June 19, 2008
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Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff Provides More than Mediation
“Parenting the Next Generation” Educational Workshop Coming!
REMINDER about "Understanding U: Managing the Ups and Downs of Life" Website
Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff Provides More than Mediation
Do you have a work-related problem that you don’t know how to solve? Would you like to talk to someone about how to address the problem? Do you want to understand what your options are? If so, you can contact Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff to schedule a consultation.
What is a consultation?
It is a confidential conversation, either by phone or in person, between a staff or faculty member and a consultant/mediator about how to handle a work-related concern or conflict. It is held at a place and time that is convenient for the staff or faculty member requesting assistance.
How confidential is it?
No name-based record of the consultation conversation is kept. Unless the consultant becomes aware of a threat, illegal harassment, or criminal act that poses a danger to someone, she will not share any information about the consultation with anyone without the permission of the person who sought the consultation.
What kinds of problems can a consultation help with?
Nearly any work-related concern can be discussed at a consultation. Typically, the concerns involve such things as differences or disagreements, poor communication, tension caused by the workload or work environment, unclear division of work responsibilities, or disciplinary measures.
What happens during a consultation?
The staff or faculty member describes the work situation and problem to the consultant. Then, together they explore possible options for dealing with the problem. These options often include:
- Strategies the staff or faculty member can use at work to address the problem.
- Getting help from other University resources, such as Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, Office of Institutional Equity, or Human Resources representatives.
- Having the consultant obtain information or talk to someone for the staff or faculty member (without divulging any names unless permitted by the staff or faculty member).
- Taking part in mediation.
Who decides what to do?
It is up to the staff or faculty member, not the consultant, to decide what if any action to take to deal with the problem.
What is the best way to schedule a consultation?
There are several ways to reach Mediation Services to schedule a consultation:
- Call 615-4789.
- Send an e-mail message to mediation.services@umich.edu.
- Send a request through the Mediation Services website, www.umich.edu/~mediate.
Presentation on Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff Available
Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff provides a variety of services. Linda Winkler, Manager of Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff, would be glad to talk to the staff and/or faculty in your office, department, college, or school about these services. To schedule this brief presentation or to find out more about it, please call Quandria Dabney at 615-4789.
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June is Home Safety Month
There are many challenges associated with living independently while aging. Falls are a common issue with older adults living in their own homes. Keep your elderly loved one safe by evaluating the home environment to prevent injuries. Visit the Home Safety Council’s website for room-by-room safety tips for older adults, and for yourself. http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/safety_guide/sg_lifestyle_w003.aspx
Don’t forget that the Work/Life Resource Center is available to assist in locating local and/or national eldercare resources for you and your family!
http://www.hr.umich.edu/worklife/
Classes for Older Adults and Caregivers
Turner Senior Resource Center
2401 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- Every Monday, 12-1:15: Free Blood Pressure Screening, no appointment required
- Wednesday, June 11 12:30 - 2 pm: "How to Talk to your Doctor - Make the Most of your Appointment." Dr. Neal Persky, M.D., UM Turner Geriatric Clinic. No fee, must register, 734-998-9353
- Saturday, June 14, 10 am - 12: Grandparenting - Making it Grand." Learn the latest trends in childcare, child-rearing, long-distance grandparenting and more. Dr. Inta Ertel, UM Dept. of Pediatrics, co-sponsored by M-Fit Health Education Resource Center. Fee: $10. Must register, 734-998-9353.
- Friday July 11 and Monday July 14, 9am - 12:30 pm. "AARP Driver Safety Program." This 2-session classroom driving information course helps improve driving skills and teaches ways to avoid driving hazards. Les Goings, AARP. Fee: $10. Must register, 734-998-9353.
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Often we find ourselves with many tasks and obligations. Some of us struggle with finding a balance with our personal, work and family obligations. A lot of the responsibilities and activities we have in our lives have fixed or routine times, thus we just go about doing them. For some finding time for our families is not always easy. We may believe that we shouldn’t have to schedule the time, “it” should just happen.
Setting up some routine and setting aside times for family “down” or “quiet” time may be very helpful. This would be particularly true if you have a new family member or if a family member is on a different work shift than others in the family. There are a couple ways to go about this. Foremost I would suggest getting all of your family members involved in the discussion of how to create “special set aside” time for family “down time”.
Following are some suggestions to consider in creating some quiet or set aside time for family or personal time that is not filled with obligations, tasks or activities outside the home. Consider the following:
- Establish a time after a common meal or weekend time that everyone takes a break at the same time.
- Set the time so everyone is home together
- Both time for talking and communication and for individual relaxing are good, fostering both interaction and/or reflection
- Try writing or drawing something on your own and then share with other family members.
- Remember it is OKAY to do Nothing at times!
When your family is together it is helpful to have some time when there are no electronic distractions. So agree not to answer the phone (turn it off or turn on the answering machine), turn off the computers, televisions and radios and see what happens.
When your family establishes some time(s) try and establish them as routines, then post those times on the calendar, in writing on your refrigerator, or a place where it is a reminder for everyone.
For many of us we know that there are unexpected obligations and emergencies that come up, but if family time(s) get established, family communication and relationships can improve.
If you would like to discuss improving family communication and/or relationships call for an appointment to speak to a professional counselor at FASAP. Feel free to call FASAP at 936-8660 or email the office at fasap@umich.edu for confidential assistance
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“Parenting the Next Generation” Educational Workshop Coming!
FASAP will be offering a second, six week educational support group for the parents of teenagers this coming fall Sessions are held over the lunch hour. The workshop is designed to provide responsive, educational, teaching and behavioral skills to parents with children who are between the ages of 12 and 18. If you would be interested in this series please contact FASAP at 936-8660 or email fasap@umich.edu.
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REMINDER about "Understanding U: Managing the Ups and Downs of Life" Website
As part of the Michigan Healthy Community project the “Understanding U” website offers a wealth of information on emotional, family and mental health topics. The site also offers confidential screenings for a number of conditions. For more information go to:
http://www.hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/understandingu/screen/index.html .
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