Resources

Hometown Home Loan Program

The Hometown Home Loan Program offers reduced fees on mortgages for University of Washington employees buying or refinancing anywhere in the Puget Sound region. All benefits-eligible UW faculty and staff members may apply. Learn more.

Home Remodeling & Renovation Seminar

Learn which improvements add value to your home, whether to hire a contractor or do it yourself, how to start and manage a construction project, and how to pay for everything.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Health Sciences
REGISTER

Prequalification Appointments

Get your mortgage questions answered! Free half-hour pre-qualification appointments, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., on the first Monday of the month at Seattle, and quarterly at Bothell, Tacoma, and Harborview. Contact the Affinity Lending Center at 206-628-0207 to schedule an appointment for Monday, July 7 or August 11 at the Seattle campus.

Professional & Organizational Development

Conflict: The Challenge and the Opportunity

Do you run from conflict? Learn to understand conflict, how people react to it, and how to work through the situation in a positive way. Register here.

Making the Most of Your Workspace

Is your workspace less than ideal? Whether you work in a cubicle, open workspace, or shared office this course will help you to identify and enhance the positive aspects of your workspace. Also learn how to remain productive and neighborly despite any constraints you may face. Register here.

Benefits & WorkLife Update informs University of Washington faculty and staff of current news and events surrounding Benefits and WorkLife programs. It is published on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Comments and suggestions may be addressed to the editor at: benefits@u.washington.edu

To see past issues, click here.

Balancing Your Work & Life

A “How To” for Family Caregivers: Caring for Yourself and Those You Love

Join Linda Teri, noted expert in improving the lives of older adults and Professor in Psychosocial and Community Health at UW School of Nursing, as she shares strategies for successfully caring for loved ones with memory impairments. This session is based on research and training developed by Dr. Teri’s team at the University’s Northwest Research Group on Aging.

Sick Child Care

Our children aren’t supposed to get sniffles and coughs in the summer…but they do. The UW provides Tender Loving Care at Virginia Mason. TLC offers a warm and nurturing place to take your sick child while giving you the confidence that he or she will be well cared for while you work. The University of Washington underwrites the cost of TLC for all benefits-eligible faculty and staff. For more information, contact WorkLife at 206-543-6963 or visit www.washington.edu/admin/worklife.

Family Caregiver Network

Planning to visit your older family members this summer? Thinking of "beginning the conversation" about their care needs? Bring your concerns and questions to a Family Caregiver Network meeting where you can gather information and ideas from other caregivers in similar situations. This month’s meeting will be held:

Book Review: The 36-Hour Day

If you are caring for a person with Alzheimers, dementing illness or memory loss then this book is a “must read.” The 36-Hour Day by Nancy Mace, M.A. and Peter Rabins, M.D., M.P.H. provides information on cognitive dysfunction and tools to deal compassionately with the person. This is just one of many family caregiving books available on two-week loan from the WorkLife Resource Center. For more self-care books, review this list.

Meet the Charities

Emergency Aid

Doctors Without Borders, Heifer International and Global Impact will be on hand to discuss how these vital organizations are providing emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care and providing a solution to hunger and poverty in nearly 60 countries.

July 22 | Tuesday | Noon - 1:00 p.m. | UWMC Plaza Café C/D | Registration recommended

This is the fourth in a series of free monthly workshops where guest charities share how giving and volunteers have made a positive impact on their mission. Offered to UW faculty and staff by the UW Combined Fund Drive (UWCFD).

Retirement & Savings

Get Motivated to Save More for Retirement

It's never too late to start saving for retirement. See how small changes can add up to big gains, find out how much money you may need to save for retirement, and where to find the extra cash to do so. Presented by the Vanguard Group.

Understanding the Basics of Investing

Getting started in your retirement savings plan is easier than you think. Learn the contribution limits to your retirement plan, how to choose an appropriate investment mix, and how to enroll in a plan. Presented by the Vanguard Group.

Retirement Plan Check-ups

How much do you have socked away for retirement? How much more do you need to save? Representatives from our four fund sponsors are available to meet with you and your spouse—either by phone or in person—to provide general investment information, discuss your savings objectives, or review an existing account.

To schedule your free, in-person appointment with Calvert, Fidelity, TIAA-CREF or Vanguard:

Check our events calendar to find dates in which a fund sponsor will be coming to a location near you.
Note: These are shown as "appt" on the calendar.
Contact a representative of your choice to schedule your free appointment.

UW Discounts

Summer Camps Cook!

Still looking for a summer camp for the kids? For a limited time only, Kitchen Coach Cooking School is offering 10% off children's cooking camps that are designed for aspiring young chefs. All classes are hands-on and students expand knowledge of menu possibilities as well as learning kitchen skills.

Go to UW Discounts and click "View the Discounts." Sign into the SmartSavings website with your UW NetID and password. To access this discount click "go" under "local offers."

Outdoor Living

Now that summer has officially arrived, it’s time to enjoy hot deals on barbeque grills, outdoor fire pits, and other barbeque accessories. You can also find discounts on outdoor furnishings and items for the patio and garden.

Go to UW Discounts and click "View the Discounts." Sign into the SmartSavings website with your UW NetID and password to find great savings.

The discount program is available to all UW faculty, staff, students, and retirees. Questions or suggestions may be directed to worklife@u.washington.edu.

Benefiting You

Employee Self Service

Getting married or moving this summer? Be sure to keep your profile up to date in our Employee Self Service (ESS) system so you can receive timely benefits information from the Health Care Authority at your home address. To update your name or address, go to washington.edu/ess and select the "Address" tab. It's fast and easy! ESS users will enjoy the convenience of viewing their earnings, taxes, retirement, investments, and health plans—all in one place!

To update your name and address in other University systems, click here.

Have you read our UWellness newsletter? Check out our latest issue today.

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