Author: Megan MacGregor

Jeff Brodie is a Management Analyst at MSU Human Resources who was diagnosed with diabetes in 2011. When the Livongo for Diabetes Management program first rolled out as a free benefit to MSU employees and their spouses/dependents, Jeff was one of the first to sign up.

Jeff admits his process for handling his diabetes needed to improve, “Prior to signing up for Livongo, I managed my diabetes primarily by reviewing my A1C numbers (average blood glucose) every three to six months…but unfortunately, the absence of a ‘bad’ number caused me to do very little to manage my condition.” The Livongo program aims to reduce the burden on those living with diabetes by offering technology and support to help members easily manage their health.

Members get a free Welcome Kit which contains the Livongo connected meter, a charger, unlimited free strips/lancets, a convenient carrying case, and optional coaching with a health care professional.

Jeff finds the Welcome Kit and support immensely helpful, “I receive FREE test strips and lancets, and weekly summaries of my results…the best thing is: it keeps a record of every test result that I can put into a spreadsheet and share with my doctor.” Jeff’s favorite part of the program is the unlimited free test strips and lancets – why pay for these supplies when they are available free?

Signing up for the program couldn’t be simpler, “I signed up by phone and it was easy…the Welcome Kit arrived in the mail, I had a phone number or email address handy for questions. And once I got started, it became part of my daily routine to test.” Creating a daily habit to test is a great first step to learn when you may need to make small changes in your diet and/or exercise to improve your overall health.

Jeff admits he could still do more to manage his diabetes, like improve his diet. However, he explains that Livongo, “reminds me that I’m a diabetic, that I should test, and that I should use my test results to make SOME changes in my diet and exercise…This has caused me to make changes in my lifestyle that I otherwise would not have made.” And while Jeff has opted to not use the optional coaching services offered by Livongo, he does occasionally reach out to the coaches via email if he has a question about his numbers, diet or the program.

Understanding how what you eat influences your diabetes is vital to improving your health. As Jeff explains, “Even when I let my food monster win for a day, I’m still aware of being diabetic and the lifestyle changes I must undergo to manage it.” Keeping track of the trends in his numbers has encouraged Jeff to adjust his diet to eat more vegetables and protein and fewer carbs, especially if his results are high.

If you’re unsure if the Livongo program is right for you, consider Jeff’s attitude: “There is nothing to lose at all, and everything to gain. Even if you sign up and do the minimal, you will be healthier than if you didn’t sign up at all.” Your level of participation in the program is entirely up to you, with the option to cancel anytime.

If you have questions or are ready to sign up, visit the Livongo website. Find more testimonials for Livongo here. Do you have your own experience with Livongo? We’d love to hear in the comments below or email us at hrcommteam@hr.msu.edu.

How do you build better relationships at work? Find the right role to fit your talents? Have powerful, constructive conversations? Living your best life begins when you tap into your unique talents. Learn to Identify and Maximize Your Strengths with a new training opportunity available through Organization and Professional Development.

Before this course, you will complete Gallup’s CliftonStrengths online assessment to determine your natural patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The assessment measures your specific order of 34 themes of talent—your “talent DNA.” The odds that someone shares your exact same order of 34 themes are roughly 1 in 259,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Discover what makes you truly unique from everyone else.

When you attend this program, you will:

• Receive your assessment results
• Explore what you naturally do best
• Learn how to further develop these areas

The course instructor will help you understand your customized results, so you can discover what makes you exceptional and maximize your potential. With increased self-awareness and a new language for understanding and expressing what you do best, research has shown that you will be more likely to feel confident, achieve goals, and feel energetic and engaged.

Ready to Sign Up?

The next Identify and Maximize Your Strengths is Wednesday, December 12 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The course is taught by Sabrina Hebeler and Danielle Hook from IPF. More dates for this course will be available soon. Sign up by logging into the EBS Portal and selecting the Courses for Employees at MSU tile under My Career and Training.

There are several events taking place across campus in the week leading up to Veterans Day (Nov. 11) to help honor the military-connected members of the MSU community. The MSU Student Veterans Resource Center, MSU Chapter of the Student Veterans of America, and the MSU Veteran Outreach Committee present the following events:

Daily Lunch and Learn Sessions – Monday, November 5 – Thursday, November 8
Noon – 1:00 p.m., Student Services Building, Room 6, 556 E. Circle Drive, East Lansing

These sessions will cover various veteran experiences including education, employment, military culture, and military families. These sessions are open to anyone. Bring your own lunch. No registration necessary.

ROTC Veterans Day Program – Thursday, November 8
3:30 p.m., MSU Chapel, 636 Auditorium Road, East Lansing

Join the MSU Army and MSU Air Force ROTC units for a short service honoring veterans. Everyone is welcome.

Veterans Day Dinner – Thursday, November 8
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., The Vista at Shaw Hall, 591 N. Shaw Lane, East Lansing

Veterans and current service members will receive a discount on this special dinner honoring all who served – but anyone is welcome to come. Come in your uniform or bring along your proof of service.

Third Annual Veterans Day Program and Brunch – Friday, November 9
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., MSU Student Union Ballroom, 49 Abbot Road, East Lansing

Cap off the week’s events with the third annual Veterans Day brunch program. The event is free but advance registration is required. Everyone is welcome to come. Following opening remarks and brunch, there will be a panel discussion comprised of the four subject matter experts who spoke during the week’s previous Lunch and Learn sessions. They will come together to combine their experiences in a way that paints a picture of the experiences of veterans and their families in the civilian world.

If you are attending Friday’s Veterans Day Program or any of the week’s Lunch and Learn presentations, consider bringing an item or small donation for Operation Gratitude. All donations will go toward sending care packages to active military, military families, veterans and first responders. Find a list of requested donation items on the HR website or use the Operation Gratitude Amazon Wish List.

Carillon Concert – Sunday, November 11
11:00 a.m., Beaumont Tower, 375 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing

In celebration of the Inauguration of Peace Carillon at Park Abbey in Leuven, Belgium, carillonneurs around the world will play A Sacred Suite, a triptych on Gregorian themes by the renowned Flemish carillonneur and composer Geert D’hollander. This special event takes place in local time worldwide on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 100 years after the armistice was signed for the end of World War I.

MSU Museum Exhibit – War and Speech: Propaganda, Patriotism, & Dissent in the Great War
MSU Museum, 409 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing

This exhibit explores the new ways in which Americans understood civic duty and free speech during World War 1. Exhibit runs through November 11, 2018.

Guest post by Sheila J. Bryant, PACDI Chair, President’s Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (PACDI)

Michigan State University is a leader in cultivating a diverse and inclusive campus environment. During October we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month which focuses on “the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents,” according to the Office of Disability Employment Policy. This years’ theme, America’s Workforce: Empowering All, fits right in with the university’s core value of Inclusiveness. It is of the utmost importance that the “university community is one that welcomes the contribution of all its members”.

It is important for everyone to have access to what he or she needs to succeed in the workplace. When one person succeeds, we all succeed. One way we accomplish this here at MSU is via the President’s Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (PACDI). Since 1987, this committee, comprised of faculty, staff, and students from various departments across campus, meets to familiarize themselves with and discuss “university policies, programs, and procedures affecting persons with disabilities”.

The PACDI has been a major force in gathering and presenting information that has influenced the implementation of programs and facilities to assist employees and students with disabilities on campus. One PACDI member served as the lead instructor for the freshman seminar course, Disability in Society, Education and Pop Culture. Additionally, the PACDI met with the Athletic Department to discuss installing accessible seating in the student section of Spartan Stadium. You can learn more about PACDI here.

Open Enrollment for the 2019 plan year ends on Wednesday, October 31. If you haven’t already, be sure to log into the EBS portal to participate. Remember, if you wish to continue coverage for a spouse or other eligible individual (OEI), you must complete the Health Care Affidavit. Find instructions for completing Open Enrollment (including the Health Care Affidavit) on the HR website.

Need to Talk to a Benefits Expert?

If you have questions about your benefits options or would like a Human Resources staff member to walk you through the Open Enrollment process, consider attending one of the HR Site Labs located in Room 125 Nisbet Building:

• Monday, Oct. 29 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Find resources and information about Open Enrollment on the HR website, including benefits guides, enrollment instructions, a how-to enroll video and the ALEX educational tool.

Questions? Contact the HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

The Open Enrollment period is underway (October 1 – 31), and many of you have already logged in to the EBS Portal to make your benefits selections for the 2019 period. To those go-getters who have already participated – well done!

If you’re still reviewing your options, the ALEX educational tool is a helpful resource. This easy-to-use online tool is funny, speaks in plain English (not insurance-talk), and will help you figure out which options best serve you and your family’s needs.

But What if I Still Have Questions About My Benefits Options?

We get it! Choosing your benefits can sometimes be a challenge. Which is why we’re happy to offer the Benefits Fair in October.

MSU Benefits Open Enrollment Fair

Tuesday, October 16 – Noon to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 17 – 7a.m. to 5p.m.
Breslin Student Events Center

Human Resources staff will be available to answer your questions and even help you enroll in your benefits on-site. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to talk with MSU’s benefits vendors.

If you’ve ever had questions about some of our voluntary benefits – like pet, vision or life insurance – now would be the time to ask them. Or, you can learn about the new free benefits options for employees – Livongo (Diabetes Management) and Teladoc (24/7 access to a medical professional). Find a complete list of the vendors attending on the HR website.

Don’t Forget Your Flu Shot at the Fair!

At the fair, the MSU Health Team will be administering the flu vaccine to eligible staff, faculty, retirees and their dependents. There will be no cost to those who have pharmacy insurance coverage, such as those enrolled in MSU health plans. Be sure to bring your prescription benefit card. Learn more about the flu shots here.

Welcome to October! When you think of this month, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Crisp fall air and changing leaves?

Cozy sweaters and scarves?

Pumpkin-spiced lattes and other fall-flavored beverages?

How about the MSU Open Enrollment period?

We know! It’s not as exciting as a salted caramel mocha with a swirl of toffee-nut whipped cream, but it is pretty important. Open Enrollment is the annual period when you can make changes to your MSU benefits for the upcoming calendar year.

Throughout the month of October, you can switch health insurance plans, add or remove dependents from coverage, or enroll in a flexible spending account or voluntary benefits. And if you cover your spouse or another dependent on your plan, don’t forget to complete the Health Care Affidavit during Open Enrollment to continue their coverage for 2019.

Find instructions for how to complete Open Enrollment, including the Health Care Affidavit, here – including a How-To Enroll Video.

And while trying to decide between the maple-pecan muffin or pumpkin scone on your morning coffee run may be hard, choosing your benefits options can be even more challenging. But worry not – ALEX is here to help! This virtual benefits counselor will ask you some questions, take you through your options and provide an easy-to-understand summary of benefits suggestions and estimates. Meet ALEX and review your options here.

To learn more about Open Enrollment, view the employee and retiree open enrollment guides and other detailed information on the HR website.

Questions about Open Enrollment?

The MSU HR Solutions Center staff is available to help you (or recommend their favorite fall-flavored treats) at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434. For long-distance, call toll-free 800-353-4434.

Do you want to learn strategies for processing change or improve your communication skills? Organization and Professional Development (OPD) offers a variety of courses to help you reach your personal and professional development goals and is excited to offer four new courses to MSU staff and faculty.

ESL Advanced Communication Skills – September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18 AND 25, 2018
This course is targeted towards MSU professionals who are advanced speakers of English as a second language. Speaking more than one language is an amazing asset, yet sometimes it can be difficult to find the words or expressions to say exactly what we mean. In this course of six workshops, you will learn oral and written communication strategies, grammar, and guidance for effective personal interaction.

Grammar Essentials – October 18, 2018
Do you struggle with punctuation or choosing the correct words? Do you need help constructing sentences that make sense? This course will help you strengthen your grammar and usage skills and present a more polished, professional image.

Thriving Through Change – October 25, 2018
Change is inevitable. How would you like to thrive through the change and transitions in your life? This course will define what change is and help you understand the stages and reactions to change. Learn techniques and strategies to help you cope with stress and manage the process successfully.

Effective Communication Using Data Visualization – November 14, 2018
Have you ever collected some great data, but weren’t sure how to best convey that information? Quite often, data is presented in simple tables, but not all audiences absorb information in the same way and increasingly bite-sized data points are preferred. That’s where various forms of data visualization come in as a tool to visually communicate complex data that can tell a meaningful story in a small amount of time. Join this interactive introductory course to discuss why visualizing data may be the right tool to use depending on the audience and content. There will be an opportunity to create data visuals using readily available tools, such as Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Ready to Register?
To register, login to the EBS Portal and click on the My Career and Training tab, then the Courses for Employees at MSU tile. Find a complete list of available OPD courses on the HR website.

Sometimes we all need a little support, especially at the start of a new academic year, when new tasks and projects are put on our plates. Sometimes we get into habits that don’t actually help us in our work or in our lives. So now that we are in the flow of a new semester, how do we continue to find the activities and connection points that nourish us? How do we find the moments in our day that revive us rather than drain us? Many of us tend to believe that we “just don’t have time” to take breaks throughout the day, or that we will be more stressed if we don’t go-go-go all day long. The WorkLife Office is here to tell you that moments to recharge are exactly what will help keep your stress and overwhelm at bay. If you want some tips and tricks for better work-life fit, schedule a consultation with our office. Call (517) 353-1635 or email worklife@msu.edu.

The WorkLife Office also has several upcoming opportunities for learning strategies and skills for managing your work-life fit. For instance, at the upcoming Fatherhood Forum on September 28, 2018, you can learn new perspectives and practices for parenting. Then at the WorkLife Office Conference “Building Community in a Culture of Change” on October 16, 2018 you can gain new tools for building relationships and strengthening your foundation in a tumultuous climate of change.

As always, we offer Lunch ‘n Learn programs that cover a wide range of topics, from childcare options to exploring fun things to do at MSU, which can help you to feel steady in life and at work. We also provide professional development and networking opportunities through the Women’s Networking Association and the Academic Women’s Forum. There are many educational opportunities to help you navigate your personal life and career at Michigan State University.

And if you are new to the area, welcome! The WorkLife Office is running an experimental program called the International Newcomer Pilot Program which is designed to help with the transition of MSU faculty and academic specialists when moving to the community from a different country. Volunteers from the Alumni Association and the Retiree Association will be matched to a newcomer faculty or academic specialists to help the new family ease into their new life within the surrounding community. For more information, contact Hutchj@msu.edu.