Category: HR Buzz

HR Buzz: Random Acts of Kindness Day

Posted on by Renee Boelcke
K Starfish

Tomorrow is Random Acts of Kindness Day!

Celebrated on February 17, the Random Acts of Kindness movement inspires people every day. As a favorite celebration for many, people everywhere are enjoying doing these acts of kindness. Not only do the acts of kindness bring joy to the receiver, but they spread positive reactions to the giver, too!

One of the most important characteristics is that nothing is expected in return. Other important characteristics include patience, honesty, and being a good listener. Check out the quick video below for inspiration and/or consider these examples.

  • Listen to understand.
  • Leave a kind note for someone, no explanation is needed.
  • Share words of encouragement. You never know who might need them.
  • Put your skills to work for someone in need.
  • Mail a “thinking of you” card to someone you’ve not to talk to in a while.

Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund

Posted on by Renee Boelcke
Homeowner Assistance Fund

Do you know someone who owns their home and was/is experiencing financial hardship related to the pandemic? If so, please share this information.

The Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) provides funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship on or after January 21, 2020.

Visit the Homeowner Assistance Fund site for details including eligibility, instructions to apply, and required documentation.

HR Buzz: Professional Growth Opportunities

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Growth happens in many forms. Here are a few upcoming opportunities at K. Many colleagues have already reserved their spots. Please join us if you can.

Navigating Difficult Conversations with Skill and Grace

Reserve Your Spot

Wednesday, January 24, 2024
11am – noon
Olmsted Room, Mandelle Hall
Facilitator: Renee Boelcke

Refresh the key principles for effective communication while learning techniques and preparation tips to navigate difficult conversations.

Mental Health First Aid

Two sessions of the same content are offered in two different contexts.

Learn More and
Reserve Your Spot

Virtual

Friday, February 16, 2024
9:00am – 3:30pm (Includes 30-minute break)
Registration closes on January 26

In-Person

Thursday, April 11, 2024
9:00am – 3:30pm (Includes 30-minute break)
Library, Room 213
Registration closes on March 28

Questions may be directed to Renee Boelcke at renee.boelcke@kzoo.edu.

HR Buzz: Happy 2023!

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Has someone ever reached out to you?

Have you ever felt seen?

Have you ever taken a moment to see someone else? To see who they are?

Have you ever been a Mr. Jensen? Take 3 minutes to fill your heart and give purpose to your day.

Happy 2023! May your year be filled with kindness, joy, and purpose.

HR Buzz: Personal Finance 101 on Demand

Posted on by Renee Boelcke
  • What is personal finance?
  • How can one save money for the future while also meeting current financial responsibilities?
  • What is the best way to reduce personal debt?

These questions and more are addressed in Personal Finance 101.

Recorded on November 17, 2022 for Kalamazoo College faculty and staff, this one-hour session provides practical tips for personal finance management at every stage of one’s career.

Not ready to watch/listen to this session? No worries! The session will continue to be available on the Professional Development page of the HR site. (K log in required.)

Five Tips to Enjoy the Holidays

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Around this time each year, there are images that imply that the holidays are supposed to be a time for mythical groups of people to gather around a perfectly set table. Real-life gatherings are more complicated than that.In many cases, the holidays bring people together who we don’t often see during the rest of the year. Being together again can remind us of how much you love and appreciate your loved ones. The holidays can also stir up more complicated emotions. These tips can help us to enjoy the holidays.

Have realistic expectations.

Focus on having a meaningful holiday. Embrace the imperfections and unique personalities of your loved ones.

Start positive conversations.

Steer the conversation toward topics that loved ones have in common, such as a shared hobby or an upcoming happy occasion. If the holiday has spiritual or cultural significance, this is a good time to pass on some of the day’s history and meaning.

Express your appreciation.

This is also an ideal time to let others know how much you appreciate the support they’ve shown you throughout the year. Research shows that expressing gratitude can lower your own stress level.

Share fun activities.

Your loved ones could take a walk, go ice skating, play a board game, make decorations, visit a children’s museum, or catch a family-friendly show. Make a point of repeating some favorite activities year after year. These kinds of traditions are the glue that helps bond loved ones together.

Sneak in some alone time.

If you start feeling stressed, take a few minutes to walk the family dog, listen to music, read a book, or go for a run. You’ll enjoy together-time more if you step away and decompress when you need to.

Visit Project Act online
for free COVID tests
Visit the
Employee Assistance Program

National Diabetes Month

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 37 million Americans are living with diabetes. With diabetes, your body stops making — or becomes resistant to — insulin, the hormone the body needs to effectively use glucose. In people with diabetes, glucose builds up in the blood. Over time, this can lead to a variety of medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and blindness.

Because diabetes is so common, doctors regularly screen patients for Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes. This screening typically happens during your annual physical. But your doctor may also order testing if you complain of fatigue, extreme thirst, or abrupt weight changes. Obstetricians also screen pregnant women for gestational diabetes during their second trimester.

Prediabetes puts you on the road to possibly getting type 2 diabetes. Find out now, in less than 1 minute, if you may have prediabetes by taking the Prediabetes Risk Test. If your result shows you’re at high risk for type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor about getting a simple blood sugar test to confirm it.

Tips for minimizing type 2 diabetes risk

  • Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week.
  • Keep your weight in a healthy range.
  • Eat healthy foods, including lots of fruits and veggies.
  • Drink more water and fewer sugary drinks.
  • Don’t smoke.

25 hour day

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Clocks “fall back” at 2am on Sunday, November 6, 2022, making November 6 a 25-hour day.

Suggestion: Update your clocks before going to bed on Saturday evening.

Hints on which clocks to adjust.

While our computers and smartphones will adjust to the time change automatically, these gadgets may have to be updated manually.

Kitchen Oven/StoveClock radio/alarmCar/truck clock
CoffeemakerWall clocksWristwatches
MicrowaveAlarm SystemMedical equipment

Suggestion: Now is a great time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors as well.

Did you know?

It’s daylight saving time, not daylight savings time.

While it’s common to hear people say “daylight savings time” or just “daylight savings,” the correct term is “daylight saving time.” There’s a grammatical reason for keeping “saving” singular, but you can also think of it this way: What are you doing during this time? Saving daylight. Thus, daylight saving time.

It’s not a worldwide (or even nationwide) phenomenon.

About 70 countries observe daylight saving time nationwide or in certain regions. Most African and Asian countries, including India, China and Japan, skip the clock change altogether.

Not all U.S. states practice daylight saving time, either. Hawaii and Arizona are on permanent standard time, as are Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The time frame used to be different.

In the United States, daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday of March and ends the first Sunday in November. But that wasn’t always the case, Geiger says. Prior to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which went into effect in 2007, daylight saving time was observed from early April until late October.

Many states want to stop changing the clock.

In the last few years, 19 states have either enacted legislation or passed resolutions to stick to daylight saving time year-round, but implementing this change would require an update to federal law.