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Dear Colleague,
We lead off this month's issue with UK Benefits Open Enrollment, which begins this week and ends on Friday, May 10. Please take time to review your options during this time to ensure you're making the most of your UK total rewards package. The Open Enrollment website and materials mailed to your home and work addresses offer a great overview of benefits, including what's changing in the 2013-14 plan year that starts July 1.
Monthly premiums will stay the same for the vast majority of employees (and increase minimally for UK-EPO members) because of the University's commitment of an additional $5.4 million in health plan funding. This increase in funding addresses a 4.5 percent increase in underlying health care costs. Because of this and past commitments, employees have been spared widespread health plan premium increases since 2006.
Mary Ferlan
Operations Director
UK Human Resources
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Features
UK's Annual Benefits Open Enrollment
Takes Place April 22 - May 10, 2013
UK's annual Open Enrollment period gives you the chance to update benefits coverage for you and your family. We encourage you to review all your benefit choices and review your personal situation to ensure you're making the most of your UK benefits package. Generally, re-enrollment is not required unless you wish to participate in health care and dependent flexible spending accounts.
By now, you should have received mailings to your home and work address that highlight noteworthy benefit changes for the new plan year that begins July 1. Highlights include a
new health plan administrator (Anthem Blue Cross & Shield), stable health plan rates for the vast majority of health plan members, and some helpful plan enhancements (smoking cessation support at no out-of-pocket cost, for example!).
To learn more, visit a Benefits Open House event this week (for full schedule, see link below).
University Health Services - Tuesday, April 23
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 1st Floor
Peterson Service Building - Wednesday, April 24
7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.,
Loading Dock
Chandler Hospital - Thursday, April 25
10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Room H133
For complete details on Open Enrollment, including a complete Open House schedule, click here.
 2013 UK Student Employee of the Year
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Chuck Embs of UK Student Employment with award winner Dana Rogers and Brian Connors Manke of Arts & Sciences Hive
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The 6th annual Student Employee of the Year Banquet was held April 10 at the Boone Center. Nearly 30 student employees were nominated for the Student Employee of the Year Award. The top 10 finalists were invited with their guests and supervisors to enjoy an evening of dinner and celebration of the hard work the students provide. The guest speaker was Eric Monday, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration. Dana Rogers, Photographer for Hive College of Arts & Sciences, was announced the 2013 Student Employee of the Year. She was nominated by her supervisor Brian Connors Manke. For more about this year's award winner and a full list of nominees, visit this page.
UK Welcomes New Work-Life Director
 Erika Chambers has joined UK Human Resources as Work-Life Director, a role she began March 15. She has a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology and has over seven years of work-life related experience that will translate successfully here at UK. Erika is originally from Ohio, but she has lived and worked in the Los Angeles area for the last seven years. The interview panelists were impressed with her strong communication skills and ability to translate work-life issues into practical solutions in the workplace. For more info on Work-Life at UK, visit the website.
A Day in the Life of a Heating and Cooling Plant Operator
In the first in a series of "day in the life" visits for our HR STEPS Temporary Employment team, our team gets some hands-on experience on the job to better understand the hiring needs of the departments we serve. Read Kasey and Kellye's story here. Like us, you'll gain a greater appreciation for those colleagues who work hard to keep our campus running smoothly.
UK Health & Wellness Success Story Spotlight
Eric Larson overcame his challenges and lost 10.8 percent of his body weight in 10 weeks. He is the 2013 Biggest BLUE Loser Male 1st Place Winner. Read his story.
VOTE: Polls Open for Staff Trustee Election
Voting for the University of Kentucky's staff representative to its Board of Trustees is open and runs through May 1. Four candidates nominated themselves for the campuswide election - Mike Adams (Department of Biology), Sheila Brothers (Office of the Senate Council), Jann Burks (4-H Central Operations) and Gary Case (Center on Drug and Alcohol Research). A UK username and password (LinkBlue credentials) OR a UK Person ID number and date of birth are required to vote. Regular staff with a full time equivalency (FTE) of 0.75 or greater and those in phased retirement are eligible to vote in the election. Vote online here. The candidates may campaign through May 1. Click here to view the candidates' platforms.
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Resources for UK Employees
Free and Confidential Career Counseling Services for UK Staff
Contact us for resume and cover letter reviews, interview coaching, personal Career Action Plan advice, and more! To schedule a FREE one-on-one consultation with career coach Diane Kohler, call (859) 257-9416. Also check out our online career tools and resources.
Need A Laptop for Summer Classes?
The Staff Laptop Loan Program has laptops available to loan to eligible UK employees for the summer 2013 semester. For complete information, including the eligibility criteria and an application, visit the website.
Technology Training Presents iPad@UK:
The Basics
Learn the basics about the iPad. Course will include Open Lab time at the end of class for individual questions. Register here.
Annual Deadline to Convert Sick (Temporary Disability) Leave to Vacation Leave is April 30
Employees have the opportunity to convert part of their accumulated temporary disability leave (TDL, also known as "sick time") to vacation leave during the month of April each year. Click here for details.
Looking for Summer Camps?
Register your kids by April 26 for the Medical Career & Science Institute (Beginners Camp)
The Medical Career and Science Institute is a one-week (June 17-21) health careers non-residential camp hosted by the Bluegrass Healthcare Consortium that provides students an opportunity to jump start their career in the health field. Click here for a brochure and click here for an application.
Want to learn about more summer camps in the area? Check out the popular UK Office of Work-Life Summer Camps website.
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May Is Mental Health Awareness Month
1 in 4 Adult Americans Live with a Diagnosable Mental Health Condition
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! And, even though 1 in 4 adult Americans live with a diagnosable mental health condition, many of them are too afraid or do not know how to seek help. If you or someone you know needs support, the Work+Life Connections team offers the following confidential services for free:
- Mental Health Kits
- Counseling
- Alcohol or drug concerns/assessments for self or family
- Communication issues
- Coping with a new health diagnosis
- Crisis and grief counseling
- Depression, anxiety, grief and other mental health concerns
- Parenting, divorce, separation or family and relationship concerns
- Stress management/relaxation skills
- Work performance difficulties
- Referral services
Visit this page for details or to request a free mental health kit. You may also call 859-218-0461 to schedule a free Work+Life Connections counseling appointment.
Help UK Human Resources Recognize and Reward Great Service!
 The new Ace Award is designed to help UK's Human Resources division recognize great service provided by HR employees in various departments (see full department list here
). Best of all, it's an opportunity for us to hear valuable feedback from our valued colleagues across the University.
Attention UK Hiring Officials, Supervisors and Search Committees!
Free training from UK expert employment consultants can help you select the right candidate for the job. Please join the Hiring Enhancement Program team in several upcoming trainings and expand your hiring and selection knowledge! To learn more about these trainings, visit the website.
How to Develop an Effective Job Posting
Wednesday, April 24
9-11 a.m.
220 Scovell Hall, Suite 2
Behavior-Based Interviewing 1-Day
Thursday, May 9
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
220 Scovell Hall, Suite 2
To register please use the myUK Training Center available under myUK Employee Self-Service. If you have any problems registering for the training or would like to offer this training on-site within your department, please contact Carla Braun at 257-8948.
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Events
Free Health Screening
Wellness On Wheels (WOW) is a FREE health screening. Your 20-minute appointment will include tests for: cholesterol (fasting optional), triglycerides and glucose, height, weight, blood pressure, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. Our expert staff will be on-hand for a review of your results.
Are you a caregiver for your parents or an aging adult?
 The UK Elder Care team, within the Office of Work-Life, is here to support and provide resources for all caregivers, whether you are caring for someone locally or out of state. Here are a few of our upcoming events:
May 14: Senior Housing Options Lunch and Learn with Michelle Brady from Richmond Place
May 15: Care Group discussion on "The Role of the Caregiver" with Marie Smart, Family Care Specialist from Sanders Brown Center on Aging (dessert provided in celebration of Older Americans Month!)
June 10: Virtual Dementia Tour -- This simulation allows you to see what life can be like for a family member or friend that has dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Call (859) 323-4600 or email terri.weber@uky.edu for more information
Healthy Relationships: FREE Health Smart Conversation
Discover a greater understanding of interpersonal dynamics, interactive strategies, and tips for respectful relationships. Join us for "Respect Works: Healthy Relationships at Home, Work, and Play," presented by Melanie Matson, M.A., UK Violence Intervention and Prevention Center,Tuesday, May 21, from 12:10-12:50 p.m., 127 Commons, Wethington Bldg. FREE. Register now.
Road 101: Free Bike Commuting Class
Take your bike commuting skills to the next level. Bring your bike and helmet and join us for "Road 101," taught by Michael Galbraith, League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor. Join us Wednesday, April 24, from 5-7 p.m., behind the Joe Craft Center by the outdoor bleachers. FREE. Register now.
Strengthening Our Roots: 2013 UK Health & Wellness Conference
You're invited to join us for the annual UK Health & Wellness Conference Friday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Embassy Suites Lexington, 1801 Newtown Pike. The conference is FREE and exclusively for UK employees, retirees, and their spouses or sponsored dependents. Register early! Space is limited, and the first 60 registrants win a free Therapeutic Chair Massage. Register now.
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Financial Tip of the Month
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Free One-on-One Retirement Consultations with TIAA-CREF, Fidelity
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About Thrive
Thrive is a monthly e-mail newsletter developed by UK Human Resources.
Editors: Melanie J. Sparks
John Buzzard
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