Resources

Open Enrollment

Two Pre-Tax Programs That Can Save You Money

Find out how you can save valuable tax dollars on eligible medical expenses and/or dependent care expenses! Learn how medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Assistance programs can work to your advantage and get answers to your questions by attending one of these information meetings listed below:

Thursday, November 6:

UW Medical Center
Plaza Cafe C
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Register for Section A

Seattle Campus
Denny Hall, Room 213
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Register for Section B

Friday, November 7:

Seattle Campus
Balmer Hall, Room 313
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Register for Section D

South Lake Union
Brotman Auditorium
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Register for Section E

UW Combined Fund Drive

Making a Difference

The UW Combined Fund Drive, our workplace giving campaign, kicked off its annual campaign earlier this month with a charity fair and food drive benefiting Northwest Harvest. UW faculty and staff collected 3,743 pounds of food and 786 pairs of socks for Northwest Harvest.

The UW Combined Fund Drive continues until December 5. Make a difference in our community and world by giving today. Pledges large and small—as little as one dollar per pay period—make a difference for so many people in need. Visit www.washington.edu/uwcfd for more information.

Cheerful Givers

Be a "cheerful giver" and participate in this lunchtime Birthday Bag Blitz by filling gift bags with new toys and celebrating National Philanthropy Day. The filled bags will be donated to 300 homeless and poverty-stricken children in our community who would not otherwise receive gifts on their special day.

Thursday, November 13
noon - 1:00 p.m.
HUB 200 ABC
Info & Registration

UW Discount Program

Apparel Discounts

Winterize your wardrobe with great discounts on clothes and accessories for yourself and the whole family. The discount program is available to all UW faculty, staff, students, and retirees. Go to the UW Discounts page and click "View the Discounts." Sign into the SmartSavings website with your UW NetID and password to find great savings.

Benefits & WorkLife Update informs University of Washington faculty and staff of current news and events surrounding Benefits & 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.

Retirement & Savings

Investment Fundamentals

What is asset allocation? What are current market conditions, and how do these impact fund performance? Attend this retirement education workshop to build your foundation of knowledge about financial markets. Presented by Vanguard.

November 13, 2008 | Thursday | 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | UW Medical Center | Register here

Socially Responsible Investing in Turbulent Times

Are you interested in achieving financial security while helping to build a sustainable world and protect our quality of life? If so, socially responsible investing (SRI) may be for you. At this workshop, you will learn about SRI and the role SRI funds can play in your personal investment and retirement planning. Presented by Calvert.

Staying Calm During a Bear Market

Are you concerned about the recent market volatility? If so, attend a webinar presented by Vanguard, one of our fund sponsors entitled "Staying Calm During a Bear Market."

From your desk you will learn about bear markets, historical perspective on market volatility and the importance of asset allocation. View this "on-demand" session anytime at https://admin.na3.acrobat.com/_a45190094/p85529671/.

Note that each of our UWRP and VIP fund sponsors offer updates, online information, and webcasts to help investors through this challenging time. For more information, go to the individual fund sponsor websites: www.calvert.com, www.fidelity.com, www.tiaa-cref.org, and www.vanguard.com.

Fund Sponsors are Here to Help

If you're concerned about your retirement investments during the recent financial turmoil and you haven't reviewed your portfolio in a while, you and your spouse or partner may want to schedule an appointment with a representative from one of our four fund sponsors—either by phone or in person—to review your asset allocations, savings objectives, and risk tolerance against your current portfolio.

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

Check our events calendar to find dates on 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.

Hometown Home Loan Program

Homeownership 101 Educational Seminars

Whether you are buying your first home or want to get smart advice about using home equity or refinancing, Hometown Home Loan Officers are on campus each month to offer educational seminars at no cost.

Financing Options for Senior Homeowners
Learn how to best use the equity you've earned through refinancing, home equity loans, and reverse mortgages, as well as how to avoid predatory lenders.

November 5 | Wednesday | Noon - 1:00 p.m. | Seattle, upper campus | Register here

Budgeting for a Home
Should you pay off debt or save for a down payment? Learn the answer to this question as well as how to set a savings goal and resources available for home budgeting.

November 18 | Tuesday | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Harborview | Register here

Prequalification Appointments

Get your mortgage questions answered! Free half-hour pre-qualification appointments, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., monthly at Seattle and quarterly at Bothell, Tacoma, and Harborview. Contact the Affinity Lending Center at 206-628-0207 to schedule an appointment.

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

Balancing Work & Life

Seminar: A Comfortable Balance at Work and Home

With all the commitments and obligations you face daily, how do you achieve a comfortable balance of life and work? Join this lively, interactive session for practical suggestions on refocusing time and energy on what you value most in life.

Sue Covey, LCSW, CEAP, is a senior account executive for APS Healthcare. With over twenty years in the counseling field, Sue has conducted numerous workshops and training programs related to balancing work and personal life. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Employee Assistance Professional.

Child Care for Mildly-Ill Children

Virginia Mason’s Tender Loving Care offers a safe and nurturing place to take your sick child, and gives you the confidence that he or she will be well cared for while you work. TLC is for children one to 12 years of age and is completely underwritten by the University of Washington. Benefits-eligible faculty and staff pay a one-time registration fee of $5 per child. For more information, contact WorkLife at 206-543-6963 or visit www.washington.edu/admin/benefits/worklife.

Top Ten Preschool Parenting Problems

Meltdowns, bathroom battles, mealtime mischief, and bedtime blues—these are all typical preschool parenting issues. How does the parent respond? Roslyn Duffy's book, Top Ten Preschool Parenting Problems and What to Do About Them!, can help. Ms. Duffy, a Seattle author and frequent presenter at the UW and beyond, has written an informative book drawing from her many years of experience working with young children and families, and from raising her own family of four. Through her experiences, she has found effective and healthy ways for parents to nurture and encourage their children. This is one of many parenting books available on two-week loan from the WorkLife Resource Center. For more parenting books, review the WorkLife Parenting Library.

UW CareLink Can Help

Are family and parenting concerns, relationship hassles, or grief and depression affecting your personal and work life? Schedule a confidential appointment with UW CareLink, our faculty and staff assistance program. UW CareLink provides personal, legal, and financial counseling to UW faculty and staff and their families. Call toll-free at 1-866-598-3978 for routine and urgent issues. Master's-level counselors are available to take your call 24/7.

Eldercare and Dementia

Are you frustrated and concerned by your older relative’s resistance to change? WorkLife provides private consultations with information and resources tailored to your specific situation. To schedule an appointment, email workklife@u.washington.edu.

Or check out UW CareLink’s online toolkit, APS HelpLink, (use “UW” as the company code). This month features an article about caring for a loved one with dementia. Learn about the behavioral changes caused by dementia and the effective strategies to use in responding to those changes. You can also find information on time management, self improvement, self help, and tips to help you better manage your life.

Professional & Organizational Development Seminars

Managing Stress

Learn how to adjust your attitude so you are better prepared to deal with life's challenges. This course will provide you with helpful tools to work professionally through upsetting situations. Leave this session with a new perspective and ability to enjoy your everyday life.
Register for November 17.

Creating the Future with Planning Tools

Learn the principles of future-based planning and use them in a way that is creative, holistic, and interesting. Whether you are planning for your own future or your group's, this course will equip you with ideas you can use right away.
Register for November 24.

Generations at Work: M.E.E.T. for Respect in the Workplace

With four generations now represented in the U.S. workforce, significant differences in world view and work styles can bring miscommunication and conflict—or partnership and opportunity. Using the M.E.E.T model, you will explore differences, encourage respect, and find common ground.
Register for November 25.

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