HR Newsletter December 2024
Laughter as a Stress Reducer In this issue 2024 Electronic W-2 06 08 Videos for Educators and Retirees 10 EAP December Spotlight 13 November 2024 New Hires 03 December Spotlight TRS Talks LiveWell UNG 09 12 Important Information & Instructions Exercise & Mental Health Connection EAP Live Webinar----December 11, 2024 U Away from UNG - Holiday Paws! UNG employees fun activities away from work Cover photo: Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas website New Nighthawks Blue Ridge Christmas Holiday Express Train website Acentra Connect 04 Well-being App Holiday Survival Guide 07 Webinar Recording
Rest & Reflect December Spotlight Reflect December presents us with the perfect opportunity to participate in a year-end reflection, a great mindfulness exercise in tracking personal growth and practicing gratitude. Set aside some time to reflect on your best memories and moments, areas you would like to improve, and what you are grateful for. Then get ready to move forward. Rest As the year winds down, take time to rest and recharge—both your body and mind need it. Amid the holiday bustle, carve out moments of stillness to reconnect with what truly matters. This December, give yourself the gift of rest so you can step into the new year with renewed energy and clarity. December 2024
Start Exploring Update your profile, browse the resources, get immediate help, and save your favorite articles. Acentra Connect’s Well-Being Impact Reach your full potential with Acentra Connect. Find resources that help you: Download Acentra Connect Download the app from Apple or Google Play Store and use your Company Code (USGCares) to create an account. Create Your Account Use your Company Code, full name, and email to get registered. 3 Easy Steps to Get Help Resources and services at your fingertips. ON-DEMAND MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING APP Acentra Connect Stay Balanced Reduce Stress Acentra Connect delivers on-demand resources to help your people manage their well-being with useful tips, relevant articles, assessments, and motivational exercises. Access your mental and behavioral health services including Tess and TalkNow® via the app to get the personal attention and immediate care you need easier than ever. Acentra Connect is secure, confidential, and available 24/7. Be Resilient Download the app today for on-demand access & resources USG.mylifeexpert.com | Code: USGCares (888) 678-0937
Connect to Your Full Potential Get Inspired and Stay Motivated Receive motivational tips to help keep your focus on track and shift your mindset. Save your favorite articles, too! Text Tess for Immediate Support Easily contact Tess, your digital chatbot, for unlimited conversations and emotional support. Quickly Access Helpful Resources Check out the content library by topic to get to the resources you need quickly. Acentra Connect delivers on-demand resources to help your people manage their well-being with useful tips, relevant articles, assessments, and motivational exercises. Access your mental and behavioral health services including Tess and TalkNow® via the app to get the personal attention and immediate care you need easier than ever. Acentra Connect is secure, confidential, and available 24/7. NO APPOINTMENTS, NO WAITING An on-demand mental health and well-being app to help your team unlock their full potential. Access digital resources including webinars, assessments, videos, quizzes, articles, motivational tips, and more. Acentra Connect Download the app today for on-demand access & resources USG.mylifeexpert.com | Code: USGCares (888) 678-0937
The contents of this article and referenced websites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the site are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on any information provided by these websites is solely at your own risk. Acentra™ Health is not responsible for the contents of any “off- site” web page referenced from this server. Acentra Health. All rights reserved. Employee Assistance Program Tip Sheet Laughter as a Stress Reducer Did you know that laughing actually creates changes in the body that act as stress busters? Read on to learn more and discover tips for how to add more humor into your life. Laughter has been shown to: Increase levels of endorphins. Settle stress responses. Eliminate muscle tension. Promote positive thinking which can combat stress and illnesses through production of neuropeptides. Ease pain. Provide a way to cope with difficult situations. Strengthen bonds between people when laughter is shared. Improve mood. There are many ways to start to add more humor into your life. Increase your exposure to humor. Think about the kind of humor that appeals to you most. You might hang up a cartoon or image that makes you chuckle. Choose a comedy over a drama series. Watch silly videos, follow funny social media accounts, or listen to witty podcasts. Laugh at your situation when you can. This can add levity in the moment and reduce stress responses. Spend time with others that make you laugh. Seek out people that act as a mood booster. Look for the humor in everyday moments. Find one thing every day to laugh about and you will most likely find humor in unexpected places. If you’re struggling to find joy in your life, reach out to your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Reference: Mayo Clinic. Stress Relief from Laughter? It’s No Joke. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456 Anytime, any day, you have access to mental health professionals available to connect you with free and confidential services and resources to help you be your best. Simply call to get started today. Your Employee Assistance Program Scan this QR code using your phone camera to go directly to the EAP website 24/7/365 PHONE: 1.844.243.4440 WEBSITE: usg.mylifeexpert.com Code: USGCares
Click Here for Recording: Our information, services and support programs are here for you with 24/7 access to help when you need it. For many, the holiday season is a wonderful time for celebration, family gatherings and joyful memories. For others, it's a time of sadness and, possibly, a feeling of being overwhelmed. In this recorded seminar, participants examined sources of holiday stress and learned strategies for coping and managing their emotions, time, relationships and finances. Participants also shared ideas for organizing holiday tasks, managing holiday demands, and explored the role of holiday traditions in our lives. Holiday Survival Guide Recorded Webinar from 11/13/24 EAP Live Monthly Webinar Series Enter information about yourself and enter as our EAP program.
TRS Talks Videos Now Available! Covering Health Insurance, Investing, and Social Security This Fall, TRS had the pleasure of hosting livestream conversations with a few experts and community leaders discussing important health and wealth topics. Investing is Easier Than You Think Featuring Luke Atwood, Investment Club of University of North Georgia CEO Social Security Made Simple Featuring Cindy Lundquist, Social Security Expert
Federal regulations require that employees give their consent to receive the W-2 in an electronic format. UNG employees may elect to receive their W‐2 statements online through OneUSG Connect. Once consent is given in OneUSG Connect, it carries forward each year and does not need to be repeated. Follow these steps to consent to or confirm your current status: 1.Log into OneUSG Connect. 2.Click the Payroll Tile. 3.Click the Taxes tile from Employee Self Service. Click W-2/W-2c Consent. If you have already consented in OneUSG Connect to receive W-2 or W-2c forms, your status will indicate “Consent received,” no further action is required. 4. Click the box for “Check here to indicate your consent to receive electronic W-2 and W-2c forms.” 5. 6.Click Submit. Contact payroll@ung.edu regarding any questions. Deadline: Dec. 31, 2024
U away from UNG Holiday Paws edition Brenda Bishop, Faculty Records Specialist, has grand-dog Barry with Santa paws going to town! Crystal Matthews, Director HR Information Systems, has Lola ready to celebrate the holidays purr-fectly dressed. Caity Walker, Faculty Records Coordinator, takes a selfie with Kaley who is paws-itively irresistible. Anh Tran, Digital Marketing Specialist in Auxiliary Services, enjoys holiday outings with sweet Nikita.
How do you balance work and life? Share photos to hrnewsletter@ung.edu from your Winter Break for the January HR newsletter Daniel Noh, Tutoring Lab Coordinator, loves hanging out with his cocker, Odin, who is fur-ever on the Nice list. Andrew Huff, Compensation Data Analyst, has his dog, Leo, feline festive. And purr-senting his cats, Luna (left) & Loki (right), who will be the cutest gifts under the tree. Derek Thiess, Associate Professor in English, decks the paws with Jolly (left) and Captain (right).
Employee Assistance Program Live Webinar Series Join us on 12/11/2024 from 1:30 to 2:30 PM EST Contact us 24/7 at 1.844.243.4440 WEBINAR DESCRIPTION: Daily exercise is proven to have a positive impact on our physical and mental health. In this class, participants will learn about the benefits of exercise to our immune system, the ability to reduce our risk for contracting disease, and how it lowers our stress levels. Explore how to get started on a healthy path towards improved mental health, and how to stay motivated to reach your goals! THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EXERCISE AND MENTAL HEALTH DECEMBER 2024 You may also register at USG.MyLifeExpert.com. When creating a new account, use company code: USGCares Scan Here to Go Directly to the Website
Gracie Chapman Administrative Assistant II, Student Engagement & Success, Dahlonega Sharita Davis Senior Case Manager, Dean of Students, Dahlonega Adrian Delgado Limited Term Regional Recruiter (Cadet), Cadet Recruiting, Dahlonega Joshua Green Technical Support Associate II, Information Technology, Dahlonega Brandi Ledford Office Assistant III, Academic Advising, Dahlonega Michael Pennington Groundskeeper I, Facilities North, Dahlonega Mark Rasmussen Custodian, Facilities South, Gainesville Danny Rider Police Officer I, Public Safety, Gainesville Sarah Shafer Academic Student Success Coach, University College, Dahlonega Jayson VanHook Associate VP for Data Strategy & Chief Data Officer, Office of the President, Dahlonega NEW NIGHTHAWKS Blue Ridge Cumming Dahlonega Gainesville Oconee
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