UK Work-Life Success Stories
Being successful in the work place and at home means different things to different people. For some, success in work-life means being able to work 40 hours a week while managing family care - such as picking the kids up from day care every day at 5 p.m. or taking mom to her sporadic mid-day doctor appointments. For others, work-life means pursing a college education or volunteering at church.
Given the diversity in our lives, there is no clear path to finding the right balance between meeting work obligations, family responsibilities, career development, and personal fulfillment. Rather, working closely with their supervisors and colleagues, UK employees are forging new paths for work-life success. Here are a few examples. If you have a Work-Life Success Story, we'd love to hear from you. Email our office with the details.
Work-Life Success Stories
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New! Fran Morris Mandel Director of Development, College of Social Work 2011 - Reduced Seasonal Hours On November 30th, 2009, my baby girl was born. After utilizing FMLA for maternity leave and being at home for three months, it was time to come back to work here at UK. READ MORE. |
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Dianna August Bulk Mail Supervisor, Postal Services 2006 - Health & Wellness, Professional Developement Dianna August of UK's campus Post Office (shown here with grandson Akshay Kumar Thakur) talks about her work, professional development at UK, her family, as well as a wide array of hobbies and interests (antiques, auctioneering, among others). READ MORE. |
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John Cook Operations Manager, Medical Center PPD 2008 - Financial Planning for Employees For the past four years, John Cook has supervised a diverse group of 64 individuals who clean and maintain the Medical Center and its grounds. Recognizing that his employees were not taking advantage of many of the UK employee benefits, John made a 2007 New Year’s Resolution to do something to help them. READ MORE. |
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Kay Gaines Staff Assistant, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging 2006 - Flexible Work Arrangement, Professional Development With a background in social service, Kay has found in UK a supportive work environment that's enabling her to advance her career while at the same time pursuing an advanced degree. READ MORE. |
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Kim Heersche Technology Training Specialist, HR Training & Development 2008 - Flexible Work Arrangement In addition to my job at the University of Kentucky, I am an active professional musician in the Lexington area. READ MORE. |
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Nancy Kelley Athletic Training, Dept. of Rehabilitation 2007 - Flexible Work Arrangement, EEP Nancy takes advantage of a flexible work schedule to attend classes at UK. Working a 37.5 compressed work week Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Nancy is able to take classes and complete her practicum placements on Fridays. READ MORE. |
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Catie Lasley Employment Manager, HR 2006 - EAHP, EEP From working in UK Human Resources while a student to now managing UK Employment, Catie Lasley speaks to the array of work and personal opportunities enabled by her career at the University including the recent purchase of her first home. READ MORE. |
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Barry Russell Administrative Staff Officer, Auxiliary Services 2008 - Elder Care Services As a supervisor, Barry Russell has always been sensitive to the work and family needs of his employees and is an advocate of flexible work arrangements. Then, one and a half years ago, he found himself in the role of caregiver for his mother and stepfather. READ MORE. |
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Jim Ryder Maintenance Technician Supervisor, Medical Center PPD 2006 Jim Ryder of UK's Medical Center Physical Plant Division is a photographer in his spare time. With Jim's artistic background, it's no surprise that he describes his work in vivid terms - as well as his appreciation for the medical miracles performed by the doctors and clinical staff his department supports. READ MORE. |
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Bill Verble Assistant Manager, HR Training & Development 2008 - Flexible Work Arrangement As the Assistant Manager for Training and Development in Human Resources, Bill Verble has many responsibilities, including supervisory duties. In addition to work responsibilities, Bill works one morning each month in his daughter’s preschool class at Fayette Cooperating Nursery School. READ MORE. |
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Gail Williams Staff Associate, HR Student & Temporary Employment 2007 - Flexible Work Arrangement In addition to working 37.5 hours a week in the employment office, Gail Williams is the primary caregiver of her 89 year-old mother. Gail works the front desk of the temporary employment office, which is opened 8:00-5:00 Monday – Friday. READ MORE. |
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Lydia and Jim Wims 2006 - Flexibility As one of our many "dual career" couples, both Lydia and Jim work at UK. Their jobs both involve supporting the University's student support operation, and both have found UK supportive of both their work and family lives. READ MORE. |
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Linda Worley Faculty, German Studies Division, Modern & Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department 2006 - Elder Care Services As an esteemed faculty member in the German department, cite the value and support provided to to her and her husband by the UK Elder Care program. READ MORE. |
