HR News

The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for families across the country. As more and more schools close, requiring school-age children to remain at home in an effort to promote self-distancing, parents are looking for ways to maintain their responsibilities while supporting the educational needs and development of those in their care.

In the months since the first outbreak of COVID-19, scientists and medical professionals have noted that individuals 60+ years of age can be the most vulnerable to the illness. While anyone with a compromised immune system or preexisting condition may have an increased vulnerability and face greater issues from an infection, older individuals are at risk because they may have age-related concerns—an aging immune system and/or already present medical challenges—that can contribute to the severe respiratory illness that frequently accompanies a COVID-19 infection.

It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this situation. Americans across the country–and just like you–are looking for ways to cope with the complexity of this crisis and are finding the support they need to overcome the challenges in front of them. There are resources that can help you address the changes in your life this health emergency may create. From financial information that can help you stretch every dollar to emotional wellbeing resources that can aid in cutting anxiety and reducing stress, there’s something here for you that can make every day a little easier.

Let’s share our words of appreciation and gratitude for each other during this challenging time. A SHOUT OUT! is intended to identify and recognize individuals or groups for a noteworthy act or effort. Stay connected, stay strong, stay positive!

 

Many faculty and staff have coordinated remote work arrangements as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health emergency. This may be a new concept for some and will require adjustment for all. Transitioning to working from home will have its challenges, but faculty and staff can successfully remain efficient and engaged, while also continuing to care for themselves and their families.

Efficiency

• create a dedicated work space: Of course, a home office is ideal, but if you’re not in a position to secure an entire room, carve out space somewhere in your home designated only for work. Try to have a desk or table and a chair that is dedicated to you performing your job and eliminate any unnecessary clutter.
• maintain regular hours: Set a schedule, and stick to it..the best that you can. It is important to maintain work-life balance and having a clear guideline for when to work and when to call it a day.
• stay motivated: One of the best ways to keep motivated is to set a schedule. Give yourself a routine, set daily goals and prioritize your daily duties. You can also look for training opportunities to further your professional development.

Engagement

• stay connected to colleagues: It is important not to lose connection with your team. Tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom can keep you and your team connected and informed, as to not lose cohesiveness or lack of progress on progress.
• take a “water cooler” break: There may be some feelings of loneliness and disconnect, try to take some time to interact and socialize with your colleagues outside of all work talk. Have a quick chat via text, email, FaceTime, or Teams about something fun and exciting.
• work visibly: Increasing your visibility can help maintain stronger relationships with your virtual team and colleagues and you will be better able to stay in the loop. Speaking up and contributing during remote meetings helps your presence be felt and let’s everyone know you are engaged.
• be available: Answer emails, phone calls, Teams chat and texts in a timely, friendly manner—remember, when you work remotely, no one can see your facial expression or hear the tone of your voice…so be considerate with your communication. Everyone is doing their best!

Self-care

• be positive: Don’t be too hard on yourself, working from home can be a big transition especially during these times. Any transition takes time to get used to, so stay positive and try to be easy on yourself.
  • Forbes: 9 Ways to Stay Positive During the Coronavirus Pandemic
• take breaks: Try to schedule in breaks for yourself throughout the day, set your alarm or mark it on your calendar. Don’t short-change yourself, it is important to take some time and step away from your .
  • Do Nothing for Two Minutes
  • 10-Minute Yoga Practice
  • Calm Breath
• build physical activity into your day: As you take breaks, try and do some stretches or take a walk. Build movement into your everyday. You can even simply stand up while working.
  • 10 Best Stretches for Office Workers
  • Five Upper Body Moves

Additional resources

• HBR: Coronavirus Could Force Teams to Work Remotely
• HBR: A Guide to Managing Your (Newly) Remote Workers
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• CNBC: 5 tips for effectively working from home during the coronavirus outbreak, when you have kids
• Forbes: Top 15 Tips To Effectively Manage Remote Employees

As most of us adjust to working remotely, there may be opportunity to enhance and develop business, technology-related and creative skills through expert-led course videos using LinkedIn Learning. Let’s make the best of a tough situation and stay engaged, productive and positive!

Here’s how it works:

• If you haven’t used LinkedIn Learning before or need a refresher, logon to How to Use LinkedIn Learning to learn the ins and outs of how to find courses that fit your learning objectives, discover learning paths, how to play and pause videos, and customize your learning experience.
• Sign in using your NetID and password LinkedInlearning.syr.edu
• Find the right learning content for you by using the easy-to-use search tool found on the home page.
  • There is something for everyone! Choose from over 4,000 on-demand courses in a wide variety of topics areas such as communication, customer service, management, personal development, time management, technology, mindfulness and much more!
• Explore the LinkedIn Learning offerings, make a plan, and chart your personal learning path.

Here’s some suggestions to get you started:

Once you are logged in to LinkedIn Learning, simply click on the links below to view:

• Microsoft Teams Essential Training
• Managing Organizational Change for Managers
• Managing Virtual Teams
• How to Manage Feeling Overwhelmed
• Building a Better To-Do List

Please discuss your LinkedIn Learning plans with your supervisor as appropriate to your areas and units.

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Questions about LinkedIn Learning should be directed to Pam Gavenda at pegavend@syr.edu.

This is an unprecedented time for employers and their employees. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated worries related to both everyday matters and larger health concerns. Carebridge is providing resources to support employees and leaders in reducing the risk for illness, tending to the needs of loved ones while remaining focused and productive with work responsibilities.

Webinar: Coping with Uncertainty

In this presentation, participants will learn coping strategies to reduce stress associated with fear and trauma and to develop resiliency skills for the future. Attention will be given to trauma responses of fear, anger, and grief to help participants identify and understand their emotional and behavioral reactions to recent world events and previous incidents of trauma. While this presentation will primarily focus mostly on adult experiences, there will be an opportunity to discuss how children react to fear and trauma and how caregivers can best assist them. Emphasis will include the uncertainty produced during a pandemic.

View recorded webinar via Zoom

Tuesday, March 24 Noon-1 p.m. Register now!

Webinar: Motivating through Change for Leaders

As a leader in your organization, it is your responsibility to motivate your employees through times of change and uncertainty. Whether or not you have had experience leading through a crisis in the past, this training will help you with the skills you need to facilitate change and promote personal and employee resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thursday, March 26 Noon-1 p.m. Register now!

Article: Working from Home During a Pandemic

As most schools are closed for the time being parents are faced with finding childcare options including working form home while watching their kids. This article is a helpful resource on managing working remotely.

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Carebridge recently expanded their network of counselors providing telephonic and video sessions. They remain available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by calling 800.437.0911. With additional counseling resources, Carebridge anticipates that they will maintain or increase the availability of counselors through the coming months.

Dear Faculty and Staff:

Syracuse University continues to closely monitor and evaluate health advisories and guidance from federal, state and local public health officials related to the COVID-19 health emergency. Accordingly, given new and updated guidance, we write today to communicate important information for faculty and staff. Specifically:

• Effective Tuesday, March 17, and through to March 30, only essential faculty and staff should report to our Syracuse, New York, campus.
• Supervisors within the schools, colleges and units will determine essential personnel and advise employees of that determination.
• All faculty and staff who are not required to report to campus will coordinate remote work arrangement with their immediate supervisor.
• Supervisors will register remote work arrangement through the existing online system, previously detailed by the Office of Human Resources. If staff have already made arrangements and received approval from their supervisor, those arrangements remain in effect and should be registered in the system.
• Faculty and staff working in our centers in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles should expect direction from your supervisor related to reporting procedures.

Importantly, we take these steps to reduce the density of employees on campus, consistent with social distancing best practices positioned to mitigate the potential of COVID-19 exposure. The University otherwise remains open, and we will continue to provide necessary services to support our students, faculty and our academic mission.

Thank you to all of you for your ongoing efforts to ensure the well-being of our campus community.

Sincerely,

Andrew Gordon
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

At this time of year, it is more important than ever to continue good practices to help prevent the spread of contagious illnesses, such as the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a list of good habits to protect yourself from the flu and other illnesses, including the following:

• Get a flu shot! Proper vaccination is the best protection against the flu. Faculty and staff can receive the vaccination at the Barnes Center at the Arch pharmacy until Feb. 28.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often to help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated. Because of this, please avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

“The most common symptoms associated with flu are congestion, fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, and body aches and chills. If you begin experiencing these symptoms, rest, fluids and fever-reducing medication will help manage the symptoms. While most flu illnesses resolve on their own, if you’re experiencing severe illness or have concerns, seek care promptly,” says Dr. Karen Nardella.

Faculty and staff who experience flu-like symptoms should consult their primary care physician.