Human Resources News Blog

All About Going Vegan Lunch & Learn Well Attended

Published March 13, 2018

Wellness

On March 6th, Silke Feltz, PhD candidate who studies the rhetoric of veganism, gave an insightful and thoughtful presentation on veganism, while attendees enjoyed a vegan sampling menu catered by the MUB. Dishes included lentil soup, quinoa black bean salad, jerk tofu stir fry, and a chilled coconut pumpkin mousse.

Silke defined veganism for the crowd, discussed what the world eats, and covered tips and myths about transitioning to a vegan diet. She also provided a wealth of resources. On behalf of WorkLife Connections and Employee Wellness, thank you to Silke and our volunteers who helped facilitate this lunch & learn.

If you were unable to attend this event and would like more information about going vegan, email Shannon Brodeur for a copy of the presentation.

All About Going Vegan Lunch & Learn

Published March 5, 2018

By

Wellness

Have you considered going vegan but don’t know where to start? Join us for a discussion about a vegan diet, how and why you might consider going vegan, and sample a vegan tasting menu catered by the MUB.

This Lunch and Learn is presented by Silke Feltz, PhD candidate who studies the rhetoric of veganism, and hosted by Employee Wellness and WorkLife Connections. It will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, in Memorial Union Alumni Lounge.Register here. Space is limited.

A sample of vegan foods and refreshments will be provided. This free event is open to faculty, staff and students. Email Shannon Brodeur with questions.

Tuesday, March 6 at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Win by Losing Weight Loss Challenge Coming Soon

Published February 13, 2018

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Wellness

Have you been trying to get healthier and lose weight? Employee Wellness and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan invite you to participate in “Win by Losing,” a free, fun and healthy challenge, open to Michigan Tech employees, that can help you take personal responsibility for your health and reach your weight-loss goals.

Register to be part of Michigan Tech’s team beginning today. The official competition runs from Feb. 26 through April 27.

Participants will submit weekly weigh-ins to compete against other BCBSM group customers. You will also receive weekly emails with tips to help you meet your goals.

Lunch & Learn Schedule

Published January 8, 2018

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Wellness

Want to learn more about staying physically active, eating well, and reducing stress? Bring your lunch and join us for a wellness-themed Lunch & Learn. Previous sessions have included presentations on biking, starting a running program, eating well, knitting for stress reduction, and acupuncture, to name just a few. Subscribe to the Employee Wellness newsletter to learn about these events and more by emailing Shannon Brodeur, sbrodeur@mtu.edu.

Upcoming Schedule:

January 21: Essential Oils 101 with Superior Essentials. From everyday applications to basic science, you’ll leave this information-packed session with invaluable tools to support your health with essential oils.

February TBD: Sample Vegan dishes with the Copper Country Vegans. Learn about the benefits of a plant-based diet and how to get started. The MUB will be catering this event and offering several vegan dishes to sample.

April 11: Get in Gear with the Campus Bike Initiative and BIKE!. Enjoy a “commuter bike” fashion show while learning about commuting by bike, bike safety, and Bike to Work Day, coming in May.

Have an idea for a wellness-themed Lunch & Learn? We’d love to hear from you.

Remember to Use Your TechFit Benefit

Published December 7, 2017

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Wellness

Remember to use your TechFit benefit before the end of the year!

TechFit provides employees, retirees of Michigan Tech, and their dependents with a monetary supplement towards an eligible wellness program (see the website for more details):

$150.00 each calendar year for benefit eligible employees and retirees of Michigan Tech.
$100.00 for all (not each) dependents per calendar year. Dependents include spouse and children that are eligible dependents for healthcare.

Check your balance in Banweb under the Employees/Benefits and Deductions/TechFit tabs.

Complete your Health Risk Assessment and get your yearly physical by December 31, 2017, in order to receive your HRA incentive. Contact benefits@mtu.edu for information.

Relax for the Holidays Well Attended

Published November 16, 2017

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Wellness

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the MUB on November 8th to Relax for the Holidays. Approximately 50 participants reduced stress with mini yoga sessions offered by Beth Ryynanen, HuskiesFit. Everyone went home with make-and-take soup mix and trail mix, while Michelle Coria, Young Living Oils representative, was on hand with samples of essential oils designed to melt the stress away and keep keep the germs at bay.

J. Jukuri generously donated giveaways for the event. Congratulations to our winners:

Manicure: Lisa Normand

Massage: Renae DesRochers

Massage: Amy Mensch

Special Operating Hours Over Thanksgiving Break

Published November 15, 2017

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Special Operating Hours Over Thanksgiving Break

The University will be closed on the following days—Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24. Business Operations has posted the departmental hours of operation during the Thanksgiving break on their website.

This will be updated regularly prior to Nov. 23. If your department has not yet submitted your Special Operating Hours, do so using this google form posted on the website.

Note: for employees in units considered critical areas of operation, regular hours and shifts will continue as usual and as needed over the entire break. Check with your supervisor to determine if you or your area is considered a critical area of operation.

For questions, contact Business Operations at 7-2148.

Worried About Winter Weather?

Published October 23, 2017

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Employment Services

With winter weather approaching, now is a good time for departments to begin discussing communication procedures for weather-related absences. During times when weather conditions deteriorate, each person within the University community must exercise personal judgment on the ability to get to or from campus.

Interruptions in work due to weather are no different than other events that cause us to leave work early or arrive late. The first thing employees should do is contact their supervisors directly and explain the situation.

Hourly employees may use vacation or comp time to make up for hours missed due to bad weather. Exempt employees are expected to fulfill their regular job responsibilities.

Please exercise caution in adverse conditions. In the event the local public schools are closed, remember that Michigan Tech has a policy regarding Children in the Workplace.
For questions or concerns, employees should contact Human Resources at 7-2280 or email Amy Mensch at ajmensch@mtu.edu.

Lunch & Learn: Relax for the Holidays Open House

Published October 17, 2017

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All faculty, staff, and students are invited to stop by the Memorial Union Ballroom B between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 to attend an open-house style Lunch and Learn.

The 4th annual “Relax for the Holidays” open house will feature several relaxation stations, including Aromatherapy with Michelle Coria and Yoga & Guided Relaxation with Beth Ryynanen. There will also be some “fun” stations: a coloring station, light therapy, make-and-take soup mix, and more.

Attendees will be eligible to enter a free drawing for prizes by J. Jukari Spa and Salon. Feel free to bring your lunch; tea and hot chocolate will be provided. Attending employees will earn 100 HuskyPAW points.

This event is sponsored by WorkLife Connections and Employee Wellness.

Contact sbrodeur@mtu.edu with questions.

Lunch and Learn Well Attended

Published October 5, 2017

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Wellness

With everything life throws at you, how do you handle stress? Lynn Anderson, certified massage therapist and owner of The Healing Nest in Laurium, was on hand Wednesday to share her personal journey into finding ways to manage physical and emotional symptoms. She also demonstrated simple hand-on techniques for relaxing the nervous system for yourself and others. Attendees left feeling a little more relaxed with tools to help reduce stress and a list of Lynn’s favorite books. Lois Sedar, Recreation, was the winner of the massage giveaway.