OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

December 12, 2022

ALL STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (excluding UC San Diego Health)

The information in this campus notice applies to campus staff. UC San Diego Health and Health Sciences staff should refer to Pulse for the most up-to-date information.

Updates from Human Resources

First off, I have to say how fantastic last week’s inaugural Celebration of Cultures was! The RMP Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Action (IDEA) group and partners did an outstanding job! It was inspiring to enjoy the food, be immersed in the cultures through performances and to be in community. So many of us were so excited and already talking about this event coming back next year. These opportunities feed the soul and help to further the anchors of Equity and Inclusion of the UC San Diego People Proposition.

Speaking of feeding and caring for the soul, I also cannot repeat Izabel from FSAP strongly enough about the importance of attending to and handling yourself with care during this time of year. Not only is it important to attend to your physical health during this intense respiratory illness season, it is equally important to attend to your mental health. For those who are able to take advantage of the curtailment, be sure to follow the sage advice from FSAP during the Town Hall and set realistic expectations and show yourself some grace. For those who are required to continue to work during the curtailment, take advantage of less people on campus in the areas you would normally see them, and on those breaks and in those quiet moments, reflect on how much you have accomplished, take a deep breath, and plan for something that you can do for yourself when you are off work, no matter how small.

Happening Now and Soon, Dates and Deadlines:

Enhancing the Employee Experience IdeaWave Campaign: As we announced in the IdeaWave Campus notice and during the Town Hall, we launched the Enhancing the Employee Experience IdeaWave campaign on December 6, 2022. This is the next step in the Yellow Brick Road of getting and building on continuous feedback from you to deepen our understanding of areas of opportunity and empowering you to be part of the tangible solution in support of bringing the UC San Diego People Proposition to life. The IdeaWave is also available in Spanish. For those colleagues who prefer to engage using Spanish, please let them know!

As of this writing, two of the HOT ideas are “Career Paths in Career Tracks” and “Professional photos when onboarding.” Shout out to Sally Morgan, Jon Host, Rebecca Amstadt and Moriah Stern for those ideas and to all of you who have contributed ideas, comments, and likes so far! Keep them coming! These are really important ideas and based on this, we have already started talking within Campus HR about how to enable more and clearer career pathing utilizing Career Tracks and some other tools. Remember, the more practical the idea, the better chance it has to get some traction.

Triton Treats: Join the Staff Association this Thursday, December 15 at 11:30 am to 1:00 pm for Triton Treats, Hot Chocolate and Triton Cash Cards in the Multipurpose Room of the Student Services Center.

Mindful Pause: This monthly group meeting focuses on using practical approaches for applying mindfulness-based skills in our daily lives, including our working life. As an experiential group, sessions will include basic guided meditation exercises that can be utilized to help nurture more emotional calm, focus, and presence in your daily life. Next Session: Wednesday, December 21.
Register for Mindful Pause »

2022-2023 Healthy Holiday Challenge: Holidays are often a time when our efforts to stay healthy through exercise, nutrition and stress reduction evade us. To help you stay on track this year, join UCSD Recreation and UCSD Health in the 8-week Healthy Holiday Challenge, running November 14, 2022 - January 6, 2023.

Each week you will receive an email and challenge to keep your healthy habits going. This will include areas such as movement, nutrition, stress reduction, goal setting, and more!
Click HERE to register - it's fast and easy!

News and Resources

Pay for Family Care and Bonding (PFCB) Enhanced: The income replacement offered by UC’s Pay for Family Care and Bonding (PFCB) program will increase from 70% to 100% of eligible earnings. This becomes effective December 25, 2022 for bi-weekly employees and January 1, 2023 for monthly employees. Read more on UCNet.

Staying Healthy During the Winter Curtailment and Return: We know that many of you are tired of hearing our constant reminders to take precautions, but particularly during this time of year when there are more gatherings and socializing, illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, the common cold and now even RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are most easily spread - like around the holiday table, on an airplane, in a car, etc.

Vaccinate: Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and get your flu shot. The best way to access the COVID-19 vaccines and booster and the flu shot is through your primary care provider and/or through the MyTurn website.
Test: Although some testing sites are closing this Friday, more than two dozen COVID-19 test kit vending machines will continue to stock PCR tests. Beginning later this week, the vending machines will also offer rapid antigen tests.
Mask: Although masking in indoor locations on campus becomes optional on Dec. 16, please consider wearing a well-fitting, good-quality mask when you’re symptomatic or in crowded spaces, even if it’s “just a cold” or you’re “sure it’s allergies.” Campus departments can order free KN95 masks for campus employees through Oracle Procurement.
Remember Hand Hygiene: to prevent getting sick and potentially spreading illness to others – wash your hands thoroughly and often and when you can’t lather up, use hand sanitizer.

Thank you for all that you do, take care of yourself, and I hope to connect with a refreshed and recharged you in the new year.

Terri Winbush
Chief Human Resources Officer