HR Virtual Workshops and Programs

Autumn is fast approaching, along with rain, frost and falling leaves. But that doesn’t mean that your garden is completely finished for the season! There is much that can be done to extend your current blooming plants, introduce new varieties and also prepare your garden for winter. This session will explore different plant varieties to extend the blooming season, and also includes activities you can do to ensure your plants survive a Buffalo winter.

The last few months have taught us the importance of having an estate plan. Planning in this new pandemic world has presented numerous challenges and issues we now cannot put off. This session will review the essential estate planning documents we all should have and why, including wills, advance directives and powers of attorney. It will touch on what is new in the last year and will address upcoming changes and how they will affect your planning. It will provide information on the different forms of trusts available and explain why they are useful. It will also explain “probate,” how the estate administration process works, and why it should be avoided.

You may have heard that sitting for long periods of time can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, obesity and depression. But did you know that being sedentary can increase your biological age by eight years? Learn what happens to bodies that sit still more than move, along with simple ways to add more movement to your day. Employees will receive a tip sheet on incorporating movement during the day.

Just when you settle in thinking that the market is doing great and you have a plan to invest or retire, you get blindsided by a pandemic. This program will explore important considerations and cautions about investing, saving, and tax planning during an unprecedented pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many families becoming caregivers because of the concern over the safety of, and lack of access to facilities. Now, in addition to your own life and responsibilities, a whole new commitment has been added to your already full plate. This session will address important considerations for planning when caring for an elderly or disabled family member at home. It will provide important information on different forms of supplemental needs trusts for the protection of assets and excess income of the disabled individual, while maintaining eligibility for government benefits. It will also cover special challenges when planning with retirement benefits, review asset protection techniques and Medicaid planning considerations. It will also touch on the different forms of guardianships.

Chair yoga, offered in partnership with Recreation & Intramural Services, increases flexibility, strength, mental clarity and body awareness. Chair yoga is similar to a universal yoga class, however, a chair is incorporated with each pose. When standing poses are included in a chair yoga class, the chair is used to help with and improve balance. Chair yoga will be offered every Wednesday. Note: we recommend using a chair without wheels.

Join Christopher Wilson, Change Management Specialist, every Tuesday for a 20 minute guided meditation session to restore your body, reduce your stress and calm your mind so you can perform at your best.

This introductory session is a fun and engaging opportunity to learn effective practices to slow down, quiet the mind, reduce your stress, increase your attention and boost your confidence.

Everyone who works remotely has to figure out when to work, where to work, and how to create boundaries between work and personal life. What about office equipment, career development, training opportunities, and building relationships with colleagues? Working remotely, especially when working from home most of the time, means figuring out these issues and others. Join a discussion focusing on tips for leading a better and more productive remote-working life.

Managing remote employees is very different than team members in an office. Join our interactive discussion forum, moderated by UB HR, to learn the most effective practices and share what your colleagues have been experiencing managing their staff during this remote work situation.

This session will include a discussion about NCAA scholarship rules, eligibility regulations and recruiting guidelines, as well as the differences in Division I, II and III. Our presenter is Kelly Cruttenden, Associate Athletic Director for Compliance here at UB.

Learn the “how to’s” of hosting your team meetings remotely. In our discussion, you’ll learn the most effective practices and skills for facilitating and navigating the tool. This will not be a demonstration. It will be a discussion to answer questions and highlight helpful tips to set you up for success. Please review the resources on the UBIT website prior to attending if you have never used Zoom before.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption in our lives, particularly for children and families. Routines have been uprooted and children may be asking questions that are difficult for parents to answer. This is distressing for children and their parents alike. This session will provide tips and resources for parents on helping youth of all ages cope, reduce anxiety and manage well-being during this difficult time. 

Everyone wants to perform well when the pressure's on, but a lot of us withdraw in times of stress or adversity. If you can build your resilience, you'll have an easier time facing new challenges and learn a valuable skill. Being resilient is also a key component of emotional intelligence. Watch this training video to learn how to bounce back from difficult situations, by building your "resiliency threshold." Then, join in on a discussion on April 7 with ODE and EAP about this training to review highlights and get your questions answered about building resiliency. There could not be a better time to become more resilient. Watch LinkedInTraining Video, Building Resilience (34 min) Prior to the Discussion on 4/7.

As COVID-19 spreads and more of us are working from home, stress and anxiety are even more prevalent right now as we juggle kids, work, worry and lack of normal routines. In this session, you will learn what causes stress, how to recognize stress, and ways of coping with and managing stress.

How will we survive the lengthy shelter-in-place with young kids at home? How can I balance my work responsibilities and child care duties? How can we create meaningful experiences for my kids? These are questions you might be struggling with in this uncertain time. To help you cope, we are hosting an online session with child development/early education experts from the Graduate School of Education's Early Childhood Research Center (ECRC). They will provide guidelines and resources related to how to cope as a family, how to provide self-care and how to care for and educate young kids (ages 0-6). Our experts will also be available to answer any questions you may have.

This seminar features Jamie Shaner's tried and true step-by-step approach for successfully tackling any organizing project. The focus will be on the “stuff” that fills our closets, cupboards and drawers as well as attics, basements and garages. No more junk drawers! She will go into more detail about how to handle the daily flow of mail and paperwork in our lives, as well as how to set up a filing system and eliminate paper piles once and for all.

Working hard but not progressing the way you hoped? You're not alone. We are stuck in a non-stop culture of do, do, do and go, go, go.  If this world crisis has taught us anything, it’s that doing and going are less important than we thought. Learn a simple way to think about getting better at the things you do, whether that's work, parenting or creative hobbies. The key is to keep learning in order to always feel like you're moving forward. Watch this TED Talk titled, How to Get Better At the Things You Care About (11 min), and then join us for a discussion about embracing the Learning Zone for sustained growth and progress toward the improvements you have been thinking about. Now is the perfect time to invest in your growth and development.

Having blooms nearly all year long is an important goal for gardeners. Not only does this add to your curb appeal (and property value), it supports our pollinators and is good for your mental health. We’ll discuss what plants you should consider to extend your bloom time to nearly four seasons.  

Many UB employees are working from home while also keeping their kids occupied all day. Wellness and Work/Life Balance is here to help keep your kids entertained while you work. We will have sessions running all day with programming including a break dance lesson, a healthy snack making demo, story time, STEM activities, crafts and more

Whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, this seminar discusses important aspects of downsizing, such as when to start, where to start, and how to start the downsizing process. Jamie also touches on minimizing your “stuff” – focusing on how to decide what to keep and what to toss.

Conversation chaos is the sum-total of the hundreds of counter-productive and ineffective conversations that take place over the course of a day, week or throughout a project. Remote work situations can contribute to this chaos, but strategically reducing it can help make teams more successful. When all that people have is words on a screen, they tend to interpret them in the worst possible way. Video conferencing makes it more difficult for people to decipher the meaning and sincerity of each other’s words and actions. To combat some of this, managers need to create an environment in which people feel comfortable enough to share what they really think and feel through peer feedback. Feedback isn’t just a supervisor’s responsibility, it’s a team responsibility to help each other learn and grow. Leaders need to set that tone and help them to connect with each other on a deeper level if they are to thrive in the new normal. Let’s discuss how we can do this for our teams as we continue to work remotely at UB.

Studies have shown that positive thinking can improve your creativity and energy levels, increase your success and productivity and lead to improved health. With the current situation, it is easy to fall into a trap of negativity. In this session, you will learn how to overcome negative thinking and re-frame your mindset to one more positive and optimistic.

Change fatigue is the response individuals have when they perceive that too much change is occurring. There are many things in organizations that contribute to change fatigue including people’s individual characteristics, leadership influences and organizational initiatives. At least with organizational changes there is usually an end in sight, a benefit to be had in the end, a reason or purpose. COVID-19 has up-ended everything from how we live to how we work and it leaves us asking “why?” or “what should I do?”. There are so many unanswered questions and no roadmap to follow. Even when we do get an answer, it changes the next day or week. What can we do to prepare ourselves and support our teammates in adjusting to all of this change as we progress to a new normal at UB? Join us for a conversation about how we can enable ourselves to move through these changing times with confidence and courage and adapt to this evolving situation. 

UB HR recognizes that it is difficult to achieve work/life balance. Understanding the benefits available to you as an employee can only assist you in all aspects of your life. The Benefits and Work-Life Balance department in Human Resources will present information about your leave benefits, using your accruals and other programs that may help you have a comfortable work-life balance such as mediation services, fitness and wellness classes, career coaching and lactation support.

Join Miss Julia as she walks kids through the Think Like a Detective Activity from Take Your Kids to Work Day. Learn more about decrypting codes, using invisible ink and fingerprint activities.

Has your eating changed in recent weeks? In this session, we will share ideas for making meals with less and managing boredom eating.

In this session, Miss Julia will provide the kids with a basic background about how computers work, paired with several interactive coding activities done on paper. Children between the ages of 5-12 yrs old should be able to follow along with ease.

The coronavirus pandemic has thrust the world’s economy into its sharpest and deepest recession in living memory. Policymakers have taken unprecedented steps to prevent economic damage while countries deal with the virus. Financial markets have steadied after extreme volatility in March, but uncertainty is still incredibly high. Investors of all types have opportunities to revisit their investment strategy and consider opportunities in light of the current situation. Anne Anderson and Curtis Cluster, UB’s dedicated Financial Consultants with TIAA, will be available during the webinar by utilizing the “chat” feature. You do not need to be a TIAA participant to register and attend the event; all are encouraged and welcome to join.

Putting healthy home cooked meals on the table requires time and planning. In this session, you will receive ideas and advice for things you can do ahead of time to cut the time you need to get healthy meals on the table in a flash. 

This session will provide a simple eBay tutorial so you can learn the in's and out's of how to sell stuff online. You will learn the basics of eBay—what sells, how to sell, how to ship, PayPal and how to avoid scams.

Annual flowers bring color and beauty to your garden in a fast and easy way. This session will provide tips on how to plant your newly purchased annuals to perform their best. We’ll talk about soil preparation, fertilizers, proper location and containers. Then we’ll get into your gardening questions. Notice how we didn’t say ask an expert – we might not be able to answer all your questions, but let’s bring some issues to the table!! To help the presenter prepare for your questions, we request that you email your questions in advance to wellness@buffalo.edu. 

Real Estate is not only one of the largest financial investments you will make in your life; it is a very emotional one as well. Hunt Real Estate ERA will offer advice on buying and selling in today's market that incorporates the challenges of low inventory, how qualifying for a mortgage has recently changed and how most of it is done from a virtual platform.

Take an art break and go on a virtual tour of Sally Cook: 1960–Present!

A painter of dynamic scenery, intimate portraits and sumptuous still life, Buffalo-born Sally Cook has been a vital part of the arts community in Western New York since her early years as a student at the Albright Art School in the 1950s. This survey brings together major paintings from her earliest abstract canvas dating 1960 to the most recent figurative works. The exhibition also highlights her work as a poet and her painterly engagement with the poet Emily Dickinson who provides an ongoing inspiration for Cook.

Led by UB Art Galleries curator of exhibitions Liz Park, this tour will give an overview of the exhibition and UB Art Galleries.

Join Timothy Murphy, MD, SUNY Distinguished Faculty, as he discusses social distancing as we transition into the next phases of re-opening. He will discuss CDC guidelines for how to protect yourself, the basic principles of social distancing and help you establish boundaries with friends, family and co-workers for managing social and workplace interactions in this new and changing time.

Join us for weekly fun and education activities led by Ms. Michelle, Program Director for Camp and School Aged Child Care for the Southtown Family YMCA. 

On June 11 (week 1), kids will be led through a STEM project on making a lava lamp at home. For this project, you will need vegetable oil, food color of your choice (red works best), fizzy tablets/effervescent tablets, water and a glass container.

On June 18 (week 2), kids will be led through a STEM project on making an egg into a bouncy ball. This multi-day experiment will require daily follow up. When ready, the egg can be bounced between 1-2 inches in the air.

For this experiment, you will need:  one glass or plastic clear jar, one raw egg and vinegar  

On June 25 (week 3) there will be a crawling colors experiment where the colors will combine to make a vibrant rainbow.

For this experiment, you will need: paper towels, food coloring, 4-5 clear jars and water.

How do we become well in a virtual environment? UB Recreation in the past has promoted wellness programming highlighting the areas of physical and social wellness. As we progress into a new century and time, UB Recreation will be facilitating and highlighting campus resources and unique UB REC activities and programs to enhance all areas of wellness for each individual on and off UB’s campus. Join Sharon Sanford (Director of Recreation), Jennifer Kern (Marketing) and Jessica Nyrop (Associate Director) as they discuss current/future programming and resources to enhance the people of UB and their well-being.

Join David Hoekstra, clinical assistant professor of biological sciences, who runs the UBBees research and outreach initiative, to discuss the basics of beekeeping, and/or supporting the bees by planting pollinator friendly plants at their houses. Learn about all the differences between a yellow jacket, honey bee, carpenter bee, bumble bee, and other kinds of bees.

With daycare centers slowly re-opening and summer camp options limited, UB wants to help you find child care that works for you and your needs. Join Christen Balistreri, Child Care Navigator from Child Care Resource Network, as she helps you to navigate local options to find the right fit for your family’s needs.

We are living in challenging times. If nothing else, COVID-19 has crystallized the importance of valuing science, appreciating the fragility of life, and understanding the importance of how decisions deferred create dire consequences for present and future generations. While we are focused on reducing the curve, it is also important that we not lose sight of the valuable lessons we are learning that will be key in addressing the challenge that climate change and sustainable development pose. Join us for a conversation around what we are learning through COVID-19 and how it could help us evolve, learn and adjust our thinking and prioritization of how we advance climate action and the sustainable development goals.

Are you working from home for all or part of your workday? Proper office ergonomics is just as important at your home office station. Join us for solid advice and creative hacks for how to adjust your home office ergonomics to minimize force, maintain good posture and avoid excessive repetition.

You will learn:

• How to position your laptop for the best ergonomic use
• What your ironing board should really be used for
• Why books are for more than just reading

Presenter: Gerry Rising, retired UB faculty member

The isolation required to address the coronavirus has led to increased interest in the natural world around us, particularly in the birds that enhance our backyards and parklands. Mike Noonan and Gerry Rising have developed a website that supports those whose interest is so captured, and it has been popular with birdwatching beginners. We'll talk with Gerry about the website, birdwatching and ornithology.  

A growing number of people suffer silently with depression and anxiety. Join Lauren Smith from Independent Health as she covers the signs and symptoms to look for, treatment options and resources for help.

Learn about modern biosurveillance techniques and predictive modeling and how this can be used to assist in the pandemic. We will also discuss machine learning and the future of predictive modeling in health and healthcare

Thinking Through Photographs is an exhibition of questions and prompts in the form of a downloadable PDF. Initially conceptualized as a gallery installation of text, books, and other resources, this project now lives on UB Art Galleries’ website as a free resource for teachers and students of photography, as well as anyone interested in digging deeper into what it means to make a photograph in 2020. Join curator Liz Park for a discussion on how to use the PDF as a set of tools and why we need to take the time to think through photographs.

Join Lauren from Independent Health as she provides information on how emotional health, nutrition, physical activity, sleep and environment influences our overall health. This session includes tips to modify unhealthy behaviors, manage stress and achieve a better work-life balance.

Many people have had trips and vacations interrupted and plans altered due to the impact of COVID-19. AAA sees many travelers looking for local destinations to quench their pent-up desire to travel. Road trips are the popular trend this season, with motorists making up 97% of all summer travel. At the same time, future bookings are increasing for 2021 and beyond as many travelers want to get a vacation scheduled. AAA wants to ensure that travelers are aware of the extra planning and precautions they must take before and during their trip during a pandemic. Elizabeth Carey, Director of Public Relations for AAA Western and Central New York, will be joined by a AAA Travel Consultant to offer tips for safe travel now or in the future.

Learn how to set up your student employees for success by providing clear expectations, planning and directing the students' work, and developing their skills.

This program provides information and resources for supervisors as our student employees return to campus. We’ll examine the importance of orienting your students to your department, and the qualities that make a great supervisor. We will also discuss managing student performance and the steps to take when you must address an issue.

You are what you eat – and you eat what you buy. Join Lauren from Independent Health as she provides a virtual shopping tour with advice for making healthier choices. Become a meal prep expert and learn food safety tips for proper care inside and outside of the kitchen.

Whether you have sizeable wealth or a modest estate, the cost of long term care can quickly deplete your estate. Planning for home care, assisted living or nursing home care may be complicated, particularly in terms of Medicaid eligibility. There are many misconceptions surrounding the Medicaid program and how eligibility is determined.

The pandemic has resulted in many families taking care of their loved ones at home, which means an increase in the use of community based Medicaid services. On October 1, 2020 sweeping changes will be made to the Community Medicaid eligibility process. This workshop will explain Medicaid eligibility, the rules about transferring assets and other actions that can impact eligibility, including the upcoming changes. We will also discuss legal techniques that can be implemented to protect your assets, whether you are planning well in advance or have an immediate need for care. This program will provide basic knowledge necessary to minimize the potentially catastrophic effect the cost of long term care can have on family wealth.

Emotional Intelligence is the capacity to recognize and effectively manage emotions in ourselves and with others. Our ability to deal effectively with our emotions in the workplace is critical to our success as employees and coworkers. Emotional intelligence is becoming an important skill set as the pace of the world increases and our environment makes more and more demands on our cognitive, emotional and physical resources.  

In this one hour session, learn how emotional intelligence in the workplace increases your ability to make effective decisions, build relationships, deal with stress and cope with change. We will also explore several techniques to manage your emotions with confidence and positive results.