Election stress: UWHR resources

No matter where you stand on candidates and issues, it is important to acknowledge how many may feel due to the election. Stress and anxiety can affect our health, our work, and our relationships and interactions with others. Please review and share UWHR’s resources to help employees and managers over the next few weeks:

FOR MANAGERS

* Office Hours with POD: Election stress is real, and at this moment in time leaders are managing unprecedented levels of anxiety and distress among their teams. Join POD’s experienced consultants to ask questions, discuss organizational and interpersonal challenges, and get help with managing during this difficult time. The Nov. 2 session will focus on addressing anxiety and sharing best practices for preparing your team, and the Nov. 9 session will focus on moving your team forward and helping people become “unstuck.” Register for the Monday, Nov. 2 and/or the Monday, Nov. 9 session from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

* 2020 Election Support Series – Daily Reminders to Practice Resilience: Participants will receive an e-mail from The Whole U every work day between Monday, October 26 and Friday, November 13 that includes concrete, 5–15 minute action steps to support resilience, compassion for others and self-care.

* 14 Day Election Stress Mediation: Find relaxation and build resilience this election season through practicing mindfulness. Join Catherine Bachy and Jeff Leinaweaver for a 10-minute guided meditation session at noon starting October 26 and continuing daily through November 6. This meditation session will have you calm, focused, and empowered for the rest of the day.

* Healthy Media Consumption as Election Day Approaches: Watch UW CareLink’s on-demand webinar to learn about healthy media consumption habits that don’t damage your mental and physical wellbeing.

* Helpful tips are also available in Work-Life Director Kathleen Farrell’s article on resilience strategies and in UW CareLink’s election stress guide.

* Dealing with Harassment: In the upcoming season we may see an increase in online harassment. SafeCampus continues to be available if you or someone you know is targeted. There are many kinds of online harassment, from the annoying (rude comments made by online trolls), to the invasive (doxing), to the potentially dangerous and traumatic (cyberstalking, threats of violence, hate speech and beyond). UW staff, faculty and students may be targeted because of a belief they share in a classroom, a political position they hold or because of their area of research. You do not have to deal with the situation alone, reach out to SafeCampus for caring consultation and resources at 206-685-7233 or visit their online harassment resources at: uw.edu/safecampus/harassment-and-sexual-harassment/

Event: Promoting Equity and Justice for Caregivers at UW

The Faculty Council on Women in Academia will host a discussion of current realities, polices, practices, and support during COVID-19 and beyond. (Event website)

Friday, October 30, 2020 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (PST)

Open to all University of Washington caregivers.

Join the event on Zoom:

One tap mobile: +12063379723,,5608294138# US (SEATTLE),
+12532158782,,5608294138# US (TACOMA)

Zoom meeting ID: 560 829 4138

COVID-19 Caregiver Task Force

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for employee and student caregivers everywhere. Locally, COVID-19 has worsened an existing caregiving crisis by causing many child care centers to close or reduce capacity and reducing programs and services that provide support for children, adults and caregivers.

On July 30, 2020, President Cauce charged a task force with recommending enhancements that UW can make to better support employee and student caregivers during the 2020-21 academic year. The PSO contributed to this task force, and we are glad to share the report.

Resources for Caring for self and family

HR Website: https://hr.uw.edu/coronavirus/caring-for-self-and-family/

UW mailman email list for Parents – this list covers resources and information of interest to UW Workers who are also juggling child care, remote schooling, and other responsibilities. If you are interested, you may sign-up here:

http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/parenting

EXPIRING SOON: Two Surveys: Caregiver Needs and Managers supporting Caregivers

Good afternoon,

The pandemic has magnified challenges related to caregiving for parents and for those with adult or elder care responsibilities. If you are an employee or graduate student trying to manage caregiving responsibilities with work or your studies, the UW COVID-19 Caregiver Task Force needs your input:

Complete the Supporting Working Parents & Other Caregivers Needs Assessment if you are a UW graduate student or working parent and/or have other caregiving responsibilities. Your participation in the survey is anonymous and personally identifiable information is not being collected.
Complete the Manager Survey: Supporting Working Parents & Other Caregivers if you are a supervisor or manager of employees who have caregiving responsibilities.

Both surveys will open through Friday, Aug. 14, at 5 p.m. Results will shape the recommendations put forth by UW COVID-19 Caregiver Task Force, co-led by Graduate School Dean Joy Williamson-Lott and Work-Life Director Kathleen Farrell. Results will also be published on UWHR’s Working during COVID-19 website.

Thank you,

The executive sponsors of the UW COVID-19 Caregiver Task Force:
Cheryl Cameron, Vice Provost for Academic Personnel
Sarah Norris Hall, Vice Provost for Planning and Budgeting
Mindy Kornberg, J.D., Vice President for UW Human Resources