new fiscal year approaching, change is in the air. When life events such as marriage, divorce, or birth of a child happen, it’s time for you to update your Penn life insurance and retirement plan beneficiary designations.

Properly designating your beneficiaries gives you and your loved ones' peace of mind. It makes it easier to carry out your wishes for their financial future. Otherwise, the money you intend to leave them could instead go to your estate and be distributed as part of probate proceedings. Probate can be time-consuming and stressful for your next of kin.

Designations for your retirement plans and life insurance do not apply to each other. However, the process is made simple using the Workday@Penn portal and the TIAA.org log in for Penn faculty and staff.

How to Update Your Life Insurance Beneficiary

You may update your life insurance beneficiary at any time. With the Workday@Penn portal updating your insurance beneficiary information only takes a few minutes. If you have not selected a life insurance beneficiary or need to update an existing designation, log in to Workday and follow the instructions on page 4 of the Workday@Penn Manage, View, and Change Your Benefits tip sheet.

If you have questions about updating your life insurance beneficiary designations in Workday or need assistance, you can also call the Penn Benefits Solution Center at Health Advocate at 866-799-2239, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. ET.

How to Update Your Retirement Plan Beneficiary

To update your retirement plan beneficiary, log in to TIAA.org to see your account summary.*

Select the Profile link at the top of the screen.
Select Manage beneficiaries from the quick links in the drop-down menu.
Under Manage your beneficiaries, select the Beneficiaries tab.
To edit or remove a beneficiary, select the three-dot button next to their name.

Note that you must make beneficiary designations for each contract under each of the three plans – Basic, Matching, and Supplemental. Any contracts without a beneficiary designation will default to your estate.

If you need help updating your retirement plan beneficiaries, please contact the TIAA Retirement Call Center at 877-736-6738.

For more details about updating beneficiaries for your retirement plans, visit the Designating Your Beneficiaries web page.

*Benefit service providers may revise their website occasionally, so these steps could change. If you need help, please contact the service providers listed above.

Healthy Meals: Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas

This Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe from EatingWell is a quick, flavorful, and mess-free way to enjoy a Tex-Mex favorite right at home. Tender strips of chicken breast are tossed with colorful bell peppers and onions, then seasoned with a smoky blend of spices and roasted on a single pan for easy cleanup. You can prepare it in under 40 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner. Serve with warm tortillas, fresh lime, and your favorite toppings like guacamole, salsa, or sour cream for a customizable and satisfying meal the whole family will love.

Click here to send us your healthy recipes and tips.

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 large red bell pepper, sliced
1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced
2 cups sliced red or yellow onion (about 1 large)
1 tablespoon lime juice
8 corn tortillas, warmed
Lime wedges, cilantro, sour cream, avocado and/or pico de gallo for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a large, rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
Cut 1 pound of chicken breasts in half horizontally, then slice crosswise into strips. Combine 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken and stir to coat with the spice mixture. Add bell peppers and 2 cups onion and stir to combine. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to the prepared baking sheet and spread in an even layer.
Roast on the middle rack for 15 minutes. Leave the pan there and turn the broiler to high. Broil until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are browning in spots, about 5 minutes more. Remove from oven. Stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice.
Serve the chicken and vegetables in 8 warmed tortillas accompanied by lime wedges and topped with cilantro, sour cream, avocado and/or pico de gallo, if desired.

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: You May Have Unclaimed Be in the Know Rewards**

If you’ve ever earned points or rewards for the Be in the Know wellness campaign since 2020, be sure to check your balance and redeem your Rewards Cash on the Personify Health wellness platform by June 30, 2025. Rewards Cash will NOT roll over into the following campaign year or be available on Penn’s new WebMD platform launching July 1, 2025. Don’t miss out on your rewards!