myHR: December 10, 2025

Abundant Gratitude

In the November 12 myHR, we invited readers to share their gratitude experiences through our coworker gratitude questionnaire. We received a wealth of heartfelt responses from Penn community members across campus, expressing appreciation for coworkers in a variety of roles throughout University schools and centers.

To match the abundant responses this year, HR selected 25 participants at random to receive gift bags featuring Penn-branded items.

Below are a few sample responses from readers. You can see additional Penn community statements of gratitude for the Fall term on the HR gratitude webpage.

To the WRDS CX Team: Laura Deen, Kelsey Hamer, and Matt Jastremski

Thank you for being on top of every detail of our operations. You anticipate every question before it's asked and have the answers documented and at your fingertips.

- Matt Cohen

To Joseph Pennington, Housekeeping NBC

[I am grateful for Joseph’s] leadership style and not asking anyone to do anything that he wouldn’t do.

- Debra Barber

To the EHRS Team

I appreciate that the EHRS team is on campus every day and on call to support the health and well-being of everyone at Penn. They work extra hours to accommodate projects and to address shift work and to make sure all faculty, staff and employees are safe.

- Maureen Malachowski

To Fariha Khan, Catherine Bartch, Jorge Téllez, Rupa Pillai, Bakirathi Mani in the Asian American Studies Program and Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies

What I appreciate most about my coworkers is their genuine support. They’re always ready to help, share their knowledge, and make everyone feel included. Their humanity, openness, and consistent respect for others create a work environment that truly feels like family.

- Anonymous

To Rachel, Forensics Manager in PETRL, NBC Clinical Studies

Rachel cares about me as a person and employee. I feel empowered to be my authentic self at work without feeling the pressure to be perfect all the time. Rachel makes me feel like a valuable member of the organization and treats me with respect.

- Kathleen Boyajian O'Shea

Human Resources is grateful to everyone who responded to this year’s gratitude questionnaire. We hope it encourages our community to continue to show appreciation to our colleagues in the new year. To learn more about the benefits of gratitude practice, visit Penn Cobalt.

For more personal and professional development resources, visit HR’s Learn & Grow pages.

Special Winter Vacation Reminder 

As they do every year, Penn’s President, Provost, and Senior Executive Vice President evaluate the feasibility of observing Penn’s traditional Special Winter Vacation. This year, the Special Winter Vacation granted to all regular full-time staff members, including faculty, will be on December 26, 29, 30, and 31. Employees required to work to continue departmental operations for part or all of this period may reschedule, within 90 days of the Special Winter Vacation period, time off for some other time during the year.

As a gesture of thanks, Penn is extending Winter Break to include Friday, January 2, 2026. Essential staff required to work that day will receive comp time that can be used by March 31, 2026.

Vacations and holidays for hospital employees or those staff members in collective bargaining units are governed by the terms of hospital policies or their respective collective bargaining agreements.

The complete list of recognized holidays for this fiscal year is available on the Holidays policy page.

Additional Biometric Screening Options

Although Penn’s on-campus biometric screenings have ended, there are still convenient, no-cost options available to help you learn valuable health information and earn biometric screening credit for the 2025–2026 Be in the Know wellness campaign. Receive screening credit this campaign year to earn 1,000 points and a $50 cash reward!

Here are two additional ways you can obtain credit for a screening. On WebMD's Rewards page, look for “Biometric Screening Options” under Overall Health rewards:

• Submit Results: Use Health Advocate’s Consent to Submit Results Form to submit results obtained through your healthcare provider. The deadline to submit this form is June 30, 2026.
• Quest Screening: Schedule your biometric screening with Quest, using WebMD’s platform. Download their ready-made script and take to your scheduled Quest appointment. The deadline to complete a screening through Quest is June 30, 2026.

For both screening options, once processed, your results will be automatically uploaded to the Health Record area of your WebMD account and Be in the Know points will be awarded. Please allow at least two weeks for processing.

Take advantage of these options today and keep your wellness journey on track!

You can earn up to $300 in cash rewards this campaign year by completing your choice of wellness activities. All campaign rewards will be added to your paycheck (less applicable payroll taxes) and paid on a monthly basis.

For more information about the 2025-2026 Be in the Know wellness campaign, visit the Be in the Know webpage. 

An Updated Workday Tool to Track Time 

On January 5, 2026, Workday introduces a new tool, called My Time Hub, which will be used by all non-exempt staff, student, and temporary workers who are paid weekly to enter and manage their time. My Time Hub will replace the Time App and consolidate time management tasks and information in one central location, accessible on both mobile devices and desktops.

Updated tip sheets and a short video demonstration will be available on January 5.

Also on January 5, managers, timekeepers, and others will notice a name change for the feature they currently use to review and approve time sheets. Their tool, currently called Time Hub, will become Time Approvals Hub.

What is a hub?

A hub is a Workday-delivered centralized space where users can find and navigate to their most frequently needed tasks, reports, and other resources. A hub consists of:

• Links to tasks, reports, and dashboards
• A navigation menu
• Home pages with a variety of items, including announcements, sections, and information cards

For more information visit the Workday website.

Realize Your Potential with the Emerging Leader Program

Take the next step in your Penn career with The Emerging Leader: Taking Control of Your Career. This four-part, on-campus course is designed to empower high-potential professionals with the tools, confidence, and strategies they need to thrive as future leaders. Through a dynamic, interactive learning experience, the Emerging Leader program helps participants discover their strengths, overcome barriers, and craft a clear vision for their career growth. The first session takes place on January 7, 2026, so enroll on Workday now to reserve your space and obtain approval from your department.

What Makes This Program Unique?

Led by Alvina Peat of Williamspeat Associates, The Emerging Leader program consists of four modules, each building on the last to create a comprehensive leadership development journey:

Module One: Discover Your Strengths
January 7, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Participants begin by identifying the unique competencies they bring to their roles. This self-awareness fosters confidence and lays the foundation for career advancement.

Module Two: Define Your Vision
January 14, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
In this module, participants explore their career goals and learn how to leverage their strengths to succeed in both current and future roles within the University.

Module Three: Overcome Barriers
January 21, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Growth often comes with challenges. This session equips participants with practical tools to address and remove perceived obstacles, ensuring they can move forward with clarity and resilience.

Module Four: Tell Your Story
January 28, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The program culminates in a powerful exercise where participants articulate their personal leadership journey—an essential skill for influencing and inspiring others.

Program Commitment

In addition to the four classroom sessions, The Emerging Leader experience includes:

• Pre-Program Assessments: 3 hours
• Assignments: 3 hours
• Peer Group Coaching: 3 hours

Who Should Enroll?

This program is open to junior to mid-level, benefits-eligible staff who demonstrate initiative, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to organizational success. Recommended participants:

• Exhibit the drive and skills to prepare for managerial roles
• Maintain a positive reputation and high engagement
• Display core leadership competencies appropriate to their current position

Why Join?

The Emerging Leader is more than a course—it’s an investment in your future. By the end of the program, participants will have a clear understanding of their strengths, a roadmap for career success, and the confidence to lead with impact.

Take the first step toward becoming the leader you aspire to be. Enroll today and get ready to start the new year on the path to greater achievements.

For more leadership development opportunities, visit the Learn & Grow section of the HR website.

*Managers: Please obtain approval from your HR Business Partner before granting final approval to your staff to participate in this program. Your department will be charged $4,120 per participant.

The Right Numbers in Your Beneficiary Records

Dependents are a number 1 priority, so please make sure their Social Security numbers are correct in Penn’s benefits records. To check the accuracy of your dependents’ records for this calendar year, log into Workday and verify your dependents’ Social Security numbers before December 31, 2025.

For instructions on checking and editing dependents’ Social Security numbers in Workday, see the Manage, View, and Change Your Benefits tip sheet.

For tax reporting purposes, including the 1095-C form, Penn needs accurate dependent Social Security numbers. The IRS 1095-C form mailed to certain benefits-eligible faculty and staff includes information about the health insurance coverage offered to you by Penn and information for each of your family members enrolled under a Penn benefits plan. Blank or incorrect Social Security numbers for dependents may potentially affect their receiving a COBRA health coverage packet when they turn age 26, as well as the accuracy of your 1095-C form.

If you have questions, contact the Penn Employee Solution Center at 215-898-7372 or solutioncenter@upenn.edu.

Healthy Meals: Healthier Holiday Cookies

Celebrate the holiday season with a trayful of delicious, and healthy, holiday cookies. These delightful treats bring that cozy, festive feeling we all love – plus wholesome nutritious ingredients. They’re great as gifts for family and friends, too!

Click here to send us your healthy recipes and tips.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon flax meal
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1-1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk the water and flax meal with a fork. Set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, peanut butter, and maple syrup; stir together. Add the thickened flax meal mixture and stir until creamy.

To the same bowl, add the oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until well combined. Fold in the dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and chocolate chips.

Scoop the dough to make 16 evenly sized balls and place on prepared baking sheets. Gently press each cookie down until they are 1/2-inch thick.

Bake one sheet at a time for 10 minutes on the middle rack until the cookies are lightly golden brown on the bottoms. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely.

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: HR’s Winter Break Service Hours

Human Resources will be closed for Penn’s Special Winter Vacation from December 25, 2025, through January 2, 2026. During this period, many resources will still be available to faculty and staff. Penn’s Employee Assistance Program will remain accessible 24/7. Other services may have modified hours or be temporarily unavailable. For a complete list of holiday hours, please visit the Special Operating Hours webpage.