Happy (and Safe!) Eating

Picture of holiday-type foodIt is the time of year when there are lots of holiday gatherings where food is served.  As we graze our way through potlucks, office parties, family gatherings and meals with friends, it’s good to keep some food safety tips in mind at this time of year. Many experts agree you can greatly decrease your risk of getting sick from food (or making others sick with your culinary creations) by paying attention to some food rules in the following four areas: Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill.

Clean: The first rule of food preparation is to keep things clean by washing your hands, your utensils, all surfaces that come in contact with food and some (but not all) foods thoroughly. (Avoid rinsing or washing raw meat and poultry, though, as that tends to just spread bacteria around to other surfaces.)Continue Reading… Happy (and Safe!) Eating

Time Mastery Tips, Part Two

Are there phone calls you’ve been putting off? Or a task that you just can’t decide where to begin? We’re all guilty of procrastination! Today’s time mastery tip explains Lois Wolfe-Morgan’s “do it now” principle. Check out the video with her tips here!

Look for classes on time management and other offerings by Lois-Wolfe-Morgan this spring in the SpartansLearn catalog.

Useful link: Time Mastery Tips, Part One

This Week’s Event Round-Up 12/19/11

We’ve rounded up a variety of events going on this week that may be of interest to MSU faculty and staff! Please visit the links for more information. Many events require registration.

Tuesday, December 20

Holiday Camp, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Turner-Dodge House

FREE Group Cycling class, 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., IM West

Wednesday, December 21

Benefits/Retirement Orientation, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., 125 Nisbet

Thursday, December 22

FREE Group Cycling class, 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., IM West

Friday, December 23 – Sunday, December 26

University Closed

Do you have an upcoming event you’d like us to consider posting? Email us at hrcommteam@hr.msu.edu!

Golf in All Seasons at Forest Akers

On a typical afternoon at the Forest Akers driving range, you’ll see golfers of all ages. Children, college students, adults and seniors…everyone seems to know how to pick up a club and swing away!

Steve Ruthenberg
Steve Ruthenberg, manager of Forest Akers golf courses, at the heated driving range. Photo courtesy of University Relations.

If you’re looking to practice your swing, head on over to the driving range located at the Forest Akers East course. Think it’s too cold for golf? Forest Akers has you covered! In 2009, Forest Akers opened its all-weather driving range. The facility is the first of its kind in mid-Michigan and offers 18 stalls for golfers to practice comfortably all year long. Each covered stall is equipped with overhead heaters. Come sleet, snow or rain, the driving range will remain open.Continue Reading… Golf in All Seasons at Forest Akers

Job Posting of the Week! 12/15/11

This week we’re highlighting an Executive Secretary II position in Residential and Hospitality Services – Facilities (Posting #5580).  Some of the job duties for this position include interacting with administrators, staff, faculty, students and the public in order to represent the supervising administrators; monitoring and reporting departmental personnel and budgetary matters; and providing secretarial support for individual administrators.  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.

Keep Moving this Winter with MSU Group Cycling

A great way to stay motivated about exercising during the cold weather is trying out a group cycling class at MSU’s Recreational Sports and Fitness Services Facilities. There’s no better way to keep fit and relieve stress this holiday season than exercising in a group! Gather some friends and move to the beat of your favorite songs.

Royalty Free Music provided by Danosongs.comContinue Reading… Keep Moving this Winter with MSU Group Cycling

Employee Engagement Leads to Better Decisions

Nobody wakes up in the morning thinking, “Today at work, I’m going to make some uninformed decisions that blindside my team and create chaotic unintended consequences for my unit!”  Some days things just turn out that way.  But having good employee engagement practices can help limit the time your team loses grappling with or grumbling over the consequences of poor decisions.Thought Bubble: Can I Get Your Thoughts?

“Employee engagement means involving people in decision-making processes when the results of those decisions will affect them,” said Dawn Hecker, who leads MSU Human Resources’ organizational development team and consults with units on participatory management practices.  “It also means understanding that the best ideas don’t always come from the top.  When you take the time to seek input from others at all levels of the organization, you often are rewarded with creative and innovative ideas you might have otherwise missed.”Continue Reading… Employee Engagement Leads to Better Decisions

This Week’s Event Round-Up 12/12/11

We’ve rounded up a variety of events going on this week that may be of interest to MSU faculty and staff! Please visit the links for more information. Many events require registration.

Tuesday, December 13

LCT Class, Avaya Telephone Training, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., 140B Public Safety Building

Rock of Ages begins, 7:30 p.m., Wharton Center Cobb Great Hall

 Wednesday, December 14

Collegiate Merchandise Sale, 9 a.m. –  4 p.m., MSU Union Gold Rooms A&B (second floor)

U Can Quit Support Group, Noon to 1 p.m., 248 Olin Health Center

Relaxing Under the Stars, 12:10 p.m. – 12:50 p.m., Abram’s Planetarium

Friday, December 16

Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” Award Nominations Due

Saturday, December 17

Open auditions for MSU children and youth choirs, 9 a.m. – Noon

Sunday, December 18

“Face to Face” Family Mask Making Activity, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., MSU Museum Main Gallery

How Do I Enroll or Change My Direct Deposit?

Direct deposit is available for all University employees. The University will deposit your paycheck electronically into an account you designate at any financial institution within the U.S. If you want to save yourself time and reduce paper, you should consider enrolling in the direct deposit program.

To enroll in direct deposit or to edit your current direct deposit information:Continue Reading… How Do I Enroll or Change My Direct Deposit?