February 19, 2008
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Test your Knowledge of Mediation
When a Loved One or Colleagues Dies: Common Reactions and Feelings
SCREENINGS AND RESOURCES ARE ON THE
“UNDERSTANDING U Managing the Ups and Downs of Life” website!
“Managing Anger” Eight-week Educational Series
Stress Management and Resilience at Work
There is no doubt that finding quality, affordable childcare is a big issue, and that parents struggle to integrate their work with their lives. To this end, the Work/Life Resource Center offers a variety of child care related programs.
But with a large number baby boomers in the workforce, work/life integration is clearly an issue for more than just young parents.
As someone nearing retirement age, you may not have issues with your own small children, but you may have responsibilities with your grandchildren, have aging or ill parents (often more than one), your own illness or that of your spouse to manage.
Finding the resources you need to address these issues can be key to juggling work and family.
University resources to assist you in this stage of life are:
Work/Life Resource Center eldercare resource program:
Call 936-8677 to speak with David Perrotta for help with local or long-distance caregiving resources.HRD Planning for Retirement course:
Visit the Human Resources Development Website for more information. http://www.umich.edu/~hrd/programsandcourses/retirement.html
More on phased retirement:
As the population is getting older, the number of requests for phased retirement is increasing with employers. A recent 2007 article in the journal Generations addresses the facts, figures and policies surrounding the state of phased retirement.
For information on retiring from the University, please contact the UHR Benefits Office at 615-2000 or visit http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/events/retire/index.htm.
Additional Classes and Events
The Turner Senior Resource Center conducts hHealth presentations, which include topics such as:
- Arthritis Remedies: The good, the bad, and the useless
- How to Talk to Your Doctor
- Grandparenting: Making it grand
Call 998-9353 for more information or to register.
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Tenth Annual Senior Housing Awareness Week, May 9-18, 2008
The only annual event that brings together the people who provide senior housing and critical support services with those who need them!
On April 1, 2008: Complete program guide and registration information will be posted on the Housing Bureau for Seniors website, www.med.umich.edu/seniors .
After April 1 call 734-998-9336
Turner Geriatric Social Work Classes
"New Ways To Feel Good": A 10 week Cognitive Behavior Therapy Group for people over 60 with depression or anxiety is scheduled to start at the Turner Geriatric Clinic, on Wednesday 3/12/08 from 2 - 3:30 PM. Prior registration is required. Fees are covered by Medicare and most insurance. For more information contact: Nina at 764-2556.
Memory Improvement for Older Adults: A three week course beginning April 30 from 2:30-4:30. 2401 Plymouth Rd. Call 764-2556 for information and to register. $ 40.00 fee includes course book.
Memory Improvement for Baby Boomers: A two week class starting May 13 from 5:30-7:30. 2401 Plymouth Rd. Call 764-2556 for information and to register. $40.00 includes course book.
Grief Support Group: Tuesdays at 1:30 starting 3/11 at Turner Geriatric Clinic. Call Pat at 764-2556 for information and to register.
February is National Senior Independence Month
Check out www.caring.com , an informational website dedicated to helping families who are caring for aging parents or other relatives, for tips on how to maintain independence with your elder loved one.
Health Issue Associated with Nursing Home Placement
A new study conducted by the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System shows that congestive heart failure (CHF) is correlated with disabilities and nursing home placements. Knowing this information can help patients and families plan for the future. For the full article, click on the following link for the January 14, 2008 University Record on-line.
http://www.ur.umich.edu/0708/Jan14_08/08.shtml
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Test your Knowledge of Mediation
What is mediation, anyway? Many people have only a vague notion of what mediation is, often confusing it with other forms of alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration. This is understandable since mediation is a relative newcomer to Michigan and is only now working its way into our collective consciousness as a way to resolve conflicts. Do you know what mediation is and what to expect at a mediation at Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff? Take this quiz to begin to find out:
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In mediation, the mediator
a. determines who is right and who is wrong OR
b. remains neutral and does not pass judgment
If you answered (b), you’re right! The mediator’s job is to facilitate a discussion between the parties without taking sides. It is up to the parties involved in the mediation to work together, with the mediator’s help, to find a solution to the conflict. The goal of mediation is not to determine who is right and who is wrong or to name a winner and a loser. The goal, instead, is to come up with ways to ensure that the needs and interests of all of the parties are satisfied.
2. The parties at the mediation
a. sit around a table and discuss the issues OR
b. formally present their arguments and evidence to the mediator in a courtroom-like setting
Yep, you guessed it! The answer is (a). Usually, the mediator will ask each person to take some time to share their view of the relevant events, the impact the events have had on them, and what their needs are or will be. Then the relevant issues and options for resolving them are identified and discussed.
3. Mediation at Mediation Services
a. can be mandatory OR
b. is always strictly voluntary
The correct answer is (b)! You cannot be required to participate in a mediation at Mediation Services or penalized for not participating. Each person chooses to be there. And, hopefully, each is prepared to make a good faith effort to resolve whatever the workplace problems are. It is up to each person to decide not only whether to try mediation but also whether to proceed with the mediation once it has begun and whether to agree to a resolution of the problem. Far more often than not, mediation results in an agreement. At the very least, it provides the people involved with a clearer understanding of each other and the issues.4. If you choose to try mediation at Mediation Services,
a. you may still use the grievance procedures OR
b. you give up your right to use the grievance procedures
And the answer is….(a)! The University encourages staff and faculty to use mediation to resolve workplace disputes. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of mediation, though, you may still use the grievance procedures available to you.
5. Discussions held during mediation are
a. well-documented OR
b. private and confidential
The right answer is absolutely (b)! There are no formal or name-based records kept of mediations at Mediation Services. There is an expectation that what is said during mediation is confidential. The mediator will not disclose to others anything learned during mediation unless there appears to be an imminent danger to someone.
6. Mediators at Mediation Services are
a. professionally trained to mediate OR
b. anyone at the University willing to help
If you chose (a), you’re right! Your mediator at Mediation Services will be someone who has had many hours of mediation training and experience in mediating disputes.
To find out more about mediation or whether mediation might be appropriate for your situation, feel free to call Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff at 615-4789. You can also take a look at our soon to be updated website: www.umich.edu/~mediate.
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When a Loved One or Colleagues Dies: Common Reactions and Feelings
by Tom Waldecker,
It is a common response to worry whether our feelings and reactions are normal when someone close to us passes. Grief affects us in different ways, there may be times when we wonder how long these feelings are going to last and should I be feeling a certain way. Our reactions to loss can be very complex, whether it occurs in our personal or professional life.
Following are some of the feelings and actions that occur when we experience a loss (though this list is not meant to be exclusive):
- Feeling guilty for not saying something to the deceased or not having done enough for them before their passing
- Withdrawing and isolating oneself
- Feeling unsure of what to say to other family members or colleagues who knew the deceased
- Feeling overwhelmed and not being able to focus
- Being preoccupied with thoughts of the person who is now deceased
- Feeling in shock or in denial of what actually has occurred
- Wanting to share experiences and stories about our experiences with the deceased
- Being or acting angry for what seems like minor irritants and concerns
- Feeling disorganized or lethargic
It is not uncommon when someone close to us passes for us to recollect others who have passed that were close to us. We may begin to think more of other past experiences and possibly even of our own conditions. Additionally, we may feel one of the following common symptoms of grief:
- Feeling anxious and/or restless, unable to concentrate
- Feeling numb
- Wanting to eat, drink or use medication more than we normally do
- Feeling physical symptoms such as dry throat, heavy chested or an emptiness in our stomach
- Having difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Feeling exhausted or having a lack of energy
- Feeling moody and irritable
There is no prescribed order to how we should react or process our own grief. On the FASAP web site (www.umich.edu/~fasap), there is a more expanded section on “Grief and Loss” which may be helpful to you. Often it is helpful to talk to an experienced, professional and neutral counselor who can assist you in processing your feelings. Feel free to call FASAP at 936-8660 or email the office at fasap@umich.edu for confidential assistance.
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SCREENINGS AND RESOURCES ARE ON THE
“UNDERSTANDING U Managing the Ups and Downs of Life” website!
We encourage you to review the educational information on emotional and mental health concerns on the new “Understanding U” web site. There is a wealth of information ranging from dealing with family issues to understanding mental health conditions to be found on the site. In addition, the site offers brief and confidential screenings for six common conditions. If you or someone you know would like to be screened for depression, generalized anxiety, bipolar disorder, alcohol misuse, eating disorders, or post traumatic stress go to http://www.hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/understandingu/screen/index.html
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“Managing Anger” Eight-week Educational Series
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program will be offering an eight-week, one hour per week education programs on Managing Anger, starting March 19th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
The class will focus on:
- How to understand the anger response and recognize anger triggers
- Learning steps and skills for cool downs and other ways to manage one’s anger effectively
- Learning problem solving skills
- How to brainstorm appropriate responses to stressful situations
This educational series will be conducted by professional staff of FASAP. The sessions will be held in a confidential setting in the Administrative Services Building.
Those who would like to learn how to better understand and more effectively manage their anger are encouraged to attend. Participation is voluntary.
To register for this educational series, or if you have any questions at all please feel free to contact FASAP’s program assistant Tina Weymouth at 936-8660.
Class size is limited, so those interested are encouraged to register promptly. Please register by March 10th.
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Stress Management and Resilience at Work
Thursdays, March 13th thru April 17th
Administrative Services Building, 1009 Greene Street
Noon-1:15 p.m.
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) is offering a six-week educational and support group for faculty and staff who are experiencing job stress. This interactive group will explore causes and dynamics of job stress, including both personal and organizational factors. Participants will identify their own signs of job stress and develop stress management strategies, in order to reduce and prevent its personal impact and to enhance resilience at work. Sessions are at no charge to faculty and staff. Information shared in the group will be strictly confidential.
Class size is limited so those interested are encouraged to register promptly.
Please register by March 6th.
To register, please contact FASAP’s program assistant Tina Weymouth at 936-8660.
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resolutions is published in the Winter, Spring and Fall of every year. To obtain additional information regarding our services contact FASAP, Mediation Services or Work/Life Resource Center at (734) 936-8660.
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