A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL) will be available for the duration of the Public Health Emergency declaration. Full-time employees may be eligible for up to 80 hours of PHEL beginning January 10th, the start of the new leave year (the 160 hours will end on January 9, 2021). Please note that the federal FFCRA leave expired on December 31, 2020.
The message below is from New York Life Insurance Company. You may recall they ran a special enrollment in 2015 and are running it again to deliver benefits to state employees through voluntary payroll deduction. A website has been dedicated for Virginia’s state employees as a substitute for the benefit fairs that aren’t happening this year. The message contains a link to a website where you can find information about New York Life’s benefits and request an agent contact you directly.
Dear State of Virginia Employees,
Protecting your family is what matters most to you, and it’s no different for us. Being an agent means being able to help families like yours. We want you to feel that you can rely on us for support.
Your window to add or increase coverage is open now. Your organization is offering all eligible employees a Guaranteed Issue Employee’s Whole Life insurance, which allows you to purchase cash value permanent life insurance to supplement your current benefit program. This life insurance protection has no medical exams, no medical questions, is available to your immediate family1 and will stay with you should you leave your employer, as long as premiums are paid when due.
To view more information on Employee’s Whole Life Guaranteed Issue, please click here (or the play button below).
To schedule your initial meeting, follow the link above and enter your contact information so one of our agents can contact you directly. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call or e-mail with any questions or concerns you may have in the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Mark P. Riley, CLU, CLTC Albert “Rusty” Copland
New York Life New York Life
211 Mclaws Circle 4732 Longhill Rd. Suite 3201
Suite 1 Williamsburg, VA 23188
Williamsburg, VA Business: (757) 229-2054
Business: (757) 229-2900 Fax: (757) 220-4830
Dear employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia and participating TLC agencies,
We are excited to announce the “Walk into the New Year” challenge! This challenge was created in partnership by CommonHealth, Virginia Department of Health, and Department of Conservation and Recreation. This movement challenge will encourage employees to visit state parks, get out, and enjoy nature, all while getting in their steps. This challenge begins on November 27 to help celebrate the Opt Outside initiative which encourages people to get outside rather than waiting in a line to shop. The 6-week challenge will also run through January 1, when all state parks are free to visit for that day! Walk into the New Year will end on January 8 and three lucky people will win a one year pass good for entry at any of the Virginia State Parks!
How to participate: Participants can complete the challenge in two ways. First, you can just walk, track your steps, and submit your self-reported steps at the end of the challenge. The second way to participate is to fill out the Bingo card. The Bingo card will have a wide range of physical activities you can complete and also some chances to just sit and enjoy your surroundings in one of Virginia’s beautiful state parks. Find a park near you by following this link to the Virginia State Parks website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/find-a-park.
Use these links to log your steps on a weekly basis and submit your completed Bingo card.
Walk Into the New Year Challenge Weekly Log
Walk into the New Year BINGO Card
How to play the Bingo card: In order to get a bingo and qualify for a raffle entry, you must complete all items in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row. Bingo activities are all self-reported and you will submit a copy of your completed bingo card at the end of the challenge between January 8 and January 12, 2021 in order to be entered in the raffle.
Step goal and how to track and report your steps: The weekly goal for each participant is to complete 20,000 steps. This is based on the American Heart Association’s advice to be active 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week. An average person typically walks one mile in fifteen minutes which equates to 2000 steps. Step tracking will be self-reported; however, we encourage you to use a pedometer, fitness app, or other device to assist in your tracking.
Other ways to participate: We realize that some people have difficulty walking and that the weather may not always cooperate so you can also count steps by doing the following ways (physical activity can be anything that gets up and moving from time in the gym to vigorous vacuuming):
15 minutes of physical activity = 1000 steps
30 minutes of physical activity = 2000 steps
45 minutes of physical activity = 2000 steps
60 minutes of physical activity = 4000 steps
What will be raffled? The raffle will be for three 1-year Virginia state park passes! Each pass is good for one year and will get you into any Virginia State Park.
How to Register: State employees and participating TLC agencies should register to participate between November 9 and Wednesday, November 25. Click on the registration link below to register for the challenge. All participants will receive weekly emails with wellness tips and to track progress of activities, including reminders and opportunities in Virginia’s Parks and Trails. https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/5993176/Walk-Into-The-New-Year-Challenge
For employees who have Arthritis, Chronic Pain, or need additional support during this challenge, we encourage you to participate in the Self-Guided Walk with Ease Program (WWE). The registration link will automatically ask if you would like to participate in this part of the challenge. Below is more information about WWE. Participation in WWE is limited. Self-Guided Walk With Ease: Self-Guided WWE is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(CDC) funded 6-week walking program that can easily be integrated into the workplace. Self-Guided WWE was developed by the Arthritis Foundation and is the only walking program identified as an arthritis-appropriate evidence-based intervention by the CDC. WWE has been proven effective in increasing balance, reducing pain, and improving mental health, flexibility and overall physical health. While walking is the central activity, Self-Guided WWE is a multi-component program that includes six weekly motivational emails that address health education, strengthening, and stretching exercises, and motivational strategies.
Important dates:
Registration opens November 9, 2020
Registration closes November 26, 2020
Challenge begins November 27, 2020
Challenge ends January 8, 2021
Submit Bingo cards and/or steps January 12, 2021
Questions about registration: mona.burwell@vdh.virginia.gov
General questions about the challenge: Commonhealth.challenges@dhrm.virginia.gov
Make it easy for your employees to earn a bonus from VACU
We’re making it easier than ever for your employees to join Virginia Credit Union with our new online membership site. There’s no paperwork for you, and no paperwork for them. And if they apply online, we’ll waive the minimum required deposit that we usually require to open an account.
Here’s all you need to do:
Let us know if you have any questions at all. Thanks again for your continued support, and please don’t hesitate to let us know how we can help you and your employees achieve your financial goals.
Best,
Partner Perks Team
In an effort to keep some sense of normalcy, as well as some financial education for our employees, VRS is offering some online courses for employees during the month of April – https://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/files/2020/04/VRS-Financial-Literacy-Month.pdf. Also ICMA-RC at https://www.varetirement.org/hybrid/education/defined-contributions.html (you can check with your Provider for their webinar schedules) are offering online courses and pre-recorded webinars for your use. April is considered National Financial Literacy Month and what better time to take a financial check-up to see how we are all doing.
For Hybrid Retirement Participants, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Participants and ORPHE – DCP Participants
Interested in a phone appointment or virtual meeting with the Financial Advisor?
Click here to register for a Virtual Appointment
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