Author: Amanda Corrigan

Reminder: Summer Flex
A reminder that the four hours of additional Special Flex Holiday leave provided to salaried staff (and faculty) last month has to be used, with supervisor permission, by the end of August 2016.

An FAQ is available on the Human Resources and Payroll homepage at hr.gmu.edu. If you have any questions that are not addressed in the FAQ, contact 703-993-2600. 

Adult Caregiving Support Group: Regular Meetings
Due to positive feedback at the June interest meeting, Human Resources and Payroll will host regular meetings to support Mason faculty and staff caring for adult loved ones (i.e. adult children, spouses/partners, and parents). Meetings will provide opportunities for members to share stories, strategies, and resources as they navigate the unique challenges of adult caregiving.

If you are interested in participating, join us in Merten Hall, Room 4102 on the first Thursday of every month from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Upcoming meetings dates:

• August 4
• September 1
• October 6
• November 3
• December 1

For questions, contact the Life/Work Connections team at [email protected].

New Online Financial Well-Being Classes from TIAA
TIAA has some new online financial well-being offerings! You do not need to be a TIAA member to participate. August and September will feature some special topic, live webinars that may be of particular interest:

• Estate Planning
• Annuities
• Social Security
• Demystifying Life Insurance
• 529 College Savings Plans

For a complete schedule, including dates and times, visit TIAA Q3 Webinars. Register at tiaa.org/VE.

Well-Being Seminar on Mason Cultural Tours
Join Rita Rowand, Mason’s Cultural Tours Program Manager, as she reprises her engaging travel planning seminar on Thursday, September 1, at noon. During this session, learn about travel opportunities through the new Mason Cultural Tours program, which invites everyone to take part in cultural travel programs throughout the world. Hear about exciting destinations which incorporate learning and fun, while traveling with friends of Mason.

Learn how you can take advantage of group rates and travel in comfort and safety with the services of a Mason Study Abroad staff member. To register, visit hr.gmu.edu/learning/hr.php. This session will be videoconferenced to Arlington and SciTech. 

Summer Bridge Camp
Sometimes summer camps end a little too soon, leaving time that needs to be “bridged” before public elementary schools start. To help with that challenge, Human Resources and Payroll is piloting a summer bridge camp from August 15 to September 2 for children ages 6-10. Choose one, two, or three weeks.

The camp theme is “Junior Detective Agency.” Camp will be held on the Fairfax Campus. For details, including camp pricing and before/after camp care, see the Summer Bridge Camp flyer. If you have questions or would like to discuss this new opportunity, contact Tina Morris at 703-993-5807 or [email protected].

Mason Recreation invites you to incorporate some fun and fitness into your Fridays this summer. All faculty and staff (with a Mason ID) have complimentary access to the RAC and the Aquatic and Fitness Center on Fridays through August 12, 2016. Visit recreation.gmu.edu for the summer schedule and hours of operation.

Stop by for a workout, or participate in any of the exercise classes they offer. Try a walking meeting on the treadmills, or a workout meeting with the weights.  Or just come by for some “me” time. You choose!

With your supervisor’s permission, combine Free Fridays with a flex schedule (e.g. four 9-hour days and one 4-hour day), so your workout fits nicely into your workday. Come in a little earlier or stay a little later on Fridays to enjoy a workout when it works for you and your team.

Try some Free Friday Flex Fun and Fitness, courtesy of Mason Recreation!

Summer deals are sizzling!  Check out these new discounts available to Mason staff:

NEW Life/Work Connections Discounts:

• REV Pilates Gym: Faculty and staff have a 20% discount on all of Rev Pilates Gym’s service offerings. This includes all drop-in classes and package purchases (both class packages and private sessions). Memberships are excluded from this offer.  Use the code GMU20 to receive the discount. Rev Pilates Gym is located in the University Mall Shopping Center at 10621-E Braddock Road in Fairfax.
• Green N Brown: Faculty and staff receive a discount ranging from 3% to 15%, plus free shipping, on all merchandise purchased online through Green N Brown. Note: This is an additional store-wide discount on top of any current discounts available. Use the code GNBEMPL to redeem the discount.
• TicketMonster: Florida destinations, theme parks, restaurants, movies, and more. Codes available by logging onto MyMasonHR from the Life/Work Connections discount page.
• TicketsatWork: Now offering special rates on Broadway shows. Codes available by logging onto MyMasonHR from the Life/Work Connections discount page.

NEW Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) Discounts:

• Carowinds: If you are vacationing in the Carolinas this summer
• Hotels.com: 10% off
• Orbitz: 5% off at select hotels

See all your DHRM discounts at dhrm.virginia.gov/employeediscounts.

Please note: The Optional Benefits listed on the DHRM discount page are not available at Mason.

Heartfelt congratulations to Bridget Peabody, training assistant for Human Resources and Payroll, for being selected as the July 2016 Employee of the Month award winner. Read more about Bridget in this Mason News article.

Do you know a superstar? Make sure he or she receives the deserved recognition, and submit a nomination for Mason’s Employee of the Month. Additional information can be found on the Human Resources and Payroll awards page.

Contact Reward and Recognition at [email protected] with questions.

Do you want to get out and explore on your own, or take your family out for an outdoor excursion, but lack the gear to do so? Mason Recreation can help!

Outdoor Adventures offers a full line of rental equipment. Whether you need a sleeping bag, tent, trekking poles, camp stove, or lantern, they can help. Ask about package discounts and long-term rental discounts.

All rentals are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and reservations are required in order to insure equipment is ready for pickup.

The gear rental center is located at Skyline Fitness Center on the Fairfax Campus, and open (upon request) on Thursday, Friday, and Monday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Email requests to [email protected].