Author: MSU Human Resources

Put Mental Health First Now and Beyond

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In light of recent events, it’s important to reflect on how you prioritize your mental health, how you talk about it with your supervisors and how supervisors can  support the mental health of their teams. Emphasize rest and recognition, learn about your self-care preferences and learn how to utilize the resources available to you.

Make sure you’re aware of this list of support resources available to MSU employees to help move through this moment:

Why We Prioritize

Mental health should be treated and discussed the same as physical health because they are often connected but rarely given equal priority. To break that cycle, make it a part of your everyday habits and conversations.

Other reasons to prioritize mental health include:

  • Having a demanding job makes it easy to put work over mental and physical health, but it is not worth it in the long run as this can lead to burnout.
  • In a time of mostly online interactions, some of the natural in-person social interactions that are missing can inadvertently lower well-being.
  • Therapy is still stigmatized, and seeking out expert help for your mental health helps release that thinking.

Self-Care Ideas

Becoming burnt out at work is easier than you might think, and the best way to heal from or prevent burnout is to form healthy self-care habits. Engaging in self-care in the simplest terms is making sure that as you prioritize work, you also prioritize adequate sleep, nutrition, meaningful connection, and exercise. Other suggestions for self-care include:

  • Unplug when social media and news get overwhelming.
  • Treat yourself with compassion no matter how you respond to burnout.
  • Enjoy the little things like a walk outside or some cuddles with your pet. 
  • If you’re on campus and looking for a nice spot to rest, check out this incredible Campus Meditation Map created by Beal Scholar student Anhad Viswanath.
  • Close your laptop at the end of the workday and do your best not to open it again until the morning.
  • Seek out help from an expert rather than solely relying on yourself or your team for mental health related answers.

Start the Conversation with Your Team

You don’t have to be the supervisor on your team to start a discussion around mental health. Use empathy to address situations regarding mental health and give your coworkers space to speak openly about their experience. If you aren’t sure how to start the conversation, use the MSU resources linked below and ease into it.

If you are a supervisor, here are four ways you can show appreciation for your team in support of their mental well-being:

  1. Show sincere interest in the needs, hopes, and dreams of other people.
  2. Watch for signs of burnout in yourself and others and consider registering for the WorkLife Office training How to Recognize and Minimize Burnout.
  3. Demonstrate a willingness to help others and refer to appropriate resources.
  4. Lead with compassion to contribute to a welcoming and inclusive workplace culture.

MSU recognizes the value of its employees and to show appreciation for the important work we all do, several departments, including the WorkLife Office, provide a variety of resources to support our well-being: 

Spring Break Discounts

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Contrary to the weather in Michigan, Spring Break for many area schools is quickly approaching. Before finalizing your plans, review your exclusive employee discounts through MSU Benefits Plus to determine if any may be useful to your family.

To access all the discounts, visit the MSU Benefits Plus website and log in or sign up for a free account.

  • First Time Users: Enter your MSU email, click Get Started and fill out the form. You will need your MSU ZPID number, which is located on your MSU Spartan ID Card or in the EBS Portal. Use a capital “Z” when putting in your ZPID number.
  • Existing Users: Enter you email address and click Get Started, then enter your password and click Log In.

Travel

National Car Rental: Enjoy up to 20% off your reservation rate when booking through our exclusive link. Discount automatically applied with the link. 

Tickets at Work: Go someplace new in 2023 with up to 60% off exclusive hotel rates at top destinations worldwide. 

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: As an MSU employee, you will save up to 20% off at over 8,000 participating hotels worldwide.

Universal Orlando Resort: Save on multi-day ticket packages to Universal Studios Orlando when you book through our exclusive link! 

Entertainment

Premium Seats USA: Save 10% on ticket purchases to professional and collegiate sporting events, including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, golf, auto racing, wrestling and more when you use promo code CORESTREAM. 

AMC Theaters: Save over 40% on E-Tickets at AMC Theatres. AMC Theatres® movie ticket products are good at any AMC Theatres®, AMC® Loews, AMC Showplace, Cineplex® Odeon, Magic Johnson and Star Theatres, excluding Canadian theaters. 

Tiqets: Save over 40% on Museums worldwide. Access top museums across the country and around the world! Save an additional 10% at checkout, just for MSU Employees!

Restaurant.com: Get $25 Restaurant gift certificates for only $5 when you buy through our exclusive link! 

Find these savings as well as many other discounts by visiting the MSU Benefits Plus website. The MSU Benefits Plus Customer Care Team is available to answer questions at 888-758-7575.

America Saves Week 2023

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This week is America Saves Week, an annual event that encourages you to learn and plan for increased savings, lower debt, investing and preparing for retirement. This year’s focus is on financial confidence. America Saves Week defines financial confidence as, “the intersection of building a savings habit, knowing what resources you have available to support your financial stability, and taking advantage of those resources as needed.” 

You can do all this using resources provided to employees by the university and our benefits partners. Both of MSU’s retirement partners, Fidelity and TIAA, offer tips and tricks, courses for financial literacy, and other resources. Through America Saves Week, you also have access to planning tools for managing financial emergencies.

Fidelity Resources

Fidelity provides many resources to MSU employees that can help you learn how to save better and prioritize your financial confidence. You can access your Fidelity account here to get started. Interested in learning the specifics about Fidelity’s rainy day investment and savings plans? Visit their Netbenefits site. Other tools and calculators provided by Fidelity to their MSU members can be found here.

TIAA Resources

If you feel dissatisfied about your current financial situation, TIAA wants to remind you that you are not alone. Read the 2023 TIAA Personal Finance Index and learn that it’s not just you. Some ways to start building financial resiliency with TIAA include contributing to your retirement savings, paying down debt, and growing an emergency fund. According to a survey conducted by TIAA, having more in retirement savings is a top contributor to financial resiliency. Visit the EBS portal to learn more about your contribution options.

Schedule a Virtual Consultation with Fidelity or TIAA

Both Fidelity and TIAA offer virtual appointments with financial consultants. Be sure to set up an appointment to get your questions answered for no additional cost. Set up your Fidelity consulting appointment here or set up your TIAA consulting appointment here.

For general questions about retirement, contact the HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or (517) 353-4434 or visit the HR website. For questions about your specific financial plans, contact your vendor.

March Events Round-Up

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Are you looking for activities for you and your family in the upcoming month? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events

Starts March 5 – ANR Week (free): Join the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and MSU for Agriculture and Natural Resources Week and learn more about one of the largest events of its kind in the nation. 

March 14 – Make & Sustain: Upcycled Planters (free): Decoupage your container with colorful paper provided from MSU Surplus and plant a seed from the Seed Library.

March 19 – SpARTan Wellness: PLAY WITH CLAY (free): Visit the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum to roll, stretch, carve and stamp clay creations.  

March 27 – Composition Reading with Imani Winds (free): Enjoy music from the members of Imani Winds, as they perform works penned by MSU student composers.

March 31 – 2023 MSU Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta Commemoration: Join this event to honor this year’s theme: Remembering and Progressing our Roots. Hear from the keynote speaker and President of United Farm Workers, Teresa Romero.

Learning Opportunities

Starts March 3 – Intentional Parenting – Building a More Meaningful Connection with our Kids (free): This course will help parents explore how to connect with their children through open and honest communication.

Starts March 10 – 15th Annual Muslim Mental Health Conference: This year’s conference aims to acknowledge and honor the history in the field of Muslim mental health, highlight and share current insights and wisdom and set sights on the future of the field of Muslim Mental Health.

March 22 – 2023 MSU Women’s Advisory Committee for Support Staff Spring Forum: Building Bridges of Spartan Connections: This forum will focus on Building Bridges of Spartan Connections with a keynote address by HR’s very own Christina K. Brogdon, PHR, MSU’s Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.

March 22 – Photo Book Workshop using Microsoft Word (free): Learn how to use Microsoft Word to design a photo book you can print at MSU Libraries Publishing Services.

Health and Wellness

March 2 – Responding to the Tragic Events at MSU (free): In response to the tragic events that occurred at MSU, the WorkLife Office has prepared a training that will discuss the different ways in which we respond to trauma.

Starts March 7 – MSU Grief and Loss Support Group (free): This open conversation with MSU community members will help those dealing with grief. 

March 7 – Ergonomic Best Practices for Workstation Comfort and Safety (free): This Zoom session will explore the basics of ergonomics, injury prevention, how to set up your workstation, standing desk use and stretches/exercises to help reduce the risk of work-related pain.

March 13 – Sleep: Understanding and Optimizing Your Nightly Reboot (free): Explore the benefits of maintaining good “sleep hygiene” and learn how to improve your sleep quality. 

March 16 – Lansing River Walk Trail (free): Join the International Employee Resource Group, in person, for a scenic Spring walk through the Lansing River Trail!

March 23 – Laughing is the Best Medicine (free): Join the Adult Caregivers Employee Resource Group to learn more about caregiving with laughter, mindfulness and explore the social, emotional and physical benefits of laughter.

Family-Friendly Activities

Starts March 3 – Imagine the Moon: Visit the Abrams Planetarium to explore how the moon has inspired human creativity. 

March 4 – Family Day: JOIN (free): Join the MSU Broad Art Museum for their monthly family day. For this month’s theme, come together to deliver a message.

Starts March 5 – In My Backyard: Visit the Abrams Planetarium for an exciting show from children’s entertainer, Fred Penner.

March 13 – Monday Night Open House (free): View insects from all over the world at the MSU Bug House. 

March 21 – Crazy Sock Day: Make Your Own Socks! (free): Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by creating and wearing crazy mismatching socks. 

March 23 – Homeschool Day: Art Field Trip! (free): Connect with other homeschoolers at this day of making, looking and learning designed just for you and your family! All ages are welcome. Kids under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Happy National Clean Out Your Computer Day!

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It’s National Clean Out Your Computer Day, so we wanted to share some tips and tricks for cleaning out your computer. Whether you work remotely or in-person, it’s easy to let your computer organization get away from you. Organization is one of the key components of maintaining a productive workspace, so let’s start with your computer!

Delete unused apps and programs

Don’t let apps and programs you don’t use anymore take up space. Clear out any of these unused items to streamline your computer usage.

Clear up your storage

Find what abandoned projects are using up your storage. You can do this by accessing your settings and checking your storage space. Clear out any files or projects that are no longer of use to you.

Utilize Spartan365 for cloud and virtual storage

Utilizing OneDrive, available through Spartan365, can help reduce clutter by saving files on the cloud. Spartan Drive offers users a simple way to store, sync and share files with other people and devices. Spartan365 is available for students, faculty, researchers, and staff.

Clean the outside of your computer

While it’s important to organize the contents of your computer, it’s just as important to clean the computer itself. Your computer collects dust which can delay the cooling process. Give your computer the quick polishing that it deserves!

For more information about how to clean your computer, click here.

Job of the Week: MSU Extension HNI Fiscal Officer

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This week, MSU Human Resources features a posting from MSU Extension for a Health and Nutrition Institute (HNI) Fiscal Officer (posting 844547). MSU Extension aims to be part of community conversations, maintain positive environments, and foster inclusivity. The HNI empowers Michiganders to lead healthier lives through education about nutrition, safe food practices, physical activity, mental health, and more.  Learn more about MSU Extension. 

The HNI Fiscal Officer will oversee the operations of a large department, program or functional unit. They will manage the fiscal and administrative activities of a complex budget from various sources of funds including externally funded grants, operating accounts and self-supporting activity. They will also oversee internal and external financial accounts and controls and provide oversight for all HNI accounts. Find a list of all responsibilities on the MSU Careers website.

The future HNI Fiscal Officer should be a self-starter with a four-year degree in a business-related field. Their working knowledge should include five to eight years of experience in office procedures and administration. They should also have strong oral and written communication skills.

To learn more about MSU Extension, visit www.canr.msu.edu. To apply for this position, prepare a resume, cover letter, four professional references and apply here by February 28.

Job of the Week: Systems Engineering Team Manager/Information Technologist II

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This week, MSU Human Resources features a posting from Information Technology Services and the Division of Student Life and Engagement for a Systems Engineering Team Manager (posting 843322). Information Technology Services provides the primary leadership for strategic, financial and policy initiatives affecting IT across MSU. The Division of Student Life and Engagement engages students in active learning, ensures students are prepared for leadership roles and enhances educational environments. 

The Division of Student Life and Engagement (SLE) IT team, Digital Strategies and Services (DSS), partners with units in the SLE to coordinate technology strategy that aligns unit needs with campus, divisional and individual solutions. The Systems Engineering Team Manager will report to the Director of SLE Digital Services and Strategies. They are responsible for supervising and coaching four full time direct reports. They will also coordinate activities and communications to respond to incidents such as website failures, network outages, power interruptions, etc. that impact SLE technology. Find a list of all responsibilities on the MSU Careers website.

The future Systems Engineering Team Manager should have supervisory experience with a four-year degree. Their working knowledge should include the ability to isolate, analyze, describe and resolve complex issues. They should also have experience with vendor management.

To learn more about Information Technology Services, visit tech.msu.edu. To learn more about the Division of Student Life and Engagement, visit sle.msu.edu. To apply for this position, prepare a resume, cover letter, three professional references and apply here by February 14.

Answers to Your Questions About Vacation/Personal Paid Time Off (PTO)

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Do you have a plan for using your vacation/personal paid time off (PTO) this year? According to this Forbes article, “American workers are notorious for being workaholics. Since March of 2020, an overwhelming majority of U.S. employees have shortened, postponed, or canceled their vacation time.” While most of us are aware that time away from work is crucial to maintain mental health and support our relationships, we sometimes have a hard time truly disconnecting.

While it may seem harmless to check in a couple of times while you’re away, to really benefit from a vacation you need to disconnect entirely. Review these tips for setting boundaries so you can get adequate rest and reset. Having a plan for setting boundaries with your team before, during, and after your vacation will help reduce pre- and post-vacation stress.

We encourage everyone to work with their supervisor to schedule a well-deserved break. And don’t forget, employee discounts for travel are available through MSU Benefits Plus and the HR website.

Your Top PTO Questions

The following are the most common questions HR receives regarding PTO and answers vary based on the employee’s personal details. These answers are only applicable to regular, benefit-eligible employees working half-time or more. Please make sure to reference the appropriate policy page for further details: support staff, faculty and academic staff, librarians, and MSU extension.

  1. How do I find out how much PTO I currently have?
    • Log into the EBS Portal and select My Time & Payroll from the top navigation, then select the Time Quota Balances tile. For support using the application, please review the Time Quota Balances help page.

  2. How do I find out how much PTO I have used?
    • Log into the EBS Portal and select My Time & Payroll from the top navigation, then select the Time Quota Usage Monthly Report tile. For support using the application, please review the Time Quota Usage Monthly help page.

  3. How do I enter my PTO in EBS for supervisor approval?
    • Login to the EBS Portal and select My Time & Payroll from the top navigation, then select the Time Entries & Statement tile. Enter the number of hours in the cell for the correct date in the row with the appropriate absence type. For support using the application, please review the Time Entries and Statement help page.

  4. What is the difference between personal leave and vacation PTO?
    • Eligible support staff are granted both personal leave and vacation PTO. Eligible faculty and academic staff are granted vacation PTO.

      For support staff, up to 24 hours of personal leave PTO is granted each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). The amount granted is proportional to employment percentage. You may not carry these hours over to the next year, so make sure you use this PTO before the fiscal year ends. Please review the support staff personal leave policy page for more details. Please note: POAM employees should review the POAM union contract for their unique personal leave policy.

      Vacation PTO is granted to eligible employees and varies based on employee type, union affiliation, employment percentage, length of employment, and new hire status. Please review the appropriate policy for further details: support staff, faculty and academic staff, librarians, and MSU extension.

  5. I’m a new employee. Do I have access to my vacation PTO immediately?
    • This depends on your employee type. Eligible faculty, academic, and support staff have access to vacation PTO after 6 months of service. Eligible librarians and MSU Extension employees have access immediately upon employment. Please review the appropriate policy for further details: support staff, faculty and academic staff, librarians, and MSU extension.

  6. If I leave the university – such as through retirement or termination – what happens to my unused PTO?
    • Employees will receive payment for unused vacation PTO when they leave the university. Support staff will not receive payment for unused personal leave PTO.

  7. For Time Entry Roles Only: What are the absence and attendance codes?
  8. Support Staff Only: How do I accrue vacation days?
    • Eligible support staff accrue vacation days on a monthly basis. The amount accrued depends on union affiliation, employment percentage, and length of employment. Please review the support staff vacation time policy page for more details.

  9. Support Staff Only: Is there a maximum amount of vacation PTO I can accrue?
    • Yes. The maximum amount eligible support staff can accrue depends on union affiliation, employment percentage, and length of employment. Please review the support staff vacation time policy page for more details.

      Support staff cannot earn vacation time beyond the accrual limit. You are encouraged to use your PTO so you don’t lose out on valuable vacation time.

More information about PTO for eligible employees can be found on the HR website (support staff and faculty/academic staff). We encourage you to review the appropriate policy pages thoroughly to help answer any questions you may have. If you need further assistance, please contact the HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

February Events Round-Up

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Are you looking for activities for you and your family in the upcoming month? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events

February 13 – The Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards Ceremony: Join the campus community in recognition of the exceptional and innovative contributions of students, staff and faculty in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in teaching, research, programming, service, community outreach and organizational change.

Starts February 17 – Charlotte’s Web: Enjoy this classic story at the Fairchild Theatre from the MSU Department of Theatre. 

February 17 – DIE/GEST Opening Reception (free): Visit the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum to see the opening of this interactive mixed media installation. This will include a special live music and spoken-word performance by jazz musician, Albert Marquès and Keith LaMar, a writer, artist and activist who has spent almost 30 years in solitary confinement on death row in Ohio.

February 26 – National Geographic Live: Head to the Wharton Center to learn all about whales.

Learning Opportunities

Starts February 7 – Implicit Bias Certificate (free): This series allows participants to examine the multiple facets of implicit bias and the impact on our community through a series of modules.

Starts February 7 – Crucial Conversations for Accountability: This in-person series teaches nine powerful skills for resolving performance problems, strengthening trust and reliability and eliminating inconsistency through group discussion, real-time practice, and group support and coaching.

February 7 – Disbursement Voucher Processing (free): This virtual class will provide detailed information about processing a disbursement voucher (DV) in KFS. 

February 8 – Building Cohesive Teams: Learn tactics for building collaboration within a team and skills for improving team performance in this virtual course.

February 10 – An Introduction to MSU Commons (free): This workshop will provide an introduction to the new open access platform, MSU Commons. This platform allows you to deposit your educational and scholarly work and connect with others. 

February 14 – Adoption Through Foster Care (free): The Family Resource Group is hosting this Zoom presentation to discuss the process of adoption through the foster care system.

February 15 – Building a Framework for Resilient Leadership: Explore with other campus leaders some essential resilience skills required for effective leadership for the common good.

February 15 – Emotional Intelligence as a Foundation to DEI Work (free): As part of the “Confident Women Series,” this Zoom session will help you develop a deeper understanding of emotional intelligence as it relates to DEI.

February 15 – Identify and Maximize Your Strengths: This assessment identifies your natural patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving, so that you can discover what makes you exceptional and maximize your potential.

February 16 – Creating and Sustaining a Positive Workplace: This humorous virtual session will cover the seven habits of negativity.

February 20 – Cultural Competency (free): This in-person session will cover cultural awareness and inclusivity skills that strengthen cultural competence.

February 21 – Finding Time: Time Management Strategies for Busy Professionals (free): This class will explore strategies to more efficiently allocate your minutes, streamline workflow and relieve some pressure in the process.

February 22 – Strategic Planning: Learn how to move from ideas to action in this virtual workshop.

Health and Wellness

Starts February 8 – Boundaries (free): This weekly Zoom workshop will help you learn how to establish boundaries in the workplace and at home.

Starts February 1 – Food and Nutrition Counseling (free): Take advantage of a one-on-one session with a registered dietitian to discuss how your lifestyle and eating habits may impact your health.

Family-Friendly Activities

Starts February 3 – Skywatchers of Africa: Visit the Abrams Planetarium to learn about the diversity of African astronomy in this new show. 

Starts February 5 – A Story of Survival Dinosaurs: Visit the Abrams Planetarium to see this fictional story about real-life dinosaur evolution. 

February 4 – Family Day: EDIT (free): Join the MSU Broad Art Museum for their monthly family day. For this month’s theme, copy, cut and paste to see something new.

Starts February 11 – Ice Safari: Visit the Potter Park Zoo to see ice sculptures and some of your favorite winter animals.

February 13 – Monday Night Open House (free): View insects from all over the world at the MSU Bug House. 

Starts February 25 – Greater Lansing Orchid Society Show and Sale (free): Enjoy the beautiful flowers and exhibits while learning how to grow orchids.

Job of the Week: Assistant Director/Multicultural Development Manager

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This week, MSU Human Resources features a posting from the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion for an Assistant Director/Multicultural Development Manager (posting 843580). The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion guides and supports efforts to advance a diverse and inclusive campus community, consistent with MSU’s core values.

The Multicultural Development Manager would be working within the Diversity Research Network (DRN), which supports faculty of color and diversity researchers. They will supervise designated staff and oversee outreach efforts to promote and disseminate DRN information. They will also maintain a relationship with University Advancement to raise funds for the DRN. Find a list of all responsibilities on the MSU Careers website.

The future Multicultural Development Manager should be a highly motivated and innovative individual with a four year degree in behavioral sciences or business administration. It’s preferred that candidates have a master’s or Phd in education, social sciences or a related field. Their working knowledge should include five to eight years of experience in organizational development and diversity programming.

To learn more about the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, visit inclusion.msu.edu. To apply for this position, prepare a resume, cover letter, report or summary writing sample, contact information for 2 professional references and apply here by February 7.