myHR: November 27, 2024

Seasonal Savings at Penn

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming soon, don’t forget all the holiday deals available to Penn faculty, staff, and postdocs now and throughout the season. Find unique gifts and share arts, cultural, and recreational experiences online and on-campus with these exclusive discounts.

Shop Locally

SHOP Penn Days of Deals

’Tis the Season to eat, shop and be merry! The holidays are here and we are excited to celebrate the season throughout the SHOP PENN district this December. The Fifth Annual SHOP PENN Days of Deals returns December 2-13, and features 12 days of sales and giveaways from our collection of eclectic stores and restaurants around campus. This year’s SHOP PENN Holiday Window Decorating Contest runs December 4-13. Take a stroll through the district and vote for your favorite holiday window display. For more details, visit www.shopsatpenn.com and follow SHOP PENN on Instagram, X, and Facebook (@shopsatpenn).

Annual Winter Sale-a-Bration at the Penn Bookstore

The Penn Bookstore will hold its annual Winter Sale-a-Bration on Wednesday, December 4, and Thursday, December 5, from 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Find a gift or something special for yourself at this fun and festive event. Take advantage of a special 20% off discount on almost all product categories storewide. In the afternoon, enjoy a lineup of seasonal festivities, including complimentary gift-wrapping, performances by the Penn Glee Club, a free professional photo at the winter-themed photo booth (props provided), and hot chocolate and cookies (while supplies last)! For activity times and updates, visit the Sale-a-Bration webpage and follow the Penn Bookstore on Instagram and Facebook.

Stay Active

Ott Center for Track & Field

Penn employees receive discounted training memberships to run indoors during the winter season. The Ott Center is available weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a morning session will be added in January. Penn Faculty/Staff training memberships are $200 for the 2024-2025 winter season or $10 at the door for a day pass. For more information on training memberships and facility policies visit theottcenter.com.

Penn Campus Recreation

Unlock 50% savings on your Campus Recreation monthly membership. Enjoy exclusive access to our top-tier fitness facilities and amenities for half the price. Whether you're looking to stay fit, relax, or connect with a supportive community, now is the perfect time to join. Don’t miss out on this limited time offer to get active and energized at an unbeatable value. Sign up today and start your wellness journey with Penn Recreation! To confirm eligibility, reach out to Penn Campus Recreation.

Penn Athletics Basketball Matinee

Cheer for the Quakers in the Palestra on the Friday before winter break! The Penn Women’s Basketball team will take on the Delaware State Hornets on December 20 at 11:30 a.m. Order your tickets for a discounted rate, available on this special Penn Athletics webpage. Penn faculty and staff are also invited to take photos on the court after the game.

Penn Ice Rink

Rocky Date Night, Friday, December 6 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This RockyFest event, a collaboration with the Philadelphia Visitors’ Center, recreates Rocky and Adrian’s iconic first date at an ice rink. The evening includes skating, fab food trucks and beverages, a character lookalike contest, photo ops from Philly’s favorite film franchise, and even a speed-dating session for singles. Admission is $25 per person. Tickets include free skate rental and a 20% discount at the Rocky Shop December 3-8, 2024. Click here for details.

Holiday Skate, Sunday, December 15 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Admission is free when you bring a new toy donation for Toys for Tots. Skate rental additional.

View Greenery and Scenery

Morris Arboretum & Gardens

The Shop at Morris Arboretum & Gardens offers an array of locally crafted goods and unique items that inspire love and appreciation of the natural world. Penn staff and faculty* get a special 10% discount on all Shop purchases December 1-30. Every purchase supports the Morris’ mission of connecting plants, people, and place.

*In-store only. Must present PennCard for discount. Not valid for the purchase of memberships, gift cards, or admissions. Other restrictions may apply.

Make your holiday even more magical with a visit to the Holiday Garden Railway. This seasonal favorite—a marvelous experience for visitors of all ages—runs through December 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry at 3 p.m.). See enchanting model-train rail cars in a festive wonderland of lights and sounds. Daytime viewing is free with general admission. PennCard holders must show card.

The Morris, open daily through March from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is closed on December 24, 25, 31, and January 1.

Experience Arts and Culture

Penn Live Arts

Penn faculty and staff receive a 10% discount on Penn Live Arts performances, including music, dance, theatre and cirque artists from around the world. On December 8, enjoy jazzy renditions of holiday favorites in Jingle Bell Swing, featuring the smoky vocals and fiery trumpet of Bria Skonberg. Then, on December 13 and 14, head to the Penn Ice Rink for Le Patin Libre, the world’s only contemporary ice-skating company, which makes its Philadelphia debut with Murmuration, inspired by the high-speed aerial ballet of birds. To get discounted tickets, use code “PENN.” Visit PennLiveArts.org for more information.

Museum Store Sunday at the Penn Museum

The Penn Museum Shop is among nearly 25 attractions across the City of Philadelphia that will participate in Museum Store Sunday on December 1. This nationwide event involving more than 2,100 museum stores representing all 50 states is designed to inspire holiday shopping with meaningful economic impact.

The Penn Museum Shop will offer 20 percent off all merchandise in both its online and onsite stores for the entire weekend: Friday, November 29 through Monday, December 2. Use the discount code: MSS2024!! for online shopping.

Shoppers will find a wide range of gifts for all ages inspired by the Penn Museum’s world- renowned collections—such as hand-crafted holiday ornaments from Kenya, umbrellas, silk scarves, hand-knitted wool mittens, stunning jewelry duplicating the royal style of a Mesopotamian queen, artifact replicas, excavation kits for kids, hieroglyph-decoding activity kits, spices, teas, mugs, chocolates from around the world, Anubis as a cuddly stuffed animal, board games, and 1,000-piece puzzles.

From December 3 through 31, PennCard holders (including Penn staff, faculty, and students) receive 25% off all regularly priced merchandise both at the Penn Museum Shop and its online store. For in-Shop purchases, present your PennCard. Use the discount code: Holiday2024Penn!! for online shopping.

The Power of Gratitude

Before most of Penn’s campus sets aside work for Thanksgiving break, we encourage you to focus on thankfulness in the workplace. Gratitude is more than a feel-good buzzword, or “the secret hope of further favors.” Grateful actions have proven to be a powerful force for well-being for individuals and organizations.

This year, Penn Cobalt has devoted an entire guide to gratitude resources from wellness experts and organizational leaders. For example, in How an Attitude of Gratitude Builds a Healthy Workplace Culture, Wharton Dean Erika James shares three simple ways to practice gratitude at work:

Celebrate small accomplishments — and big ones, too. Don’t wait for an annual review or a huge win to express thanks and acknowledge a job well done.
Be an empathetic listener. Show your appreciation for others by being compassionate, welcoming, and open to new ideas — including those that oppose your point of view.
Surprise and delight. Find small, unexpected ways to recognize colleagues and their efforts — treat someone to a cup of coffee or lunch, or ask how you can lighten someone’s load.

Another way to practice gratitude at work is through myHR’s 2024 Penn coworker gratitude questionnaire. Selected submissions will be published in an upcoming issue of myHR and at www.hr.upenn.edu/gatheringgratitude. Two entries submitted by Penn faculty, staff, or postdocs will be selected at random to receive a gift package from the Human Resources Work-life and Wellness team. To be eligible for the prize drawing, complete the coworker gratitude questionnaire by December 6, 2024, at 5 p.m. EST.

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

Check Your Well-being with the Self-Care Penn Challenge

What happens to any system that doesn’t get routine maintenance and monitoring? Eventually, it can break down. Your body is no different. That’s why self-care matters. Self-care includes your physical health, your mood and mental health, and your social bonds. While taking care of yourself sounds like common sense, it’s not always easy for busy people with multiple social and family responsibilities to make time for it.

To help you check in on your own well-being, join the Self-Care Penn Challenge from December 2 through December 14. During this Be in the Know wellness campaign challenge, you will receive tips to help you focus on the present quality of your life. The tips will serve as important reminders that making simple adjustments to your daily routine can lead to better sleep each day.

To register for the Self-Care Penn Challenge, log onto the Virgin Pulse platform.

In this Penn Challenge, set a goal for how many mindful minutes you want to do daily. Once the challenge begins, start tracking your progress and uploading completed mindful minutes, check your progress and earn Be in the Know rewards!

Challenge Rules

Set a goal for how many mindful minutes you’ll do each day.
Once the challenge begins, start tracking and check your progress daily!

Dates

The Penn Challenge lasts two weeks, starting on Monday, December 2, 12 a.m. ET, and ending on Sunday, December 15, 11:59 p.m. ET.
The deadline to upload your mindful minutes is Tuesday, December 17, 11:59 p.m. ET. Minutes uploaded after this date won't be counted in the final results. (Please note: The platform will only allow you to enter minutes for the previous 14 days. For example, mindful minutes for November 8 must be uploaded by November 22.)

Leaderboard

A maximum of 120 mindful minutes per day will count toward your challenge progress.
The individual rankings are based on each participants' percentage of progress toward their goal.
Although this is an individual challenge, and not a teams-based challenge, you’ll see “collective goal” progress tracked for all participants—this reflects the combined progress of all participants. Your individual efforts will contribute toward this collective goal.

Good to Know

If you leave the Penn Challenge, you have until Wednesday, December 4, 11:59 p.m. ET. to rejoin. If you don't rejoin by this date, you won't be able to participate in this challenge.

For more Be in the Know wellness activities, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/beintheknow.

Healthy Holiday Boundaries

In this update on ‘Tis the Season to Set Boundaries: Tips for Surviving the Holidays, Dr. Maggie Tipton from Caron Treatment Centers offers practical ways to maintain respectful limits on situations that challenge our well-being, especially for those in recovery.

Many people think of boundaries as a physical or temporal boundary: I’m not going to that event, I’m not willing to drive four hours to Aunt Jean’s for that holiday party, or I need to be in bed by 11 o’clock. But emotional boundaries are just as important – whether that means topics and conversations that make us uncomfortable or people who tend to trigger us. There are also cognitive boundaries, where we recognize there are certain patterns in our own thinking that don’t always serve us well.

The truth is there is no rule that says we must put ourselves in a situation that is not good for us, and the holiday season is no exception. Practicing self-care means that we have a right and even a responsibility to consider whether participating in certain activities will bring us joy or leave us emotionally drained.

Here are a few strategies to help navigate the holidays:

Fill your tank

If you are someone who feels depleted around the holidays, take time in the month and/or weeks ahead to engage in activities, interact with people that fuel or energize you. If planning ahead isn't your strong suit, brainstorm activities and people you derive energy from and sprinkle those opportunities throughout the holiday season

Suggest a get-together after the holidays

There’s a lot happening this time of year and only a short amount of time to “get it all done.” People often feel uncomfortable saying no. There is pressure to participate and a sense that not doing so will appear selfish or be hurtful to family, friends, and colleagues. I recommend structuring the holidays to suit your own schedule. Suggest to people that, instead of cramming something in, you get together when there is less hustle and bustle and really enjoy each other’s company. Instead of turning them away, you are carving out quality time expressly for them.

Role play how to deal with a problem family member

Let’s face it – some relationships are just not good for you, and it’s not your responsibility to make them okay. Here, I think the first step is to talk to the supportive individuals in your life – people in the rooms, sponsors, a therapist, a partner or your best friend. Use them as a sounding board to establish an appropriate boundary, whether that is avoiding the situation entirely or making it clear in advance that you will not discuss specific topics or engage in certain behaviors (for example, the annual game of beer pong). Role play what you might say and how you will handle a confrontational response. Addressing these issues and practicing the conversation in advance will help you feel grounded and give you strength to stick with your plan.

Know what you want, and why you want it

Even if another family member asks you to “make an exception this time” or attempts to make you feel guilty, I encourage you to maintain your boundary. It’s important to understand that setting a boundary is about prioritizing your wellbeing and not about hurting others.

Be gentle but firm in dealing with a loved one with a substance problem.

If you have a friend or loved one struggling with substance use, it’s important to establish appropriate behavior as a boundary beforehand. Make them aware that if they can’t commit to not using substances during the holiday get together, then you prefer they don’t participate.

These are never easy conversations, but the holidays are an opportunity to set limits. Talking in advance can help set the stage: “I don’t like the way you drink when you come for the holidays. Your behavior makes me uncomfortable. I’m not going to have alcohol at my home or I’m going to ask you not to drink while you’re there. If you use, I’m going to ask somebody to take you home.”

If they choose not to come because they can’t drink or use drugs, or they come and are asked to leave because of problem behavior, that could become part of a follow-up conversation. “You’re saying this isn’t a problem, but I asked you not to drink and you either chose not to come to the event or you came, and you drank anyway. Is it possible your substance use is more of a problem than you realized, would you like to talk about it, or would you feel more comfortable with me helping you find someone else to speak to about it?”

If in recovery, map your strategy ahead of time

I recently heard of a situation where the husband is in early recovery and he and his wife will host the holidays this year, with a large extended family. They were struggling with how to set expectations and boundaries in advance. They decided to make it clear to everyone that they will not have any alcohol at their home. They went as far as saying that if anyone brings alcohol, they will not serve it.

Whatever the scenario, communication and preparation during the holiday season is essential. The best approach is to set boundaries ahead of time. This manages expectations for all involved. Boundaries are not always easy, but you may find that many people are supportive. Some might not understand, and we must reconcile ourselves to that. Trying to please everyone at the expense of yourself is a recipe for disaster. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary stress, anxiety and emotional pain and give yourself the gift of a truly happy and healthy holiday season.

Penn Support

If you or a family member are struggling with addiction, creating boundaries, or navigating difficult conversations, help is available now.

Penn’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Health Advocate EAP counselors can help you identify the right providers and facilities that treat addiction and locate support groups for you. Call 1-866-799-2329.

All Penn medical plans offer substance abuse care including inpatient, outpatient, and detoxification treatment with qualified professionals such as the Caron Treatment staff.

Visit MindWell at Penn for additional resources.

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, 2024.

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.

Updates to Penn’s Retirement Plans in 2025

Thanks to new retirement plan features introduced by the IRS, staff and faculty will be able to save even more money for the future and have greater access to contributions in times of need. To support your retirement savings, Penn will add these new features to the University of Pennsylvania Basic and Matching Plan and the Supplemental Retirement Annuity Plan of the University of Pennsylvania, effective January 1, 2025.

Super Catch-Up for Ages 60-63

Plan participants who turn 60-63 years old at any time in the calendar year will be able to make more contributions via the new super catch-up provision. In 2025, the super-catch up allows you to add up to $11,250 to the standard contribution limit, so participants in this age group may defer up to $34,750.

For Plan participants ages 50-62 and 64+, the standard catch-up applies, which will remain at $7,500 in 2025.

2025 Contribution Limits

Age range	2025 Standard IRS Limit	2025 Catch-Up	2025 Total Limit
Ages 49 and below	$23,500	none	$23,500
Ages 50-62 and 64+	$23,500	$7,500	$31,000
Ages 60-63	$23,500	$11,250	$34,750

These IRS limits apply to your deferrals into any qualified retirement plans in 2025, not just to Penn’s plans.

To update your contribution election in TIAA’s enrollment system, enter the percentage of your base gross pay that you want to be contributed to the retirement plan each pay period. Just include the total amount you want to contribute, including any catch-up or super catch-up. You don’t need to make a separate election for the catch-up or super catch-up in TIAA’s enrollment system. For more information, please contact the TIAA Retirement Call Center at 877-736-6738.

New Withdrawal Options

We understand that sometimes emergencies happen. New retirement plan options will go into effect in 2025 to help you in case you need additional funds.

Loans and Hardship Withdrawals
Hardship Withdrawals

In addition to the IRS features above, Penn will make the following updates to its retirement plan withdrawal and loan provisions:

In-Service Withdrawals

In-service withdrawals from the Matching and Supplemental Plans will be permitted at age 59 ½. In-service withdrawals of money rolled into the Matching and Supplemental Plans, as well as after-tax contributions, will be permitted regardless of age. (Note that after-tax contributions are different from Roth contributions. In-service withdrawals of Roth contributions will be permitted at age 59 ½ as noted in the first bullet point above.) In-service withdrawals from the Basic Plan will continue to be permitted at age 70 ½.

Roth In-Plan Conversions Will Be Available

Roth in-plan conversions will be allowed in the Matching and Supplemental Plans. For more information about Roth in-plan conversions and their tax ramifications, please contact the Retirement Call Center at 877-736-6738 or schedule an appointment with a TIAA retirement plan consultant at TIAA.org/schedulenow.

Help Is Available

As always, we encourage you to meet with a TIAA retirement plan consultant or other qualified financial professional to discuss how a loan and withdrawal could impact your retirement savings goals. You can ask general questions and schedule a consultation at 877-736-6738. For more information about TIAA’s services, visit TIAA.org.

Corrections: This article originally stated that the super catch-up was available to participants who were age 60-63 at any time in the year. That is incorrect. The super catch-up is available to participants who turn 60-63 at any time in the year. The article also stated incorrectly that in-service withdrawals from the Basic Plan would be available at age 59 ½. In-service withdrawals from the Basic Plan will continue to be permitted at age 70 ½.

Healthy Meals: Harvest Grain Bowl

Are you looking for a protein-packed meal to satisfy your cravings. With its hearty mix of grains, fresh veggies, and savory seasonings, this Harvest Grain Bowl adds a refreshing change to your lunch routine. Plus, it’s easy to prepare ahead of mealtime.

Click here to send us your healthy recipes and tips.

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked grain of choice (brown or wild rice, quinoa, farro, etc.)
1-2 cups kale, stems removed and chopped
1 cup roasted Brussels sprouts (or vegetable of choice)
1 cup roasted sweet potato
8 ounces leftover chicken or other lean protein
2-3 tablespoons dried cranberries
1/2-1 ounces walnuts, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1-2 ounces feta cheese

Directions:

For roasting veggies: preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add halved Brussels sprouts and cubed sweet potatoes to baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tsp oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Roast for 20-30 minutes or until veggies are fork tender.
For the grains: prepare according to package directions
For the bowl: combine all ingredients, toss and enjoy! Makes 2 servings.

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: Future Working Dogs Need Foster Homes

The Penn Vet Working Dog Center (PVWDC) seeks volunteer fosters to help raise and train future detection dogs, including Urban Search & Rescue Dogs and Law Enforcement Dogs. Fosters range from suburban singles to Philadelphia families with children. PVWDC provides all the food, crates, toys, and medical care the puppies need. To learn how you can foster a pup, please fill out the PVWDC Foster Family Survey or contact Foster Program Coordinator Sarah Gally at sgally@upenn.edu or 215-898-2200.

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