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Duke HR News - 2003 Archive

December 19, 2003
Is it your New Year's Resolution to lose weight? Perhaps you want to become more physically active. Maybe your goal is to maintain your current weight. If any of these ring true, join LIVE FOR LIFE's new and expanded Lose More In 2004 program.

December 19, 2003
Has the "season to be jolly" rolled around without you? It's not unusual to feel out-of-sync with what we think the holidays "ought" to be. The following tips from Personal Assistance Service may help pick up your spirits and see you through the upcoming season.

December 12, 2003
Learning & Organization Development (L&OD) has announced their new course schedule for workshops from January - April, 2004. L&OD offers workshops to Duke employees in the areas of computer technology, professional development and management development. L&OD can arrange private classes or customize classes according to specific organizational needs.

December 12, 2003
Do you need temporary help for a special project or to cover shifts during the holidays? DTS can help you find well qualified, fully screened and competent temporary staff for a broad range of needs.

December 1, 2003
Over-the-counter drugs and medicines may now be reimbursable under your Health Care Spending Account effective January 1, 2004.

November 25, 2003
Just dial the United Way 2-1-1 service to be connected to free, 24-hour, bilingual, confidential information and referral service for non-emergency situations such as legal assistance, consumer help, senior services, and more.

November 25, 2003
Now is the time to make plans to attend this year's Duke Holiday Parties that will take place Monday, December 8 and Thursday, December 11. You can participate in dance contests, sing karaoke for prizes, and listen to the latest tunes and holiday music provided by a deejay.

November 14, 2003
Visit the LIVE FOR LIFE Great American SmokeOut on November 20th at the Duke Clinic Food Court and the Duke Hospital Cafeteria from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

November 14, 2003
Duke has partnered with the Child Care Services Association (CCSA) through the Duke Child Care Partnership to provide a $200,000 donation to fund grants to area child care centers for improving the quality of child care or expanding space for infants and toddlers. In exchange for this financial support, Duke faculty, staff and students will receive priority for vacant spaces at these facilities when they become available.

November 12, 2003
As part of ongoing efforts to assess and improve the work environment, Duke is conducting a three-month pilot of an exit survey for all staff voluntarily leaving its employment.

November 6, 2003
On November 7, twenty-four Duke employees graduate from the 10-month Professional Development Institute office staff development program. Some of the participants have already moved to higher-level positions, either through internal promotion within their department or in different departments.

October 24, 2003
Duke University was recently honored with the Corporate Spirit Award at the INROADS "Partners In A Shared Vision" award ceremony.

October 17, 2003
Duke University was recently honored with the Corporate Spirit Award at the award ceremony for INROADS - an internship program designed to develop and place talented minority youth in business and industry and prepare them for corporate and community leadership.

October 17, 2003
The Professional Development Institute is looking for office support staff who may be interested in becoming a mentor for participants in the office staff development program.

October 14, 2003
Duke employees are eligible for free flu shots at select clinic or campus sites.

October 10, 2003
Duke University received third place for the Recruiting & Staffing Best In Class (RASBIC) award in the "Best Overall Recruiting & Staffing Organization of the Year" category.

October 8, 2003
The Duke Children's Campus has opened the doors to an expanded facility that doubled the center's capacity for children of faculty, staff and graduate and professional students.

September 18, 2003
The 2003 United Way Duke Partnership campaign begins September 29 and ends November 7. The campaign is about helping friends, neighbors, colleagues and others who live and work in our community.

September 12, 2003
Duke employees will be able to enroll or make changes in their health and dental coverage or reimbursement accounts for the coming year during the annual open enrollment period from Sept. 29 - Oct. 11, 2003.

September 12, 2003
Duke employees are now able to benefit from an enhancement to the Kiel Memorial Voluntary Vacation/PTO Donation Program. Effective September 1, 2003, the one-year eligibility requirement has been reduced to 90 days, to coincide with the completion of a new employee's probationary period.

August 29, 2003
For the second consecutive year, Duke University and Health System has been named as one of the top family-friendly workplaces in North Carolina by Carolina Parent magazine. The magazine highlighted Duke's health insurance benefits, paid time off policy and on-site child care center while referencing a broad range of other benefits.

August 28, 2003
Duke University has extended a policy providing temporary financial support for employees called to active military service. Earlier this year, Duke announced a temporary policy effective Jan. 1 - June 30 that provided supplemental pay and waived dependent health care premiums for employees called to active military duty. This week Duke approved an extension of the policy from July 1 - Dec. 31.

August 11, 2003
Duke has announced a new parental leave benefit for staff that will provide greater support for employees balancing the demands of work and family life. The new benefit, which takes effect September 1, provides three weeks of base pay to eligible staff -- either female or male -- who are considered the primary caregiver for their families.

August 1, 2003
Did you know that Duke offers numerous elder care benefits for employees and their families? Eligible faculty and staff can enroll in a long-term care program, schedule consultations with the Center for Aging, review the elder care referral guide, and join the associations dedicated to supporting Duke retirees.

July 18, 2003
Now is the time to make plans to attend this year's Duke Appreciation Week festivities taking place Sunday, August 10 - Saturday, August 16. "During this week, we will be bringing deserved recognition to our outstanding faculty and staff who demonstrate their dedication to Duke through the work they do," says Clint Davidson, vice president of Human Resources.

July 18, 2003
The first class of the Professional Development Institute recently began the internship phase, which marks the halfway point of the 40-week program. Follow the progress of two participants as they begin internships that provide hands-on experience to help prepare them for higher-level positions.

July 14, 2003
Did you know that Duke provides an emergency travel assistance program for faculty and staff that travels with you, anywhere in the world - anywhere you may need it? You don't have to enroll or apply. You are automatically covered. The program coordinates with your medical coverage to provide emergency medical evacuation, travel and communication assistance, and pre-departure services.

July 1, 2003
In an effort to help Duke staff and their families plan for the financial future, Human Resources offered the broad range of free workshops June 23 - 26 at the Searle Center, Bryan Center, Durham Regional Hospital, and Raleigh Community Hospital. The workshops offered information for beginning investors to those approaching retirement.

July 1, 2003
Effective July 1, federal tax withholding tables have changed to reflect the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. To see how this affects your take home pay, please see our Take Home Pay Calculator.

June 27, 2003
As the hurricane season comes upon us and the possibility of severe weather increases, it is a good time to review Duke's severe weather policy.

June 12, 2003
In an effort to help staff and their families plan for their financial future, Human Resources is introducing a range of free financial workshops as part of its first annual Financial Fitness Week from June 23 - 26.

May 30, 2003
Come join the Duke Run/Walk Club on Thursday, June 5 for the first session of this free 12-week training program. The training program includes cardiovascular and strength training for all fitness levels, from new exercisers and beginning runners to those training for half-marathons.

May 19, 2003
Duke has developed guidelines for responding to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in an effort to protect faculty, staff, students and visitors. These guidelines are posted on the Duke SARS web site and will be updated as new information becomes available. The site also includes Q&As, contacts at Duke, and resources for additional information.

May 16, 2003
Are you having a hard time finding fresh vegetables? Tired of finding bruised fruits and long lines at your local grocer? Visit the LIVE FOR LIFE Farmer's Market this Spring and purchase fruits and vegetables to help you get your five servings a day. Visit the Duke Farmer's Market web site for dates, times, and location.

May 2, 2003
Twenty-four university and health system employees are currently participating in the Professional Development Institute's office staff development program. Two months into the program, participants are already seeing results.

April 18, 2003
As part of the continuing effort to help faculty, staff and their families plan for their financial future, two new resources are being introduced with the distribution of the annual personal benefits statement in early May.

April 15, 2003
Want an inexpensive reference guide for DreamWeaver, Excel, Access or other computer application? Stop by Learning & Organization on Monday, May 5, for a sale on manuals of previous versions of technology training materials.

April 11, 2003
Learning & Organization Development (L&OD) has announced their new course schedule for workshops from May - August. L&OD offers workshops to Duke employees in the areas of computer technology, professional development and management development. L&OD can arrange private classes or customize classes according to specific organizational needs.

April 4, 2003
The winners of the Presidential Award for outstanding service were presented by President Nannerl O. Keohane on Friday, April 4. The Presidential Awards are the highest and most prestigious that Duke gives to its staff.

March 31, 2003
Participants enrolled in health care or dependent care reimbursement accounts for the 2002 plan year (January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002) should submit all claims by April 15, 2003 to request reimbursement.

March 28, 2003
With experts projecting the cost of health care to increase by about 15 percent nationally this year, individuals and families are seeking new ways to stretch their health care dollars. Lois Ann Green, director of Benefits at Duke, discusses ways that Duke employees can save on health care costs.

March 25, 2003
The Professional Development Institute is currently accepting applications for the second class of the office staff development program that will begin June 2003.

March 25, 2003
Duke's Personal Assistance Program offers advice and support to employees and their immediate families on how to cope during these challenging times.

March 24, 2003
The Duke Children's Campus, Duke's on-campus child care center and preschool, was awarded a five star rated license from the N.C. Division of Child Development. The five star rating, which has been awarded to less than 10 percent of child care centers in North Carolina, is the highest rating allocated to a child care facility by the state.

March 21, 2003
With experts projecting the cost of health care to increase by about 15 percent nationally this year, individuals and families are seeking new ways to stretch their health care dollars.

March 21, 2003
In support of employees who have been called to active military duty and their families, Duke University & Health System has approved a policy that will provide supplemental pay and waive dependent health care premiums for up to six months.

March 5, 2003
Duke Children's Campus, the university's on-campus child care center and preschool, will begin construction in April on a project to double the center's capacity for children of faculty, staff and graduate and professional students.

March 4, 2003
The Professional Development Institute's office staff development program launched its inaugural class in February. The 24 participants accepted into the first class are employed in administrative and office support positions across the University and Health System. The Institute is accepting applications from eligible participants for the next class beginning June 2. Applications will be accepted through March 21.

February 20, 2003
Since 1996, more than 1,300 DTS temporaries have transferred to regular positions at Duke. Janet Isackson is one of the many DTS employees who have distinguished themselves while working in temporary positions and eventually transferred to regular positions at Duke.

February 10, 2003
Come join the Duke Run/Walk Club on Monday, February 10 for our first training session of 2003! All walkers, run/walkers, and runners are welcome to participate in this free 12-week training program. The club will meet Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Wallace Wade Stadium and will train to run or walk at local races.

January 21, 2003
Staff and Family Programs is now offering discounted movie tickets for Consolidated Tickets are available at 154 Trent Hall on Thursdays and at the Medical Center Human Resource Office in Duke South on Fridays. For a complete list of discounts, please see our Employee Discounts web site.

January 14, 2003
Web Tool Training classes through July for any new hires who would be using the tools and/or to serve as refresher classes for anyone who is already using the tools.