Exercising with your dog can serve as added motivation to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Whether it’s taking a leisurely stroll, playing a game of fetch, or going for a quick jog around the neighborhood, both of you can embark on a journey to better health by exercising together.
Tips for Exercising With Your Dog | Blue365 Deals
Join us on Wednesday, May 8th for the Official State of North Carolina Employee Appreciation Day Ice Cream Social!
Campus employees can join the Chancellor and Leadership for a scoop of ice cream or sherbet. A limited number of t-shirts will be given out on a first come first serve basis.
Main Campus:
When: Wednesday, May 8th from 1:30pm-3:30pm or 6pm-730pm
Where: Campus Commons (Rain location- Warwick Center)
CMS:
When: Wednesday, May 8th from 1:30pm-3:30pm
Where: Main lobby
DC Virgo:
When: Wednesday, May 8th from 10:00am-1:00pm
Where: Teacher’s Lounge
The Learning and Talent Development team is conducting focus groups to gather feedback on what topics and types of professional development you would like to see offered. Your participation is important to us and we hope you will join us for one of these upcoming sessions!
Open Sessions:
May 7th from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
May 16th from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
To sign up for a focus group, please visit the Dare to Learn Academy or use the links above. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Tessa Lachman (lachmant@uncw.edu)
We look forward to working with you!
Life gets hard sometimes. It can leave us feeling overwhelmed, defeated, and unsure how to move forward. Castlight can help you find a primary care provider to help you get the emotional health support you need. You can use the QR code provided to download the mobile app or use the weblink to register for Castlight today.
Castlight May '24 Mental Health
Your mental health journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking small steps every day can have big, positive impacts in the long run. That’s why we created the Small Steps, Big Impact Challenge. Between May 13 – 24, you’ll receive a challenge email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each email will include one core Calm content piece that’ll take you less than 10 minutes to complete and an additional resource to help you navigate life’s ups and downs while improving your overall well-being. Take your first step today by joining the challenge! For a seamless experience with this challenge, make sure to register by May 12 with the email that’s already linked to your Calm subscription.
Small Steps, Big Impact Challenge - Calm Link
Finding time to consistently care for our mental health can be a challenge. But amid the stresses of everyday life and impact of current global events, taking even the smallest steps to care for ourselves is critical. In fact, according to Calm’s 2024 Voice of the Workplace Report, there’s a lot of work to be done: 69% of survey respondents said their mental health stayed the same or got worse in the past year. And 60% say their anxiousness or trouble sleeping affects their performance at work. So what’s the key to navigating the path to better mental health without feeling overwhelmed by yet another item on our to-do list? In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, join renowned psychologist Dr. Rheeda Walker and Calm’s Chief Clinical Officer Chris Mosunic as they discuss how to build a sustainable toolbox to support and strengthen your mental fitness both in and out of the workplace.
Cultivating Your Calm: A Mental Health Awareness Month Conversation - Calm Link
Weight loss plateaus are a completely normal, yet confusing part of losing weight. Understanding why they happen and how to work through them can be crucial to continuing your weight loss journey. In this free, statewide Worksite Wellness webinar, Katie Godin, RD, LDN from LifeStyle Medical Centers will discuss setting appropriate weight management goals and how to work through those stubborn weight loss plateaus. After a brief presentation, Katie will demonstrate how to make a delicious Broccoli and Grape Salad! The recipe will be shared with all who register for the event.
TIAA will have a representative here on campus May 7th & 8th to discuss retirement and financial planning with individuals one-on-one. These meetings will last about 45 minutes long and will be held at McNeill Hall Conference Room MC 1042. If you would like to schedule a time, please use the link below to register for a meeting time.
Let’s prioritize meditation together. Join the Headspace team for a special live session to honor World Meditation Day. Save your spot and share a peaceful moment with a global community. Use the link below to register to join.
More than 75 lives can be saved and healed by one organ, eye, and tissue donor. Anyone of any age and with any medical condition can register their decision to give the gift of life. More than 3,000 North Carolinians along with more than 100,000 Americans are on the national transplant list waiting for a second chance at life.
We are happy to share that P&A’s vendor-partner, FSA Store, is now available on P&A’s MyBenefits mobile app. Participants can access FSA Store directly from the main menu where they can discover thousands of eligible FSA expenses, shop bundled packages and take advantage of special discounts. P & A is the vendor partner of NCFlex for our Flexible Spending Accounts.
CapTrust will have a representative on campus on May 9th from 8AM-5PM to host one-on-one sessions to discuss financial & retirement planning and investment strategies. The meetings will last about 45 minutes long in Administrative Annex Room AD 2004. If you'd like to sign up, please click on the link below.
Calm brings you a webinar focused on Mental Health Awareness Month on May 15th at 12:00 PM EST
CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, the independent advisory firm that works on the UNC Retirement Programs, will be conducting phone consultations on April 16, 18, 22, 24 and 25. If desired, there are video/screensharing capabilities available at the time of your appointment. Topics covered in the forty-five-minute individual advisory sessions may include retirement, financial planning, & investment education.
Mental health can feel intensely personal, but no matter the challenge you’re facing, others have been there, too. And connecting with people about their healing journeys not only offers lightbulb moments for our own well-being, it also reminds us we're not alone. In this live workshop, hear from Headspace experts — all sharing candid insights about their personal experiences with mental health and the strategies they’ve utilized to care for their minds.
In 2023, it was announced that after a careful review of our retirement program, the University decided to move from two retirement plan recordkeepers (TIAA and Fidelity) to a single recordkeeper (TIAA) for all UNC Retirement Plans. The move to a single recordkeeper will provide the opportunity to offer more tools, services, and guidance that can be personalized to meet your individual goals and needs. The transition to TIAA is under way and will be completed by mid- to late April.
Join the Human Resources Leadership Team for a wide-ranging information session that covers team member introductions, benefit questions, policy changes and additional updates from the System Office, and more. Please use the provided Zoom link to access the webinar.
If you are interested in learning more about a macronutrient balanced diet, then register for the State Health Plan's wellness webinar. It will be taking place on April 23 from 11:30-12:30. Use the link below to register.
NCFlex will present topics like how to view your account, how the convenience card works, submitting documentation requests, and more. If you have an NCFlex Flexible Spending account and are interested in joining this webinar, please use the link below to register.
Join experts from Headspace in a live meditation session to help you learn how to use mindfulness tools to ease tension, find a sense of calm in the storm, and navigate your way through challenging times. If you are interested in joining, use the link below to register.
All UNCW Staff Members earn annual Community Service Leave to encourage employees to connect with the community outside of our University. To promote this, UNCW’s Learning & Talent Development Team offers opportunities for employees to sign up for scheduled times with local partners to go out and support the community. This month features Habitat for Humanity on April 24th from 7:45am-1:00pm.
Recently, UNC System campuses received updates from the System Office on several important topics related to EHRA non-faculty and SHRA classification and compensation. These changes, summarized below, will play out over the course of 2024 and are part of a larger plan to increase market competitiveness and update outdated personnel policies.
Understanding you may have questions, I invite you to join us for an HR webinar on Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 9-10 a.m. via Zoom for a discussion of these changes and updates on benefits and wellness, professional development, recruitment and more. In the meantime, please contact Human Resources at hrsearch@uncw.edu with questions.
UNC System Office partnered with an external consultant to complete a comprehensive salary analysis and labor market study for SHRA and EHRA non-faculty positions.
SHRA Career Banding Salary Ranges: UNC System HR released revised market-based SHRA Career Banding Salary Ranges which have been approved by the Office of State Human Resources, the State Human Resources Commission and the Governor. SHRA employees can find their Career Band title and competency level by going to mySeaport ==> Employee Essentials ==> Employee Dashboard ==> Job Summary==> Job Information. Competency level is indicated in the “Grade” field. The revised ranges can be viewed on the HR Classification and Compensation website.
EHRA Non-Faculty Classification Structure and Salary Ranges: UNC System HR is developing a new classification structure and salary ranges for EHRA non-faculty positions. Additional information is anticipated by late spring and implementation of the changes in Banner HR and PeopleAdmin will follow.
What this means: The implementation is revenue neutral. This means there will be no automatic state-funded, across-the-board salary increases associated with the implementation of these updated ranges. However, UNCW leadership is working to identify funding to address the most pressing market-related salary concerns. In addition, we remain hopeful that the North Carolina legislature will approve a labor market adjustment fund in their next legislative session.
UNC Board of Governors approved policy changes creating a new category of EHRA non-faculty employees. UNC Policy 300.1.1
The North Carolina legislature approved legislation extending EHRA status to SHRA employees and positions designated as exempt from the minimum wage and overtime compensation provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
TIAA Financial Educational Webinars for April
TIAA is presenting the following Financial Educational webinars during the month of April. If you are interested in joining any of them, please click on the link provided to register.
Check out some health tips and discount options by reading over various topics from the State Health Plan featured in their Member Focus Newsletter. Click on the link below to check it out.
NCFlex will present topics like how to view your account, how the convenience card works, submitting documentation requests, and more. If you have an NCFlex Flexible Spending account and are interested in joining this webinar, please use the link below to register.
Join experts from Headspace in a live meditation session to help you learn how to use mindfulness tools to ease tension, find a sense of calm in the storm, and navigate your way through challenging times. If you are interested in joining, use the link below to register.
Eat Smart, Move More, Prevent Diabetes is an online CDC-recognized diabetes prevention program for those with prediabetes or at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The yearlong program has two phases, each six months long. It begins with weekly sessions and then tapers to monthly sessions. Participants receive incentives throughout the program for achieving attendance milestones. The program has specific eligibility criteria for individuals to participate. Until August 2024, eligible North Carolinians (regardless of insurance coverage) can register for $30 and receive a full refund if they meet attendance and tracking milestones throughout the program. Eligible NC residents can register with no coupon/voucher code needed.
Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less is a 15-week online weight management program that informs, empowers, and motivates participants to live mindfully as they make choices about healthy eating and physical activity. Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to participate in this program. The program cost is typically $250; however, it is FREE for active members of the NC State Health Plan (retirees covered by Humana are not eligible for the discount). Eligible members can register by clicking the link below and enter the coupon/voucher code - GNC2024
All UNCW Staff Members earn annual Community Service Leave to encourage employees to connect with the community outside of our University. To promote this, UNCW’s Learning & Talent Development Team offers opportunities for employees to sign up for scheduled times with local partners to go out and support the community. This month features Vintage Values stores on March 15th from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Our State Human Resources Office offers monthly virtual lunch and learn webinars to discuss ways to improve your mental and physical health. You can discover nutritious recipes, get health and safety tips, and gain valuable information for taking care of your mind and body. If you are interested in this month's Wellness Webinar, "The Importance of Fiber" OR if you want to take a look at what other webinars are coming up in the months to come, click on the link below.
Headspace Care will be hosting a few webinars in March. The first is a Live Meditation webinar called Connecting the Mind and Body. This will be held on Thursday March 7th at Noon. If you'd like to join, please register using this link: Connecting Mind and Body Webinar
NCFlex and EyeMed are offering savings to their members. Click the link below to get more information.
NCFlex is sharing a recent report from the American Heart Association. Please click the link below to read more.
NCFlex is offering a variety of webinar opportunities for its members in March and April. To review the topics and sign up to join them, please click on the link.
Check out these topics and more on the Member Focus newsletter from the State Health Plan: Understanding Your Medical Plan Options When You Become Medicare-Eligible' Webinars for Prospective Retirees, Blue Connect Access from eBenefits, and Humana Neighborhood Center Open Houses Offered in March. Click the link below to read more.
Schedule a one-on-one session with a TIAA representative to discuss upcoming changes and retirement options. Please use the link below to register.
TIAA will be on campus at McNeill Hall this Thursday February 15th to discuss changes, enhancements, and helpful tips about the retirement plans. They will be having two sessions that you are welcome to join in person.
The beginning of the year is an ideal time to refresh your budget and your financial goals. Did you get a raise or a promotion? Have you checked your beneficiaries and withholding amounts? What can you do now to make tax season easier? Join our panel discussion as we examine and suggest smart financial steps you can take this year to reach your financial goals. Click the link to register: New Year, New Goals
American Heart Month is incredibly important for raising awareness about heart health and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, so it’s essential to educate ourselves and take preventative measures. For further information, please click on this link: Heart Health Link
When it comes to tax prep, there are a few different ways you can make the process smoother. Making sure to gather all your necessary documents, like W-2 forms and receipts, in one place is a good first step. Discover additional tips in the resource by clicking on this link: Tax Prep
The Employee Assistance Program can support your well-being efforts by offering confidential emotional support, as well as legal, financial and work-life guidance, whenever and wherever you need it. To learn more about what to expect when reaching out and using the EAP program, please click on the link to watch a brief video: What To Expect Video
Headspace Care will be hosting a few webinars in March. The first is a Live Meditation webinar called Connecting the Mind and Body. This will be held on Thursday March 7th at Noon. If you'd like to join, please register using this link: Connecting Mind and Body Webinar
Headspace is holding a webinar on February 15th at 12:00 about how to build closer relationships through mindful communication. If you are interested in attending, please use the link to register.
Welcome to 2024, where the retirement landscape is evolving rapidly. New regulations, technology and workforce dynamics could mean big changes for retirement plans. We identified five key trends you can add to your list of new year resolutions to succeed in your job and help you build better retirements. Click on this link to find out more about them: Five Resolutions Link
TIAA will be holding three one-hour virtual webinar sessions to discuss the upcoming changes and enhancements to our retirement programs. If you'd like to join in these sessions, you may use the links below to register for one of them.
Take a more transformative approach to your retirement plan in 2024 with Resolution 4: Embrace AI responsibly. Discover the strategic applications of AI in operations, financial literacy, and plan design. Find a good balance between leveraging AI advantages and maintaining the essential human touch in HR interactions.
Whether you have 30 seconds or 30 minutes, Calm's diverse content library offers resources to suit your schedule and needs. Explore guided meditations and specialized music playlists to help with stress and focus, mindful movement video and audio, relaxing Sleep Stories, tailored content for children, wisdom-filled masterclasses led by experts, and much more. Your UNCW Calm subscription gives you unlimited access to the full library of content at calm.com and in the Calm app.
Sign up for a live Calm App Webinar to learn more. For information on Calm's privacy practices, see their privacy policy at calm.com/privacy.
Sign up for the upcoming Webinars brought to you by the State Health Plan. On February 6th from 11:30-12:30PM register for The Effects of Dental Care on you Health. On February 20th from 11:30-12:30pm register for Dietary & Lifestyle Modifications for Managing Type 2 Diabetes.
The Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) Safety, Health and Workers’ Compensation Division monitors the workplace safety and health programs of state agencies and universities. To proactively assist in reducing UNCW’s work-related injuries, the following safety training recommendations were made based on frequent causes of injury for the past three years. Human Resources and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) have provided training on the identified topics through HSI, the university’s learning management system. Click here for a list of recommended training modules.
The University of North Carolina System (“UNC System”) offers a choice of voluntary supplemental retirement programs so employees can save additional amounts for retirement. Click to on link for eligibility requirements.
Headspace is holding a live meditation session on February 1st at 12:00 pm about building a stronger community that starts with understanding and connecting with those around us. If you are interested in participating, please use the link to register.
The NCFlex Member Newsletter offers some tips for staying active in the cold weather, information about the NCFlexible Spending Accounts, and a short summary of upcoming February and March webinars that you may want to check out. Please use the link to read the newsletter and learn more.
As an advisor to your employer’s retirement plan, CAPTRUST is able to offer you a number of resources to help you make decisions about saving and investing for your future. Learn more about what’s available to help you plan your retirement and manage your finances, including one-on-one personalized advice, articles, webinars, videos, and more. Click on the link below to schedule an appointment to speak with an advisor.
This is just a friendly reminder to review your January paycheck to be sure the correct deductions were made for your healthcare benefits including the state health plan and any supplemental NCFlex benefits such as dental, vision, etc. If you have any questions, please contact HR Benefits, thank you.
State Health Plan department announced that you will not receive a new healthcare card for the 2024 calendar year unless you made changes to your healthcare coverages during open enrollment, or you are a new hire.
This Member Focus Newsletter has topics and webinar information about Preventative Benefits, Where to get your Vaccines, Your Health Minute, and more. Use the link below to check it out.
Review retirement information and tips from the UNC System office with this PIER Newsletter. Click on the link below to read more.
The UNC System office would like to share some 2024 Benefits reminders with you including information about the state health plan, NCFlex, and retirement plans. Please use the link below to review this information. If you have any questions about these reminders, please reach out to one of our UNCW Benefits Counselors. Thank you.
All UNCW Staff Members earn annual Community Service Leave to encourage employees to connect with the community outside of our University. To promote this, UNCW’s Learning & Talent Development Team offers opportunities for employees to sign up for scheduled times with local partners to go out and support the community. This month features The Food Bank of Central & Easter North Carolina on December 20th from 1-4 PM.
The Department of Campus Life is also featuring a volunteer event to do an inventory re-stock at Hawk’s Harvest before the holidays! They have volunteer hours from 11 AM to 1 PM on Friday, December 15th. You can choose to stay for only 1 hour, or the full 2 hours if you’d prefer.
Check out these Holiday guides by clicking on the ComPsych link below.
Watch the short video from ComPsych about how to handle holiday stress. Click on the link below to watch.
All UNCW Staff Members earn annual Community Service Leave to encourage employees to connect with the community outside of our University. To promote this, UNCW’s Learning & Talent Development Team offers opportunities for employees to sign up for scheduled times with local partners to go out and support the community. This month features The Food Bank of Central & Easter North Carolina on December 20th from 1-4 PM.
Please click on the link below to find out more information on the importance of naming your beneficiaries and the steps to do so.
12/5/23 Live with Confidence in Retirement-5 Steps to Creating Your Retirement Income Plan
12/7/23 Make the Move Toward Long-Term Financial Security
12/12/23 Write Your Next Chapter-5 Steps to Setting Your Retirement Date
12/13/23 Establish Your Retirement Plan-A Start to Finish Guide
Captrust Retirement Counselors are available to help answer your investment questions. Just click on the link below to learn how to schedule a time to discuss this.
All UNCW Staff Members earn annual Community Service Leave to encourage employees to connect with the community outside of our University. To promote this, UNCW’s Learning & Talent Development Team offers opportunities for employees to sign up for scheduled times with local partners to go out and support the community. This month features The North Carolina Diaper Bank of Lower Cape Fear!
To sign up to volunteer, please follow the link HERE to access the registration, as well as view the event date.
Whether you’re buying your first car or upgrading to the vehicle of your dreams, as an SECU member, you have access to our competitive auto loan interest rates that fit your budget. Plus, our advanced technology allows for quick and convenient closing options whether you fill out an application online, in the branch, or over the phone. SECU is offering an additional 0.50% interest rate discount to certain qualifying* North Carolina state employees and state retirees who have a membership.
Webinar will discuss our Cancer and Critical Illness Plans through Allstate and Voya, respectively. Both plans provide coverage for cancer, so what is the difference? Join us to learn the answer, plus we'll cover additional topics like how to file, who to contact with questions and the Wellness Benefit that pays you for completing a routine screening. Also learn how you can continue these plans if you leave employment during this webinar.
Captrust will be having a webinar about Trusts & Wills on November 15th. To read more about it and register click on THIS LINK.
Please click on the link to register for a webinar about how to manage your holiday stress.
Captrust offers advice about planning for your retirement and future. To read articles about these and other investment topics, please click on the following link to be redirected to Captrust's website.
Check out the Pier's latest newsletter to learn more about Planning/Investment/Engagement/Retirement Resources. Click on the link below to go to the UNC System webpage and scroll down to the archives to find the most recent newsletters from The Pier.
Check out these ComPsych webinars.
Learn more about your Retirement Options by joining one of the Empower Webinars being offered in October.
in honor of your dedication to UNCW, please enjoy some cobbler and ice cream on us, served by our chancellor and leadership team!
Open enrollment is the time of year to ensure current elections best meet your and your family's needs. In addition to reviewing your benefits, consider other items, such as verifying your beneficiaries or increasing your contributions to your retirement savings.
Phone: (910) 962-3160
Fax: (910) 962-3840