HR Newsletter March 2024

March 2024 Newsletter

Office of Human Resources QPR Virtual Training Question * Persuade * Refer March Webinars Healthy Minds Study USG Wellness Contents 03 04 06 email: hr@ung.edu phone: 706.864.1440 Campus-wide Survey 07 09 Employee Assistance Program The Sandwich Generation 10 13 Healthy Foodie Finds Weight Watchers Shepherd’s Pie We Are Hiring New Nighthawks UNG Open Positions February New Hires 11 HR Process Changes Overview and Highlights photo credit: Andy Fletcher, Oconee campus 12 New to USG? New Hire Benefits Orientation 08 Dimension Feathers Live Well March Spotlight 05 Emergency Preparedness Trainings March Training Dates

In our ongoing efforts to improve the hiring process, we’ve made strategic changes to benefit our current and soon to be employees joining the UNG. Here’s how: 01 02 03 Diverse Communication Channels: Recognizing that email communication can lead to delays, especially when applicants are slow to check their inbox, we’ve introduced a messaging app. This app allows direct communication with new hires, guiding them to the HR website for essential tasks like accepting job offers, submitting I-9 forms, or undergoing background checks. Integrated Onboarding Processes: Onboarding previously involved two steps which caused delays. Now, we request onboarding packets from our vendor as soon as a candidate accepts an offer. Simultaneously, we initiate background checks. This integrated approach ensures paperwork is in progress while checks are underway. Earlier Start Dates and Virtual I-9: We’re actively setting earlier start dates for new hires. Additionally, we’re implementing a virtual I-9 process, expediting the onboarding timeline. Enhancing New Hire Communication and Streamlining Onboarding at UNG These changes enhance efficiency, reduce administrative hurdles, and ensure a seamless transition for new UNG employees. Efficient Critical Hire Processes in CAREERS In summary, our strategic approach benefits both applicants and the organization by enhancing transparency, reducing administrative burdens, and accelerating onboarding. Traditionally, the critical hire process (CHP) was a separate and time-consuming step external to job postings. However, we’ve streamlined this process to enhance efficiency and reduce delays: 01 Integrated CHP within Job Posting: Instead of waiting for CHP completion before starting job creation, we now seamlessly integrate it into the job posting phase within CAREERS. As soon as a posting is created, the CHP is attached via the recruit justification form. This eliminates external steps and ensures a smoother and faster workflow. 02 Optimized Approval Process: The CHP now follows the same approval process as job postings, streamlining the overall procedure. By reducing wait times for CHP completion, we can promptly initiate job creation, expediting the hiring timeline.

Dimension Feathers March Spotlight Live Well Employee Initiative In a combined effort with UNG’s Live Well initiative, we will begin flagging certain features in our HR Newsletter with the correlating well-being dimensions. While we’re working to build out an employee-focused Live Well page in the future, there are currently great resources within each dimension that can apply to faculty, staff, and students. Click HERE for the Live Well UNG webpage for more information. Well-being at UNG encompasses eight dimensions. Click on each feather for more information. Well-being Feathers March 2024

Your Feedback Matters! HEALTHY MINDS UNG EMPLOYEE SURVEY As part of the Live Well UNG Initiative, UNG is participating in the University of Michigan’s Healthy Minds Survey for all part-time and full-time employees as of January 4, as well as a sample of 8,000 students. Thank you to those who have already completed the survey! We encourage you to take the opportunity to participate in the survey as results will help guide the development of future well-being initiatives focusing on faculty, staff, and student retention and success. When the survey deployed on 02/12/2024, concerns were received that this was a possible phishing attempt. As a result, the name appearing as the sender has been changed for future email reminders. The survey email will now be from the “University of Michigan” and not associated with a specific UNG staff name or email. The survey is completely anonymous to both UNG and the University of Michigan, and no one at UNG has access to the raw data. UNG will receive a report of the aggregate results from the University of Michigan, which we intend to broadly share with the UNG community this Summer and Fall as part of future well-being and Live Well UNG initiatives. Please allow 15-20 minutes to complete the survey before it closes on 03/11/2024. Finally, the link you receive from U of M is a one-time use per email account, so please do not share it with others. We appreciate your time and assistance in determining future Live Well UNG programming efforts!

Participate in March & April trainings CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Click on images for more information and to register

Prioritize tasks that align with your values. Issues often surface that seem urgent in the moment but are actually not essential. These matters can easily trump more meaningful activities. Decide where your priorities fall so that you can make decisions about what is important to you in the moment. This way when you naturally can’t get to everything, you can feel a sense of satisfaction that you have accomplished tasks that are of high value. Let go of perfectionism. We often place unrealistic expectations on ourselves. Reduce guilt related to feeling inadequate when it comes to meeting all demands, by bringing your best self to everyday tasks. Accept that you’re giving it your all and look at missteps as opportunities for growth. Make time for fun. Create opportunities to engage in enjoyable activities by embedding fun into roles, even if only for 10-15 minutes. A non-preferred task can turn into something enjoyable when you shift your perspective. Fold laundry while listening to a podcast or catching up with a friend, for example. Actively notice the enjoyable everyday moments. Becoming absorbed in small moments of joy and being present to experience them can help switch off daily responsibilities and enhance positive emotions. Remember your why. Bring conscious awareness to the importance of your current role. When faced with challenging or unpleasant tasks, remind yourself that you will feel the benefits later on, which can help provide a buffer to in-the-moment stress. Celebrate small successes. It’s often not easy to see how your hard work is paying off until you look back on your efforts and notice how certain sacrifices have paid off. Take a moment to acknowledge the outcome of your actions, especially when you might not receive positive affirmation from others. Sometimes a perspective shift can help when managing the complexities of balancing multiple roles. Your Employee Assistance Program is also available to support you. Reach out for referrals to counselors, childcare, summer camps, adult care, in-home services, and much more. 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 The Sandwich Generation: Coping with Multiple Roles An increasing number of individuals are juggling two roles simultaneously – caring for their own children and their aging parents. Many are also balancing workplace demands. The following are some strategies to help manage the pressure that comes with fulfilling these roles. Evans, K, et al. “Working Sandwich Generation Women Utilize Strategies Within and Between Roles to Achieve Role Balance”. National Library of Medicine. Accessing December 22, 2023 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4909236/ 24/7/365 PHONE: 1.844.243.4440 WEBSITE: usg.mylifeexpert.com Code: USGCares 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

Tackle Your Debt 12:00PM Healthy Cooking Demo 12:00PM March 6 Well-being Wednesday Building Your Plate Money Monday Money Monday Weight Watchers 12:00PM Tax Planning 12:00PM USG Well-being March 11 A system-wide well-being initiative CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION March 20 March 25 Click on images below to register

Healthy Foodie Finds Chicken Shepherd’s Pie PERFECT WEEK NIGHT MEAL Instructions 1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Add the potatoes to a pot of water. Bring to a boil and let them cook for 15 minutes. (Optional – add Better Than Bouillon and garlic powder to the water) 2. Drain the potatoes and add them to a mixing bowl. Add up to 1/4 cup of half and half and use a mixer to mash the potatoes. 3. While the potatoes are boiling, heat a skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter and add the onion. Cook for 3 minutes then add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. 4. Add the flour to the skillet and give it a good stir. Slowly add in the chicken broth while stirring, making sure there are no clumps of flour. 5. Heat the mixture until it simmers, then stir in the chicken and mixed vegetables. If you're not cooking it in an oven safe skillet, transfer the mixture to an 8×8 baking dish. 6. Top the chicken mixture with small dollops of the mashed potatoes and evenly spread them. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes then bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. 7. New in 2024! All employees enrolled in a USG healthcare plan have access to weight loss support through WeightWatchers®. Click HERE. Additional tips and full recipe HERE KEEPINGONPOINT.COM This recipe may contain food allergens. Please consult a treating physician before beginning any diet or exercise regimen. Email HRnewsletter@ung.edu to share your healthy recipes Ingredients 2 cups boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded 1 tablespoon light butter 1/2 cup onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup all purpose flour 2 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup fat free half and half, divided 1 cup mixed vegetables 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Grill Mates Monterey Chicken seasoning 1 lb. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces 1/2 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Salt and pepper, to taste

Tues. 3/5 9-11 a.m OR 1-3 p.m. Thurs. 3/7 10 a.m. to noon OR 3-5 p.m. Mon. 3/11 10 a.m. to noon

For more information and to apply visit: go.ung.edu/jobs Please note, the University of North Georgia career board updates daily and job postings are subject to be removed when closed or filled. WE ARE HIRING Accountant II Job ID 267893 Administrative Assistant III Job ID 268934 Administrative Assistant III, MCCB Job ID 268816 Administrative Unit Assess Coordinator Job ID 269160 Custodial Zone Coordinator Job ID 268571 Custodian Job ID 267648 Student Conduct Coordinator Job ID 268898 Cyber Program Officer, MCCB Job ID 264392 GED Facilitator, HEP (remote) Job ID 268557 General Skills Lab Coordinator, Nursing Job ID 267678 Groundskeeper I Job ID 266966 Moving Setup Worker Job ID 266222 Parking Enforcement Attendant Job ID 268910 Parking Services Associate Job ID 268915 Police Officer I Job ID 264907 Senior VP & Superintendent, CLA Job ID 268681 Senior VP for Business & Finance Job ID 268682 Shuttle Driver I & Shuttle Driver II Job ID 268896 & Job ID 268445 Simulation Specialist, Nursing ABSN Job ID 266889 Staff Therapist Job ID 266318

Welcome to USG! Explore the benefits available to you. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your personal health, well-being, and retirement needs, now and in the future. Watch the USG New Hire Benefits Orientation (coming soon) or attend an online USG Benefits Orientation by registering via one of the links below: • March 12, 2024 10:00am - 11:30a.m. • April 9, 2024 10:00am - 11:30a.m. New to USG CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Nicholas Gooch Groundskeeping Supervisor, Facilities North, Dahlonega Nihal Gunay Principal Lecturer of Psychology Assistant Department Head of UNG/DETI eCore, UNG Online Michelle Johnson Military Sales Associate, Auxiliary Services, Dahlonega Danielle Landers Central Dispatch officer II, Public Safety, Dahlonega Kenneth Meade Shuttle Driver, Auxiliary Services, Dahlonega Margaret Paul Coordinator, Student Accessibility Services, Gainesville Chico Porter Interim Associate Director, Cadet Recruiting, Dahlonega Corrigan Sauers Police Officer I, Public Safety, Gainesville Brendan Schabath Athletic Communications Director, Athletics, Dahlonega David Wilkins Tactical Officer, Commandant, Dahlonega NEW NIGHTHAWKS Blue Ridge Cumming Dahlonega Gainesville Oconee

If you need this form in an additional format, please reach out to Michael McLeod Visit MyUNG for previous issues of the HR newsletters

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