Loyola University Chicago

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February 2019 Human Resources Updates

Dear Faculty and Staff, 

Human Resources is pleased to provide updates and announce new programs and services for our Loyola community. Please review the information below to learn more about how you can participate in the Go Move Challenge; save and earn cash rewards by utilizing a Benefits Value Advisor (BVA); and work toward accomplishing your personal and professional development goals by attending EMERGE classes at no cost to you. In addition, we invite you to provide valuable feedback related to diversity and inclusion at Loyola. 

Get Moving with the Go Move Challenge: February 1 to February 28
The seventh annual Go Move Challenge is underway now through February 28. This year, 24 Jesuit institutions will compete to determine which university is the most active. Every minute of intentional, physical movement counts in this challenge! The first 50 participants to reach and track 500 minutes will win a special prize. In addition, the Loyola department averaging the most minutes of activity will also win a prize. You still have time to register for the challenge at gomovechallenge.org.

Save Time and Money with a Benefits Value Advisor
Using a Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Benefits Value Advisor (BVA) can save you time and money on your next procedure. Loyola will reward you with cash-back incentives for utilizing a BVA and using lower-cost services. Faculty and staff members who are enrolled in a Loyola medical plan can contact a BVA by calling the phone number located on the back of their BCBS member ID cards or by using the unique link found in their Blue Access for Members portal. 

Mark Your Calendar: July 5 is the 2019 Floating Holiday
As a friendly reminder, the University has determined that Friday, July 5, will be the 2019 “Floating Holiday.” Learn more by visiting the 2019 pay and holiday calendar online

Take Time for a Paycheck Checkup
The beginning of the calendar year is a good time to review your federal and state tax withholdings to ensure that you have selected the correct amount of taxes to be withheld for 2019. View your current tax withholdings using the “Payment Modeling” tool found within Employee Self-Service. To make changes to your withholdings, please complete a new federal and/or Illinois W-4 at LUC.edu/hr/forms, and submit the document(s) to Human Resources for processing. 

EMERGE—Professional and Personal Development
Space is still available for EMERGE classes scheduled to take place in February. The program offers personal, professional, and wellness seminars. Whether you are in a leadership role or are a member of a team, you will find a program that helps you increase your knowledge and strengthen your skills. We encourage you to visit the EMERGE website to register for the following courses:

  • February 11: Emotional Intelligence (Lake Shore Campus)
    • Increase insight into emotional competency in the workplace.
    • Identify interpersonal and social skills that enhance work performance.
    • Motivate participants to develop their own emotional intelligence self-improvement plan.
  • February 14: Project Management Introduction (Water Tower Campus)
    • The Project Management Office will facilitate this half-day program.
    • Learn about setting realistic project deadlines, communicating more effectively, monitoring progress, and ensuring your project is delivered on time.
  • February 20: First-Time Home Buyers (Health Sciences Campus)
    • Increase your understanding of the process for buying a home for the first time.
  • February 26: Responsible Communication (Lake Shore Campus)
    • Increase your understanding of the components of responsible communication.
    • Get introduced to four styles of communication.
    • Practice assertive communication techniques.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Perspectives, Loyola’s Employee Assistance Program, provides supportive materials designed to help you live a balanced lifestyle. A number of webinars are offered annually for both professional and personal use. You can review Perspectives’ SkillBuilders website in order to access archived material throughout the year or complete self-directed searches for valuable resources that may benefit you and your family. 

Participate in Listening Sessions
The Executive Council on Diversity and Inclusion is excited to announce that Listening Sessions are in full swing across the Lake Shore and Health Sciences campuses. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to participate in a session in order to share information about their diversity-related experiences at Loyola. Feedback provided can help shape diversity-, inclusion-, and equity-related programming, activities, and resources available across the University based on campus climate and support. Please watch for an e-mail invitation soon. We encourage you to RSVP and attend in order to help us continue to create and foster a welcoming and thriving campus community. 

If you have questions regarding any of these updates, please visit LUC.edu/hr

Sincerely, 

Winifred L. Williams, PhD
Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer