Four icons of health symbols: 1. a heart symbolizing love with a heartbeat going through, 2. a pill bottle, 3. a tooth, 4. an eye

It’s Time to Choose Your Benefits for 2022: Your Open Enrollment Checklist

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October is just around the corner, which means the MSU Benefits Open Enrollment period (October 1-31, 2021) is about to begin for benefits-eligible employees. Please use the following checklist to help guide you through Open Enrollment and be sure to make your benefit selections for the 2022 plan year between October 1-31, 2021.

1. Determine your benefit needs

During Open Enrollment, you may enroll in, change or cancel coverage in the following benefits:

  • Health
  • Dental
  • Flexible spending accounts (health and/or dependent care)
  • Life or accidental death and dismemberment Insurance
  • Some voluntary benefits, including vision, legal and critical illness insurance

Make sure you review the Open Enrollment guide carefully and choose the best benefit plans for your family. Find Open Enrollment guides on the HR website.

2. Complete the spouse/other eligible individual (OEI) affidavit

If you want to cover a spouse/OEI on your benefits plan, you MUST complete the affidavit online through the EBS Portal every year. Find instructions for completing the affidavit as part of Open Enrollment here.

3. Review the changes for next year’s plans

Changes for the 2022 plan year include:

  • Increase to Maximum Benefit for Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: You can enroll in AD&D coverage at 1 to 10 times your annual salary, up to a maximum of $1,500,000 for the employee (increased from 1,000,000), $750,000 for a spouse/OEI (increased from 600,000), or $100,000 per child (no change). Additionally, various benefit enhancements are included for the 2022 plan year. Learn more about AD&D insurance in the open enrollment guides on the HR website.
  • Upgrades to Critical Illness Insurance Coverage Effective January 1, 2022: The upgraded plan offers more benefits with coverage for different, distinct medical conditions. Contact MSU Benefits Plus at 888-758-7575 or visit MSUBenefitsPlus.com for details. If employees are currently enrolled and do not change their coverage election during open enrollment, their plan will be upgraded automatically as of January 1, 2022.

4. Make your changes online before October 31

If you want to make changes to your benefits selections and/or cover a spouse/OEI on your benefits plans, you must participate in Open Enrollment from October 1-31, 2021. Find enrollment instructions here.

5. Ask questions at the MSU Benefits Fair or HR site labs

Please Note: events are subject to change at any time due to the pandemic. Please review the most updated details on the HR website.

We hope this checklist is helpful as you prepare for and participate in Open Enrollment this year. You can find all the details about Open Enrollment on the HR website, including links to the appropriate benefits guide, enrollment instructions, and detailed benefits information.

Questions? We’re happy to help! We encourage you to get in touch via phone or email. Limited in-person help will be available by appointment only. Please call or email the HR Solutions Center at 517-353-4434 or SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu to make an appointment or ask a question.

Job of the Week: Office Coordinator I

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring an office coordinator position (posting 730929) through the MSU College of Human Medicine – Flint. 

This support staff position will directly support human resources and financial activities as directed by the Division of Public Health administrator. Responsibilities span the administration of education, research and outreach and include tasks that involve HR, Finance, Operations and Research Administration. Duties include the facilitation of request execution from Flint researchers and teams. This is done by coordinating the human resources activities and requests from all positions and classifications. The position will also complete and submit position requests for faculty, academic staff and support staff, becoming the unit resource for faculty and lead staff on position descriptions and job classifications. More HR responsibilities include tracking the entire background check and I-9 process from initiation to completion, preparing and scheduling onboarding, office spaces and technology for new hires, communicating with candidates as needed, liaising with HR for the College of Human Medicine and Central HR through the entire process and managing all bi-weekly payroll. Some of the position entails processing documentation like SAP and other HR forms including reappointments, change of status, special payment, overload and outside work for pay, performance excellence and annual review forms. Other office tasks involved with the position include budget allocation and mail distribution. For a full list of responsibilities, click here. 

Applicants interested in this role should have knowledge equivalent to what would be acquired in the first two or three years of college, technical school or a related field and six months to one year of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in customer service. Any other equivalent combination of education and experience is also permitted. The desired qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree in human resources, three to five years of academic human resources, familiarity with MSU and the hiring process, experience in operational administrative functions of academia, the ability to work independently, communication and collaboration skills and a working knowledge of the Microsoft Suite, including but not limited to Word, Access and Excel. 

To read more about the department of this position, visit ​​https://flintmed.msu.edu/. Learn more about the position and apply by September 14 here. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu. 

an open empty notebook next to an iphone and a macbook on a white desk

Adapting Your Goal-Driven Approach During Times of Change

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Whether the goals are short-term or lifelong, SMART or HARD, goal setting is a key component of our professional lives. At MSU, we go through various aspects of the Performance Excellence process throughout each year—from annual reviews to performance planning and everything in between—with goals as a primary benchmark against which we measure accomplishment.

If you’re accustomed to setting and meeting goals as a barometer of success, the COVID-19 pandemic has likely thrown you for a loop. Perhaps you had goals this past year that were impossible to achieve due to COVID-19 restrictions. Maybe you’ve had to relearn how to manage your daily tasks, let alone your goals, due to major changes in your workspace, be it on campus or virtual. It may benefit you to take the time to reexamine your approach to setting and meeting goals—whether for yourself or, if you’re a supervisor, for your employees—and how that may have shifted due to the pandemic.

Goals Are Tools, Not Anchors

To move beyond the countless disruptions and redefine who we are in our everchanging world, goals remain a crucial element to help us maintain purpose, focus and motivation. However, the rapid changes over the past 18 months have served as an important reminder that our goals should serve as tools, not anchors.

Goals can be powerful things, and the pursuit of them may drive you to do your best work and accomplish what might have previously seemed unattainable. While focusing on your goals may lead to success, focusing too single-mindedly on a goal and becoming overly attached to the outcome of your work can put you at risk when forces outside your control are unstable and unpredictable.

Instead of viewing a goal as a fixed North Star that keeps you stubbornly set on a specific endpoint, no matter what the circumstances, try instead to view your goals as flexible targets that allow for adaptability while still providing a framework and path toward achievement.

Own Your Goals

To benefit the most from your goals, never let your goals own you. You have the choice and ability to adapt your plans and goals and detach from the outcomes when necessary. This doesn’t mean being disinterested or disengaged but rather reprioritizing and not allowing any one goal or outcome to give you your sense of worth.

When we can release our own expectations about how things are “supposed” to be, we can engage with what’s actually happening and work to achieve our goals in ways that better align with the circumstances we can’t control. When you become too attached to an outcome that’s out of your hands, you risk missing the benefits of all the hard work you’ve put into reaching your goals if the end result isn’t quite what you planned.

Re-align Your Priorities

If you’ve found your professional identity has become upended during the pandemic, it may be helpful to examine your priorities and revisit your goals. You may be working from what organizational psychologist, Dr. Tasha Eurich, describes as a flawed goal-outcome formula in which you’re too attached to outcomes that are fully or partially out of your control.

Eurich notes that the pandemic has led to many of us losing parts of our identity that once defined us, which can be profoundly destabilizing. Unplanned changes to the routines that helped us navigate our days, our work location, or our ability to accomplish our goals may have us questioning who we are and how the world works.

Give yourself and your colleagues grace as we navigate this uncertainty and work to realign our priorities with our goals in ways that offer adaptability and healthy challenges. It may be helpful for supervisors and employees to review previously established goals through the lens of “goals as tools, not anchors” and see if any adjustments can be made to lead to greater engagement and effectiveness.

Additional information about Performance Excellence at MSU, including goal setting tips, a professional development impact map, and an expectation development worksheet, is available for both employees and supervisors. Looking for additional guidance? Contact Organization and Professional Development at prodev@hr.msu.edu to learn about other upcoming opportunities.

Recommended elevateU Resources

How to Build a Learning Mindset (2-minute elevateU video)

Insight: The Surprising Truth About How Others See Us, How We See Ourselves, and Why the Answers Matter More Than We Think  (elevateU book summary)

Live Event: The Power of Insight: How Self-Awareness Helps Us Succeed at Home and in Life  (Recording of 60-minute elevateU live event presented by Dr. Tasha Eurich)

Saving Time by Setting Goals (24-minute elevateU virtual course)

Tips to Establish and Maintain Healthy Boundaries

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There’s much talk about burnout lately, and with good reason. Studies show that job stress is by far the major source of anxiety for American adults and has escalated progressively over the past few decades. The employees who are generally the happiest and most productive, no matter the external circumstances, are those with firm boundaries.

Although setting healthy boundaries is a crucial part of life, it’s not easy for many of us. Establishing and maintaining boundaries—be they mental, emotional or physical—is a skill set and, like any skill, it needs to be developed. If you’re not used to setting limits, you might feel guilty or selfish when you first start out. Here are tips to help you set and stick to healthy boundaries to protect your time, energy and well-being.

1) Audit Your Existing Boundaries

Start by taking some time to examine your existing boundaries, or lack thereof, to help provide clarity around where you need to set different or stronger limits. Take note of when people or situations cause you stress and anxiety. If you find yourself feeling angry, resentful or guilty when you interact with certain colleagues or perform specific aspects of your job, that’s a red flag that you may need to set a firm boundary or communicate it more clearly.

2) Redefine Your Boundaries

Once you’ve examined your existing boundaries, it’s time to determine your new and improved boundaries and top priorities. Think about what needs to occur to best protect your time and general well-being. Consider your priorities both at and outside of work. Whether you’re trying to advance at work or just get through your to-do list by the end of the week, prioritize the tasks that will help you get there. This can help you become more aware of situations in which your existing boundaries are not working and allow you to discover how you can better allocate your time and energy.

3) Communicate Your Boundaries

Boundaries can vary greatly from person to person, so it’s important to set clear expectations and confidently communicate them with your team. Easy ways to better protect your time could include putting a note in your email signature stating the specific hours during which you answer emails and blocking off time on your calendar to ensure you can get to your top priorities.

4) Set Consequences

Once you communicate and start to stick to your established boundaries, don’t be surprised or disheartened if you find others initially respond negatively. This is usually a sign that your boundary is necessary and working effectively. Prep for these situations by visualizing your boundaries being crossed and imagine how you’ll react. Then, when a moment like that arises, you’ll be able to handle it rationally versus emotionally. When a boundary gets violated, address it immediately. Calmly reinforce your limits in the moment rather than wait.

5) Say “No”

Are you the type of person who says “yes” to every request at work, regardless of your existing workload and capacity to take on more? Learning to say “no” is a powerful skill that helps you enforce your boundaries and keep your goals a priority. Saying “no” can be a challenge for many of us because it seems negative—something that may bring harm to our career or alienate us from our colleagues—but “no” works in the opposite way. It allows for clarity and communicates your top priorities and commitments to others. If you say “yes” when you do not mean it, you will follow through with resentment, often leading to poor work quality, weakened relationships with colleagues, and feelings of stress and overwhelm.

Setting healthy boundaries that are right for you will help define your individuality and show others situations for which you will and will not hold yourself responsible. Remember that it’s equally important to respect the boundaries that others have set for themselves. Take small steps to set and maintain boundaries and respect the boundaries of others by communicating clearly and consistently, gaining clarity for yourself and holding firm to your areas of focus. The process will become easier and easier as you practice these skills.

Find resources below to get you started, and know there are many additional services available to you as an MSU employee if you’d like further assistance, including Organization and Professional Development, the WorkLife Office, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Health4U, 

Upcoming OPD Courses (Live, Online Format)

Everything DiSC: Behavior Styles at Work

Identify and Maximize Your Strengths

The Power of Habit

SourceLive Articles

Burnout: How to Avoid It and What to Do if You’re Experiencing It

Unplugged: How to Disconnect from Work and Enjoy Your Vacation

Sources

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2019/07/18/10-ways-to-set-healthy-boundaries-at-work/?sh=4628a9267497

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/04/06/how-to-set-professional-boundaries-to-protect-your-time/?sh=2890f032e36b

https://mint.intuit.com/blog/early-career/setting-boundaries-at-work/

https://positivepsychology.com/great-self-care-setting-healthy-boundaries/

Job of the Week: Secretary III

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a Secretary III position (posting 729741) through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The ideal candidate for this position is a professional, energetic self-starter whose strengths include attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and great ability to work with others of diverse backgrounds. A typical day for the secretary may include supporting the graduate, undergraduate and other programs within the department, organizing both monthly and annual department events, and supporting the financial and travel transactions within the unit.

The knowledge required for position includes a high school education or equivalent, three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in maintaining accounting ledgers and/or experience in word processing, spreadsheet, database and/or desktop publishing software. This job may require knowledge of presentation and web page software and technical or medical terminology and/or technical training related to the field of employment.

Additional qualifications that are desired for the position include knowledge of MSU policies and procedures as they relate to graduate students, undergraduate students, and hiring practices. For a full list of responsibilities and qualifications, click here.  

The working hours for this position are 40 hours per week scheduled Monday through Friday, 8am through 5pm. To apply for this position, prepare your resume, cover letter, and three professional references.

To learn more about the department recruiting for this position, visit egr.msu.edu/bae. Learn more about the position and apply by September 14 here. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu.

Job of the Week: Library Assistant III

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a library assistant position (posting 725988) through the MSU Libraries Unit. 

This support staff position is part of the copy cataloging team of the MSU Libraries (MSUL). The team focuses on cataloging and metadata services and they are searching for a highly focused, detail oriented candidate to search for, evaluate, and edit descriptions of library resources for the MSUL catalog. Any new member of the copy cataloging team will work with other Technical Services staff and contribute to timely access of library materials. They will catalogue a variety of monographic resources using existing records which require moderately complex editing decisions in order to ensure accuracy and bring into compliance with national standards and library system requirements. The selected candidate will also participate in inter-team projects and special working groups as needed. For a full list of responsibilities, click here.

Applicants interested in this role should have knowledge normally acquired in the first two or three years in college, technical, vocational or business school, or one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in an office setting. Other requirements include experience in record keeping; data entry and retrieval; database, spreadsheet, word processing, composing, editing and proofreading web pages; knowledge of library automation support; recent experience in an academic library, large public library or large government library; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The desired qualifications include familiarity with library services platforms and OCLC Connexion; experience searching, reviewing and editing MARC records; some knowledge of national cataloging standards; reading-level proficiency in a non-English language; attention to detail; ability to work autonomously; aptitude for learning, remembering and consulting the various standards, policies, procedures and best practices that govern copy cataloging work; experience serving the needs of library patrons; and experience working with bibliographic information. 

A day in this position could involve reviewing materials acquired by MSUL, searching databases and comparing a range of data points and performing routine tasks in library software systems to make materials accessible to library users. The working hours are 40 hours per week scheduled Monday through Friday, 7am through 7pm. To apply for this position, you must submit a resume. Cover letters are optional. 

To read more about the department of this position, visit lib.msu.edu. Learn more about the position and apply by September 7 here. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu. 

The MSU Surplus Store is Back!

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A special hidden gem on campus is back for the fall, and the possibilities are endless for your home, office and learning! That’s right, the Michigan State University Surplus Store has reopened, and on Fridays from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM you can go in person to check out what’s in stock and on sale. 

Operating under Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, the Surplus Store is a great resource for MSU students, employees and faculty. Store employees take the time to visit buildings and facilities across campus to see where there are items in a surplus and whatever is no longer needed, take it to their store, give it the love it needs, and then resell to the campus community for a reduced rate.

The store also prides itself on their zero waste policy, meaning that if they collect something that cannot be resold, they recycle it for parts at their onsite recycling center. If you are interested in learning more about the center, visit their website here. 

As employees are gearing up to head back to the office at MSU, or planning for another semester at home, give your space a spruce-up with a new desk, a computer monitor or a bookshelf. If the item you purchased is large and heading to your on-campus space, the store will deliver it to your department for free. Maybe you are looking to pick up a new hobby this year. Use the Surplus Store to grab a new pair of running shoes and hit the trails, a raised garden plot to grow flowers, herbs, or pumpkins for the fall season or a camera and tripod to take pictures of our beautiful campus. Whatever you may be looking for this fall, make sure you check what’s new and for sale by visiting https://msusurplusstore.com/. 

Did you know you can shop at the MSU Surplus Store online? With both an eBay Account and an Amazon Storefront, you can use your rewards and Amazon Prime on items at the store. The biggest feature on these online sites are textbooks, so if you are a student or have a student at home, visit these sites before purchasing your books at full price somewhere else!

As the Surplus Store works towards a zero waste benchmark, it partners with other departments to get there, too. One of these departments is the Forestry Department, where artisans create new products out of tree waste from campus and surrounding areas. Check out the beautiful pieces you can purchase here. If you are interested in buying produce and other food items that are locally sourced through the MSU community, you can do that here. Grab honey from Spartan bees, maple syrup from Spartan trees or frozen meat from the large meat packaging program on campus. 

If you have any questions about the surplus store, you can visit their website or go inside at 468 Green Way, East Lansing during their open hours. The Surplus Store continues to collect thousands of items per month for members of the Spartan community so take advantage of that during the upcoming school year!

Job of the Week: Human Resources Generalist

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring an administrator position (posting 726022) through the Department of Human Resources. 

This support staff position is housed primarily on the Solutions Center customer service team that interacts with all HR stakeholder groups to answer questions, problem solve and educate stakeholders on requirements related to MSU policies, work rules, contracts, systems and regulations. The position may cross-train and work with other teams in HR. Some of the position’s specific tasks include explaining and applying federal and state laws, union contracts, and university policies and procedures to provide information, advice and resolve issues for administrative departments, employees and retirees through multiple modes of communication. The staff member will also investigate and respond to inquiries concerning HR issues, which include but are not limited to employment, benefits and eligibility and enrollment, time, attendance and pay, retirement and internal and external audits. Some of the systems that the staff member will be working with include the HR-Payroll System, the Applicant Tracking System, Equifax and the multiple HR databases. Record keeping, including employee records, job posting records, criminal background checks, compliance information and other HR relevant records, is an important part of the position. Finally, any research and special projects including outreach and education are included in the job. For a full list of responsibilities, click here.

Applicants interested in this role should have knowledge equivalent to a normal four-year college degree program in human resources or a related social science, business or related field as well as six months to one year of related and responsible work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The desired qualifications include adaptability, deadline orientation and self motivation with the candidate exhibiting excellent customer service skills. It is desired but not required for the candidate to have some knowledge or experience using some HR-related systems including but not limited to those listed above. Some HR-specific certifications are also desirable. A resume and cover letter should be submitted upon application and references may be requested at a later date. 

To read more about the department of this position, visit https://hr.msu.edu. Learn more about the position and apply by August 24 here. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu. 

Leadership Blog Series: Team Essentials

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Written by Sharri Margraves, Director for HR Organization and Professional Development

Before you had your first formal leadership role, did you believe you would “finally” have the power and authority to get things done the way you want them, when you want them? Or did you think, “What have I done?”

One of the most significant adjustments in leaning into leadership is that there are multiple ways to handle situations, and there are many variables with respect to authority, responsibility and empowerment. Cohesive teams communicate and build trust and one of the most critical teams is the relationship you have with other leaders in your unit.

Your Role in the Team

The truth of the matter is that we all play different team roles across our careers and in every position. Consider this: what have you done to make a new leader (especially new to MSU) welcome and valued, especially when that leader is also a peer? How we participate and engage with others can change depending on the circumstances and our own beliefs about our roles and the influence we carry, but trust me, everyone is watching what you do and say to make your team and colleagues successful.

Leadership expert, John Maxwell, shares that leaders lead up, across, and down in a complex system of teams. Can you picture a leader who leads only through power? A leader who made it very difficult for a new colleague, or minimally, less than helpful? Likewise, you can likely picture an effective leader that does not have positional authority yet is very effective.

Regardless of position, title, or role, everyone has leadership capabilities that can be developed, practiced and honed when they consider leveraging the skills and talents of the team. Helping others see the importance of their roles and contributions will help maximize effectiveness, results and enjoyment for the whole team.

Define Your Strengths and Areas for Growth

Remember, it takes patience and practice to develop. How would you rate yourself on the following questions adapted from HIGH5 leadership?

  1. I take responsibility for the teams I’m on and don’t play the blame game.
  2. I listen more than I talk in team meetings.
  3. I don’t interrupt others or talk over them. I add to the conversation, acknowledging and building on   others’ contributions.
  4. I am reliable and consistent, and my work is on time and of good quality.
  5. I help others if they are struggling.
  6. I can focus on positive solutions rather than making others feel wrong.
  7. I have a connection with the people on the team, knowing about their lives and what is important to them.
  8. I bring enthusiasm and energy to the team rather than bringing people down.
  9. I have worked hard to build trust between me, all my teams, and my organization in general.
  10. I can apologize to my team.

Another helpful resource is the free Team Roles test from Psychology Today. Take this 20-minute assessment to help you summarize your strengths in being a team player. As it’s not geared specifically to leaders, the quiz covers a wide range of team-based situations to share with your staff.

Organization and Professional Development Resources

A number of options—everything from short videos to live, online courses—are available through OPD to assist you in developing as a leader. Looking for further assistance? Contact OPD at prodev@hr.msu.edu for additional course information and customized solutions for you and your team.

Sources

Maxwell, John. The 360° Leader. Summary and excerpt available at https://edadm821.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/360_leader.pdf

https://www.high5leadership.com/are-you-a-good-team-player/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/tests/career/team-roles-test

sparty statue in fall

HR Welcomes Colleagues and Students Back to Campus

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Dear Spartan Colleagues,  

We are pleased to welcome everyone to a new academic year. While some added safety measures, including indoor masking and vaccination, have been put in place to protect all of us, we expect a more typical fall semester for our students. Our university is a space for them to engage with peers and faculty for the best possible learning experience and development opportunities. In addition to our first-year students, some of our second-year students will be on campus for the first time—experiencing dorm life, taking in the beauty of the Red Cedar River, and attending exciting campus events. With these added safety measures, we can minimize the spread of COVID-19 and give these Spartans a great start to their academic year. More information regarding these safety measures, including the vaccine verification and exemption forms, can be found on the Together We Will site.

We all have spent the last year and a half navigating our daily lives, careers, education, families, and more during a global pandemic. If you are experiencing the effects of this challenging time, you are not alone. Many resources are available to us—the Wellbeing at Work guide, the Employee Assistance Program and more information can be found on this page of the Together We Will site. As always, and especially during this time, it is important to practice grace and empathy toward our colleagues, students, and visitors. The pandemic has greatly affected all of us in different ways. We are all doing our best—let’s continue to work through this together.  

On behalf of MSU Human Resources and Academic Human Resources, we want to thank each of you for your continued work and dedication to the University, our students, and our land-grant mission. These are challenging times, but Together We Will. We wish you a safe, healthy, and successful academic year. 

Go Green!  

Richard Fanning, J.D., SHRM-SCP 
Interim Associate Vice President and Director of the Office of Employee Relations 
MSU Human Resources 

N. Suzanne Lang, PhD 
Associate Provost and Associate Vice President 
Academic Human Resources