HR Newsletter January 2024

03 04 06 08 CONTENTS Fitness for Life tips Acentra Employee Assistance Program USG Well-being Updates January Spotlight U Away from UNG Fun Activities Outside of Work New Nighthawks December New Hires Live Well UNG 11 Changes to the 2024 USG Well-being Program 10 Employee Perks Attractions to enjoy in 2024!

At the beginning of every year, fitness centers find themselves at their busiest as people recommit to their fitness goals. As the year goes on, gyms return to the prenew year’s levels due to people abandoning their plans. Given this well-documented phenomenon, how can you avoid being one of the dropouts? Finding a social support team that encourages you. These would be the people to motivate you and hold you accountable. When you are feeling down and not wanting to exercise, contact your support team on social media for inspiration.

Our Journey. Our Well-being. USG Well-being USG Well-being programming and activities will be provided through your USG healthcare provider (Anthem and Kaiser). Members have the ability to earn up to $100 in rewards. The USG website will be updated and become your go-to source for all things USG Well-being. We will continue with systemwide challenges and well-being live events including Money Mondays twice a month and Well-being Wednesdays twice a month. Rewards Program for Anthem Members Anthem members and covered spouses will be able to participate in a variety of activities to earn up to $100—up to $200 per household. Rewards will be added to your account which members will be able to access from the Anthem platform via the Sydney app or website. Members will then be able to redeem their reward for an e-gift card to use anywhere that accepts gift cards or a select store. Incentives available: $100 for employees and $100 for spouses. Redeem incentives for eGift Cards: MasterCard, Amazon, Apple, Home Depot, Target, TJ Maxx, Uber and PetSmart. Incentives earned must be redeemed by the end of the year and are taxable. Rewards Program for Kaiser Permanente Members Kaiser Permanente members and covered spouses who each complete the Kaiser Permanente Wellness Program will receive a $100 gift card, $200 per household, to spend on anything they choose. In order to earn the gift card, members must complete five activities: 1.Accept the 2024 Wellness Program Agreement 2.Take the Total Health Assessment online 3.Complete a Biometric Screening at a KP medical office 4.Complete all age and gender appropriate preventive screenings for breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer. Make a lifestyle change by either participating in either Wellness Coaching by Phone or completing a mission through the healthy lifestyle programs. 5. Completed activities are automatically pulled from the Kaiser Permanente Electronic Medical Record. Once members complete the wellness activities, the reward gift card will be automatically ordered for delivery to the member’s address on file. Click here for more information

Weight and Diabetes Support USG Well-being provides options for diabetes, diabetes prevention and weight loss support at no cost to you! Diabetes Prevention Program In partnership with University of Georgia Extension, USG Well-being is offering the CDC-recognized diabetes prevention lifestyle change program, PreventT2 to all employees whether or not enrolled in the USG healthcare plan. The PreventT2 lifestyle change program is a structured program—in person or online—developed specifically to prevent type 2 diabetes. It is designed for people who have prediabetes or are at risk for type 2 diabetes, but who do not already have diabetes. Click here to learn more about this program. Weight Watchers® Weight Watchers’ PersonalPoints™ Program can help you drop the pounds you want while eating what you love and living your life fully. It’s based on your body, your goals, and the foods you love, meaning that no two plans are the same. Because your wellness plan should fit into your life. Weight Loss support will be offered through WeightWatchers® for Anthem members beginning January 15. Click here for more information. Kaiser Permanente offers programs for Diabetes Prevention and weight loss to members and eligible spouses enrolled in the Kaiser health plan. As a Kaiser member, you can join Omada or WeightWatchers® at no cost to you. For more information and to register, click here.

Reflect, Engage, and Thrive January Spotlight Reflect January is a time of promise, the opportunity to plan, and the chance to adopt new habits. Just as we took time to reflect in December about the past year, spend some time this month reflecting on items you identified you would like to work on or ways you can improve your purpose. Set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time oriented (SMART). Engage To engage is to actively participate in improving your current status. Engagement involves creating and maintaining a sincere interest and involvement in living well. After you set your SMART goals, take the next step and list the actions you will take to engage in those goals. BOLD FORWARD! To thrive is to flourish, prosper, or grow. When you thrive, you are in control of your choices and actions and you have the skills to accept, adapt and bounce back. Once you have successfully engaged in your personal well-being growth, work towards maintaining all your progress! Maintain routines/schedules and connections, feel empowered by the things you have accomplished, and continually reframe your thoughts, letting go of the negative and embracing the positive. Thrive January 2024

TIPS to LIVE WELL UNG Financial Well-being The start of the New Year is a perfect time to reflect on your financial well-being. The increased cost associated with the holidays and the impending tax season provide the motivation to evaluate our spending habits and start to plan for the future. Having a sound financial strategy can help you feel more in control and make for a brighter future. Take time to plan and update your 2024 financial strategy! TIP: Explore all the financial resources USG offers to employees here! Volunteerism If your resolution for 2024 involves giving back, volunteering is for you! Volunteering can make a significant difference in people’s lives, but did you know that it also has many health benefits for you? According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering 1) Improves mental and physical health, 2) Provides a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills, and 3) Nurtures new and existing relationships. Give your well-being a boost by volunteering today! Tip: Find local volunteer sites in your community here! Mental Well-being Make this the year that your mental well-being is a priority. Poor mental well-being affects all aspects of our lives. Those with good mental well-being are generally happier, more confident, and are satisfied with life. Take time to focus on you this year! Practice positivity. Take time to connect with others. Practice good sleep habits (at least 7-8 hours a night). Get Active! Just a few minutes a day can do wonders! January 2024 Well-being Focus

Betsy Chaput (left), Gainesville Student Counseling, reconnected with two friends from her childhood in Canandaigua, New York, Anne and Jon (photo above). Betsy also traveled to Pennsylvania with her son and daughter-in-law, Dan & Jessica Chaput (photo below). They visited the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. away from UNG Corning Tree HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK AND LIFE? Send us photos of what you love to do to in 2024! HRnewsletter@ung.edu DO MORE OF WHAT YOU LOVE

Nighthawks kicked off 2024 with a hike at Amicalola State Park in Dawsonville, Georgia. "First Day Hikes" is hosted by Georgia State Park on the first day of the new year. Left to right: Melinda Rubke-Web Designer, Daniel Bailey-hiking buddy, Denise Ray-Communications Specialist, and Janet Miller-Accountant II pose in front of the arch which marks the approach to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. away from UNG

CHECK OUT THE GREAT DEALS EMPLOYEE PERKS ATLANTA HAWKS HOME GAMES GA AQUARIUM ZOO ATLANTA This section brought to you to highlight offers on the Team Georgia website CLICK HERE FOR TEAM GEORGIA DISCOUNTS & ATTRACTIONS

Kerby Broome Groundskeeper, Facilities South, Gainesville Eddie Garrett VP for Strategic Communications and Marketing, Dahlonega Christopher Greene Director, Center of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Dahlonega Yunus Gumbo Systems Engineer, IT Administrative Computing, Gainesville Clara Julissa Hurtado Lead GED Facilitator Curriculum Coordinator, Gainesville Cloe Thomason Administrative Assistant IV, Psychological Science, Multi-Campus Bailee Wilson Housing Coordinator, Residence Life, Dahlonega Mary Woodard Nurse Practitioner/PA, Student Health Services, Gainesville NEW NIGHTHAWKS Blue Ridge Cumming Dahlonega Gainesville Oconee Tuesday, Jan. 9 9AM-12PM Zoom link below: New Employee Orientation

If you need this form in an additional format, please reach out to Michael McLeod Visit MyUNG for previous issues of the HR newsletters email: hr@ung.edu phone: 706.864.1440 dah: downtown office building gvl: administration building oco: jamestown blvd., suite 207

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