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Week of 29 January 1999 Vol. II, No. 21 Feature Article Making Life Work Spring into a new season of self-improvement programs on work, health, and life development By Amy E. Dean The measure of success for the inaugural program of Boston University's Work, Health, and Life Series (WHL) this past fall was determined not just by the fact that the programs were well-attended, but that participants improved the quality of their lives as a result of their attendance. And in at least one instance, a participant was involved in bettering the health of a fellow employee's child. "A participant who had learned about Lyme disease during one of our programs was talking to another BU employee," explains Cheryl Barbanel, M.D., director of the Occupational Health Center. "This employee's child was suffering, and after hearing the symptoms, the participant told her, 'Gee, that sounds like Lyme disease.' The mother then had her child evaluated, and it turned out that the participant was right. It was Lyme disease, and the child is now being treated and is recovering." Barbanel, who is responsible for setting up the health promotion seminars in the WHL series, feels that the workshops provide "an opportunity for BU faculty and staff to hear in depth about a subject in a way that's geared to the lay population. Our presenters are knowledgeable in current studies and are able to field a wide range of questions from the participants in a relaxed atmosphere -- questions that the participants might not normally ask during the course of an appointment with a physician who is governed by tight time constraints." The Work, Health, and Life Series is a collaborative linking of the University Training Group, the Faculty/Staff Assistance Program, the Occupational Health Center, the Office of Family Resources, and the Office of Personnel. Programs that would typically be offered to BU faculty and staff within the coverage of these specific groups are instead pooled into a major offering to the BU community in a series that covers a wide range of work, health, and life development issues. Hilary Murray, manager of employee relations, employment, and training at BU, oversees the University Training Group programs in WHL. Her proactive approach to developing the programs -- she often meets with departments around campus and hears what their issues and concerns are -- helps her, she says, to develop more "issue-specific topics rather than generic, one-size-fits-all topics so employees and department managers can work on what they really want to work on." Murray says that this spring's workshop series, designed for clerical people and based on feedback provided to her department, "will really lead people through a progression of information to help them define goals so they can make greater progress in their careers." Bonnie Teitleman, director of the Faculty/Staff Assistance Program, echoes the success of the inaugural WHL fall series. "It became clear to us that there was a need for people to talk about real-life issues," she says. "So this spring we hope to provide more opportunities for people to talk about such issues -- parenting, partner and family status, caring for elderly parents, and many other topics that there is really no time or space to address in the work environment, or even outside of work. Through the seminars and workshops in this series, we are able to provide a safe place in which people can learn from others." Nikki Sibley, director of the Office of Family Resources and the Boston University Children's Center, agrees with Teitleman about the need for BU employees to have a time and space in which to talk over and get through certain issues and concerns. "This series shows that BU really cares about its employees," she says. For more information about these free seminars, to register, or to find out locations, please call 353-4486 or 353-3500. Work, Health, and Life Series February and March 1999 Professional Development Presented by the University Training Group Thursday, February 18, 1-4 p.m. Interpersonal Communication How to say what you mean and to hear what is really being said. Presenters: Leila Saad and Drew Klein Wednesday, February 24, 9 a.m.-noon Effective Interviewing Techniques Hiring supervisors learn how to avoid pitfalls in the interviewing process while acquiring skills to help make an informed hiring decision. Presenters: Joanne Letty, Josephine Tompkins, Wendall Graham Wednesday, March 3, 9 a.m.-noon Congratulations on Your New Employee . . . Now What? Learn how to prepare for an employee's first day on the job and how to develop a game plan that provides the resources, environment, and support to ensure your new employee's success. Presenters: Virginia Gregory and Thomas Bagarella Wednesday, March 10, 9 a.m.-noon Effective Telephone Communication A video-based workshop that explores various useful techniques, including how to manage difficult calls. Presenters: Susan Cuddy and Jeanne Domenichella Career Development for Clerical and Technical Staff Thursday, March 4, noon-1 p.m. Promotion and Transfer Process Learn the basics of clerical/technical transfer and promotion at BU, including the application procedure, the reference process, and related issues. Presenter: Susan Cuddy Thursday, March 11, noon-1 p.m. Skills Assessment Participants identify and evaluate their interests, values, and skills in order to make appropriate career choices. Presenter: Jeanne Domenichella Thursday, March 18, noon-1 p.m. Résumé Writing Learn how to prepare a clear and concise summary of your skills and experience for an effective résumé. Bring a copy of your résumé for discussion. Presenters: Virginia Gregory and Joanne Letty Thursday, March 25, noon-1 p.m. Interviewing Skills This interactive workshop gives the tools necessary to present yourself and your skills in a positive and energetic way during the interview process. Presenter: Thomas Bagarella Life Enhancement Presented by the Faculty/Staff Assistance Program and the Office of Family Resources Thursday, February 18, noon-1:30 p.m. Juggling Work and Home Life This workshop discusses useful strategies for reducing the stresses and increasing the satisfaction in dealing with home and work. Presenters: Nikki Sibley and Bonnie Teitleman Wednesday, March 3, noon-1:30 p.m. Talking to Teens Learn about teenagers -- their issues and concerns -- and what works and does not work when trying to communicate with your teenager. Presenter: CAS Psychology Professor Fran Grossman Boomer Track Programs Wednesday, February 24, noon-1:30 p.m. The Boomer Generation Caring for Their Elderly Parents A review of the changes in health and lifestyle for midlife people and the issues involved when caring for elderly relatives. Presenter: Professor Elizabeth Markson, director of the Gerontology Center Health Promotion Sponsored by the Occupational Health Center, featuring prominent Boston Medical Center physicians and nurses Thursday, February 25, noon-1 p.m. Role of Preventive Health in Primary Care Learn about the role of the primary care provider in the prevention of health-related problems. Thursday, March 11, noon-1 p.m. Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy A presentation that focuses on the controversies surrounding hormonal therapy and new selective estrogen receptor modulation therapy. Wednesday, March 24, noon-1 p.m. Sports Medicine Fads An exploration of the use of creatin, chondroitin sulfate, and androsterone in athletes, how these substances affect athletic performance, and a review of any harmful effects. Boston University Children's Center Orientation Programs Please note that lunch is not provided and that seating is limited. To reserve a seat at one of the sessions, call the Office of Family Resources at 353-5954. Tuesday, February 16, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday, February 26, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Introduction and Orientation to the Boston University Children's Center A lunchtime program for parents interested in enrolling their children in the center in the summer or fall of 1999. Discussion will focus on the application procedure, the philosophy of the center, staffing, group size, and other topics of interest raised by participants.