October is Work and Family Month

 October is National Work and Family Month and to recognize the month, University of Kentucky Human Resources Work-Life is hosting several workshops. 

National Work and Family Month is an annual designation that began in 2003. It aims to highlight the importance of creating a harmonious relationship between professional responsibilities and family commitments.  

“Celebrating this month involves recognizing the benefits of a balanced lifestyle,” said Azetta W. Beatty, UK HR Work-Life Benefits Manager. “When people manage their work and family responsibilities well, they experience less stress and greater satisfaction in both areas.” 

The theme of this year’s month is Work-Life Harmony. 

“This is an opportunity to support and encourage our UK employees by reminding or introducing them to our many work-life and well-being resources,” said Beatty. “With this year’s theme, we hope to remind employees to seek out resources that are the most helpful to them in this season of their lives.” 

There are many ways you can recognize and celebrate this month. Make a to-do list of a few items and get started. Here are few ideas:  

• Schedule lunch or dinner with a friend 
• Plan an activity or outing with family and friends 
• Host a gathering 
• Take a mindful walk 
• Read an interesting book 
• Sign up for a helpful podcast 
• Visit a place that brings you joy and peace 
• Attend a workshop 
• Volunteer 
• Schedule daily self-care moments 

UK HR Work-Life will host a series of workshops on Tuesdays and Thursdays in October designed to help employees thrive personally and professionally. All sessions are from noon to 1 p.m. unless otherwise noted. The scheduled workshops are:  

Tuesday Series  

• Oct. 1: Essential building blocks of well-being, noon – 1 p.m. via Zoom. How would work and life be different if you and your team were thriving more and worn-down less? Together we'll explore the building blocks of well-being and provide tangible, research-based practices and techniques that will help you and your team engage, re-connect and flourish more in life. Register here. 
• Oct. 8: New teen driver safety tips, noon – 1 p.m. via Zoom. We all want our children to be safe when they take to the roads and prepared for the unexpected. Teenage drivers say their parents are the number one influence on how they act when they get behind the wheel. Join this workshop in Teen Drivers Safety Month and hear some tips that we hope will help put your mind at ease. These safety tips can help make sure they are ready when they get behind the wheel. Register here. 
• Oct. 15: Physical and emotional safety at school, noon – 1 p.m. via Zoom. Join us for a conversation on navigating school issues that may interfere with your child’s learning. We will discuss physical safety such as bullying, external behaviors, etc., and emotional safety such as social emotional learning and mental health. We will hear from school experts on these topics and learn about the resources available for families. Register here. 
• Oct. 22: Family preparedness in case of emergency, noon – 1 p.m. via Zoom. Is your family prepared for emergencies inside and outside of the home? Join us to hear some helpful tips and strategies to make sure your family has the proper resources to prepare for emergency situations such as natural disasters, home accidents, and more. Register here. 
• Oct 29: Helping children who experience trauma, noon – 1 p.m. via Zoom. Every year, children and adolescents experience disasters and other traumatic events. These experiences can disrupt a child’s sense of safety and security resulting in anxiety and depression. Family, friends, and trusted adults are in unique positions to help when they know how. Join Dr. David Weisenhorn as he identifies some of the ways children respond to trauma, ways you can help, and some of the resources available. Register here. 

Thursday Series 

• Oct. 3: Healthy ways to manage workplace conflicts, noon – 1 p.m. via Zoom. Workplaces can be complex and challenging at times. We are talking about people having a good relationship with other people from various backgrounds, interests, personalities, and generations. So, what do you do when you have a conflict at work? How do you resolve these conflicts in a healthy manner? Join us for this workshop that will explore ways to resolve workplace conflicts while maintaining healthy relationships at work. Register here. 
• Oct. 10: Hello Fall! Working Parents Brown Bag, noon – 1 p.m. in Room U-113 at the Lewis Honors College. All UK working parents are invited to attend. Bring your lunch and connect with other parents at this casual gathering. RSVP is desired, not required.  This is an in-person meet-up event at the Lewis Honors College. Register here.  
• Oct. 17: Working Parents Network monthly Thursday campus walk, 12:10 – 1 p.m. Meet in front of the Funkhouser Building. Rain or shine. All are invited to join Jenn Garlin and Franny Henkel on a campus walk for exercise and conversation. Consider this a self-care break with other UK working parents. No RSVP required. 
• Oct. 24: Advocating for your child in education, noon – 1 p.m. via Zoom. Have you ever wondered how to seek help for your child at school? Do you want to speak up and ask for help, but don’t know where to start? Has your child ever come home and shared about something that happened at school and you wondered who do you call first? Parents are our child’s first and best advocates. Join us for this workshop and learn about tips for advocating for your child and what resources are available to support you. Register here. 

Additional opportunities for connections 

• Oct. 2: Healthy Relationship Series – Family at noon. Register here.  
• Oct. 7: Working Parents Network bi-weekly Monday campus walking at 12:10 p.m. RSVP not required. Find out more information here. 
• Oct. 7: Virtual Parents Circle at 1 p.m. Register here.  
• Oct. 16: Working Parents “Real Talk” virtual chat at 8:30 a.m. Register here.  
• Oct. 16: Elder caregivers support group at noon. Register here.  
• Oct. 16: Healthy Relationship Series – Friends at noon. Register here.  
• Oct. 17: Medications and aging at noon. Register here. 
• Oct. 21: Working Parents Network bi-weekly Monday campus walking at 12:10 p.m. RSVP not required. Find out more information here.  
• Oct. 30: Healthy Relationship Series - Romantic Partners at noon. Register here. 

Visit our website for a complete list of services and resources and the calendar for upcoming work-life and well-being opportunities.  

For more information, contact Azetta W. Beatty, UK HR Work-Life Benefits Manager at worklife@uky.edu.