Author: MSU Human Resources

Have You Heard About Care.com?

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The WorkLife Office helps the university community be productive on campus while managing the inevitable demands of personal life. An example of a service provided through the office is Care.com.  This is a resource for the MSU community that can help you find childcare, housekeepers, pet care, senior/elder care support, even house sitters. Work-life issues are complex and diverse. Care.com is a tool that enables MSU staff, faculty and students to be high performing while solving the work-life puzzle of needs throughout the lifecycle, from childcare to elder care.

The Care.com website allows you to view detailed profiles of care providers and you can search according to your requirements: ZIP code, experience, hourly rate, availability and more. Care.com gives individuals 24/7 access to qualified care providers for every day, occasional or back-up care. Users can either search for providers or post a job to have candidates apply directly.

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Care.com is concerned about security and therefore includes safeguards. They conduct criminal background checks, and provide reviewed profiles and recorded references, which adds confidence when you make decisions regarding personal family care needs.

Measures of success

The MSU community has embraced Care.com. In a recent survey, 87% of respondents who tried to hire help through Care.com succeeded, and 95% of MSU respondents said they would recommend Care.com to a friend or colleague at the university.

How do you access the service?

Enter the MSU portal so you will not be charged for the service, then log in with your MSU Net ID to be identified as an MSU affiliate.

The search service is free, wages for care providers are negotiated between the provider and the user.

Want to Become Nicotine- or Tobacco-Free?

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Are you thinking about quitting tobacco or nicotine products? If so, you should consider attending an information session about the MSU Breathe Easy: Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation program.

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Take control of your tobacco or nicotine addiction, register for Breathe Easy today!

Quitting tobacco and nicotine products is extremely difficult. That being said, this program is available to provide the support that you need to make this change. Nearly 30 percent of MSU Breathe Easy participants have remained nicotine free. This is an excellent figure when you consider the fact that other cessation methods report success rates between 3 and 12 percent.

The next information session is Wednesday, January 25, 2017 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Olin Student Health Services Building. To register for the information session, you and/or your adult benefits-eligible family members should call Health4U at 517-353-2596, send an email to Health4U@msu.edu or register in person at 330 Olin Health Center.

Attending this information session does not obligate you to enroll in the Breathe Easy program. This session is only meant to provide you with information so you can decide if the program is the right fit for you. Both the information session and the Breathe Easy program are free for benefits-eligible MSU employees and their adult benefits-eligible family members. The total time commitment for the program is 17 hours, which is spread out over the course of the 15-month program commitment. You will not be required to use your own time accruals to participate in the Breathe Easy program, so long as you are compliant with attendance at the meetings and your supervisor approves release time.

A limited number of off-campus employees now have the option to participate in the program via teleconferencing. Participants will join the information session, support sessions and medical-related sessions through Zoom. If you’re interested in participating remotely, let Health4U know when you register for the information session.

Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – It’s more than just the winter blues

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Do you find yourself feeling down or sluggish when winter comes around? Well, you’re not alone. Many people are impacted by seasonal affective disorder (SAD) each year, around the time fall transitions to winter. SAD is a type of mild depression that can be caused by a decrease in sunlight that offsets your biological clock, a drop in serotonin levels or unbalanced levels of melatonin, which can affect sleep patterns and mood.

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Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Symptoms of SAD include:

  • Irritability
  • Tiredness or low energy
  • Problems getting along with other people
  • Hypersensitivity to rejection
  • Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs
  • Oversleeping
  • Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
  • Weight gain

However, you don’t have to simply “deal with” these winter blues. MSU Extension offers several ways to help overcome SAD this winter. One thing you can do is manage stress by planning ahead and not taking on too much during these dreary months. Also, try to be mindful and don’t fixate on negative thoughts. Another tip is to exercise and eat healthy. Exercising regularly can relieve stress, improve memory, help you sleep better and boost your mood. Eating the right foods can keep you feeling full longer and give you energy to take on the day. You should also try to participate in activities you enjoy and surround yourself with positive people.

Additionally, there are medical means to combat SAD if your symptoms are more severe. Be sure to consult with your doctor for medical advice.

For more information on SAD and tips to overcome it, visit MSU Extension’s website.

Events Round-Up January 2017

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Here are some events happening over the next month that may be of interest to MSU faculty and staff. Please visit the links for more information. Many events require registration.

Community Events

Friday, January 6

January Zoom Family Night!, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Impression 5 Science Center

Saturday, January 7

Family Day: Transformation, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

Lansing Symphony Orchestra Masterworks 3: Dvorak Cello Concerto, 8 p.m., Wharton Center for Performing Arts

Tuesday, January 10 – Sunday, January 15

The Wharton Center Presents: Beautiful~The Carole King Musical, various times, Wharton Center for Performing Arts

Friday, January 13

Howl at the Moon at Harris Nature Center, 7 p.m., Harris Nature Center

Saturday, January 14

Cross Country Skiing Class, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Harris Nature Center

Sunday, January 15

Heritage Jazz Fest, 5 p.m., Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center

Monday, January 16

Greater Lansing Area Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission’s 32nd Annual Luncheon, 11 a.m., Lansing Center

Saturday, January 21

Moonlight Skiing and Snowshoeing, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Harris Nature Center

Sunday, January 22

Polar Bear 5k Run/Walk, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 5151 Marsh Rd Okemos, MI

Development, Training and Wellness

Tuesday, January 10

Accounting in EBS, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Tuesday, January 17

How to Repair Your Credit, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., MSU Federal Credit Union

Wednesday, January 18

Commuting Options: Be “Spartan Green” and save money getting to campus, noon – 1 p.m., Chittenden Hall, Room 110

Tuesday, January 24

Creating An Inclusive Environment, 8:30 a.m. – noon, Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Wednesday, January 25

Building Bridges to Build Your Brand: Women’s Networking Association, 8:30 a.m. –10 a.m., Chittenden Hall, Room 110

Thursday, January 26

Supervisor Strategies for Performance Planning, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Tuesday, January 21

The Spartan Experience, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Year-end Records Tips for Tax Filing

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For some, the end of December brings the need to de-clutter and reorganize their lives before the new year. Unlike many habits, this practice is one people should pick up, especially when pertaining to tax records. TurboTax offers several tips for year-end records and tax filing that can help make April a little easier.

The first tip is to start tracking paperless records as they arrive. Create a spreadsheet dedicated to tax records, and don’t forget items like expense titles, check numbers, payee names, dollar amounts and dates. Also be sure to track potential deductions such as charitable donations, outlays for health care, job-search expenses and unreimbursed work expenses.

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Next, try to think about deductions throughout the year, especially with life events you experience. Maybe keep a mileage log in your car to record the miles you use for volunteering, work, business or medical appointments. Be sure to keep cash receipts that document transportation, charitable work, job-search and other tax-deductible activities. Also, keep documents related to events like the birth or adoption of a child, marriage, death of a spouse or divorce, and buying a home.

Tax returns and supporting documents should be kept for at least seven to 10 years, but consider shredding anything past then. Creating a system for tracking and organizing your tax records, potential deductibles and other documents, while updating it throughout the year, will help make the days leading up to April 18 a little less stressful.

Job of the Week 12/22/16

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This week we are highlighting a Practice Plan Manager (posting #4665) with the MSU Health Team. This position will provide leadership and manage and maintain clinic productivity and performance standards through effective management practices in accordance to HealthTeam goals and objectives; will oversee the management to the HealthTeam clinics to ensure compliance, efficiency and patient satisfaction. This position will also act as a lead EHR resource across all HealthTeam clinics by directing, supervising and coaching regular performance management activities of clinic managers and clinic staff.

For a complete description of this position, and to view all of our current postings, please go to www.jobs.msu.edu and select Support Staff under the Fast Jobs Search.

Health Matters: Depression and Hypothyroidism

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Are you feeling chronically fatigued or sluggish? Have you been sleeping too much? Do you lack mental focus? These symptoms are all linked to hypothyroidism as well as depression. Hypothyroidism is a deficiency in the levels of hormones created by your thyroid gland.

Since the indicators of hypothyroidism and depression are similar, doctors sometimes overlook the possibility that a person who is depressed may have low thyroid levels as well. Although they are two separate diseases, depression can be a symptom of hypothyroidism.

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Depression is a common symptom of hypothyroidism.

Other hypothyroidism symptoms include:

  • Slower heart rate
  • Sensitivity to cold
  • Joint or muscle pain or cramps
  • Low blood pressure
  • Weight gain
  • Constipation
  • Dryness or yellowing of the skin
  • Brittle or thick nails
  • Swelling in front of the neck
  • Hair thinning or loss

Because depression is among the more common symptoms of hypothyroidism, it’s imperative that you have an open dialogue with your physician about both your physical and mental feelings. Once you have your diagnosis, Best Doctors can offer a confidential, expert analysis of your case that will give you the facts you need to make informed decisions about your treatment.

If you think you may have hypothyroidism, or are contending with its symptoms, you should take advantage of this service to focus on the best course of action.

Read the full Best Doctors article to learn more.

Thank you Kellogg Center!

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With the holiday season approaching and bringing with it many parties and events, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center staff for all of their hard work!

The Kellogg Center opened in 1951, and since then, the talented staff have been hard at work creating a great space to host a variety of events. In addition to the hotel, the Kellogg Center also offers dining at The State Room, 35,000 square feet of flexible function space, and covered parking for guests. All of these features combined ensure that any event held at the Kellogg Center will be a success.

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Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy 

The Kellogg Center consistently provides outstanding service to all of its guests, and is an amazing venue for everything from awards dinners to academic conferences. The Kellogg Center really does exemplify the ideals of D.O.S.E., and whenever you attend any event held there, you are sure to have an outstanding Spartan experience!

Thank you Kellogg Center staff for all that you do for the MSU community.

Job of the Week 12/16/16

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This week we are highlighting an Athletic Trainer I (posting #4616) with the Division of Sports Medicine. This position will assist physicians in the care of patients including: greeting patients, triaging, performing thorough medical histories, completing comprehensive physical exams, determining a clinical assessment, presenting case information to the physician and documenting all pertinent information into the electronic medical record system. This position will also assure patient information is available and prepared appropriately for their clinic visit, perform telephone and general office duties as an extension of the physician, and maintain clinic efficiency focusing on excellent and evidence based patient care.

MSU Jobs IconFor a complete description of this position, and to view all of our current postings, please go to www.jobs.msu.edu and select Support Staff under the Fast Jobs Search.

Winter Break Dining Hall Hours

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Now that fall semester is over, students will be leaving for winter break and the dining halls on campus will be altering their hours.

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Student employees work at The Gallery. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

The dining hall hours for winter break are as follows:

December 17-22:

Brody Square and The Edge at Akers are open 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

December 23 – January 2:

All dining halls are closed.

January 3:

Brody Square and The Edge at Akers are open 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

January 4-6:

Brody Square and The Edge at Akers are open 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Riverwalk Market at Owen is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

January 7:

Brody and Akers are open 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight.

Riverwalk Market at Owen is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Heritage Commons at Landon, The Vista at Shaw and Holmes are open 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

South Pointe at Case is open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Gallery at Snyder / Phillips and Wilson are open 5 p.m. to midnight.

January 8:

Normal hours resume.

To find additional information about winter break dining hours, visit the Eat at State website.