April was the first full month of Drexel University’s new normal: resuming campus operations off campus through working and teaching remotely. With the absence of in-person meetings and on-campus events, the way that information is shared and promoted has changed, but the need to stay informed and be aware of what’s happening has become even more important.
Drexel Human Resources has implemented new initiatives and procedures to provide helpful tips and advice for those employees working from home. And please visit the ‘Drexel’s Response to Coronavirus’ website for the latest public health advisories.
Here’s what was heard around (virtual) campus in April:
Gather Around the Virtual Water Cooler With Ten at 10
Ten at 10 is a new wellness initiative from the Drexel Human Resources (Drexel HR) A Healthier U program for faculty and professional staff. Through Ten at 10, you will complete a different individual or team wellness activity for just 10 minutes a day (that’s nearly an hour of wellness for the work week!) and grow your sense of physical and emotional fitness. These activities were planned with social distancing in mind, but will be just as beneficial when campus operations resume.
- Mindful Mondays feature a guided meditation to restore your sense of calm. Start the week off feeling grounded and ready.
- Take-a-Hike Tuesdays encourage you to get outside for a quick stroll. Share a picture in a “Wellness” channel in Microsoft Teams to remind your colleagues.
- Water Cooler Wednesdays encourage you to video chat with your colleagues and shoot the breeze. Discuss how to stay sane in quarantine, meet each other’s plants or pets, or simply say hello to a familiar face that you haven’t seen in person for a while.
Wondering what happens on Thursdays and Fridays? Ready to get started? Take a peek at the Ten at 10 webpage to learn more or email Wellness Administrator Monica Fauble for help: mfauble@drexel.edu. If you’ve been participating in this program, Drexel Human Resources is seeking feedback. Please email Monica to let her know what you think.
Leave of Absence Process Presentations
Lincoln Financial Group, Drexel University’s new provider for leave of absence and disability administration, and the Human Resources Benefits team are pleased to provide a new and improved leave of absence process. In the following educational sessions provided via Zoom, HR’s Leave and Disability Resources Consultant will present on the leave of absence process, impact on pay and benefits, and resources available for employees and supervisors. Register on Career Pathway for complete details.
- May 4: 1–2 p.m. (for managers)
- May 7: 1–2 p.m. (for employees)
Parking Payroll Deductions Suspended During COVID-19 Operations
While the Essential Personnel Policy is in place, all active parking payroll deductions will be suspended as of April 1. There is no need to return the parking placard to Parking Services at this time. The parking payroll deduction will resume again when the University resumes normal operations. Employees will not lose their assigned parking lot. More details will be provided at that time. If you have any questions, please contact Drexel Parking Services at parking@drexel.edu.
Update from Campus Dining
To assist in serving the staff that remain on campus, the Northside Dining Terrace, located at 203 N. 34th Street, is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily throughout spring term. The new “Market Bar” will serve daily rotating menus offering $5.00 lunches and $7.00 dinners. It will be open Monday–Friday for lunch and Monday– Thursday for dinner.
To view current hours of operation by location, visit CampusDish.
Learning From Home Opportunities
During this time of social distancing, there has been no scarcity of information and advice about Working From Home (WFH), and many of us are as busy as, or busier than, we were when working on campus. Nevertheless, this may be an excellent time to create space for Learning From Home (LFH). To help you, Drexel HR has curated a series of offerings to advance your learning at your own pace, in your own home. On the Welcome page in Career Pathway, you’ll find a new channel, LFH, which contains some of its most popular online learning offerings, bundled by topic.
Drexel HR's Learning & Development Team is also providing a variety of online offerings during the month of April, specifically related to the COVID-19 situation. You can find these offerings in the Browse for Training channel on the Welcome page in Career Pathway.
Feedback is crucial as Drexel HR prepares more offerings for you. Please send your input to hrlearn@drexel.edu.
How’s Your Workstation?
In case you missed it: DrexelNow posted an article in April related to creating ergonomically friendly workstations at your home. If you’ve found your eyes straining or your wrists hurting, make sure you read “Why Drexel Employees Should Assess Their COVID-19 Era Workstation.”