Carolina Wellness Matters: What does work-life balance look like for you?
Clerical skills: Graduates earn office internships
Fall for All: 2006 Employee Appreciation Day

What does work-life balance look like for you?

Balance is a hot concept these days, especially where work and home are concerned. Finding a work-life balance can be challenging, since the demands of each can potentially leave you feeling like you do not have sufficient time for the other.

Work-life balance means effectively managing the requirements of paid work and the demands of other activities and obligations that are important to us. There is no “one size fits all” recipe for achieving this. You may feel like you spend too much time with your paid work, while for others, the issue is being able to get into work or find more work rather than having too much work. When thinking of whether your work-life scales are in balance, though, don’t compare yourself with others, because everyone’s view of balance is different.

Just as balance varies from person to person, it also varies over time, often on a daily basis. The right balance for you today will probably be different tomorrow. For example, the right balance for you when you are single will change with a partner and/or children. Similarly, your balance will change when you are starting a career versus when you are nearing retirement.

It is also good to remember that at times your life will be out of balance, but you’ll have an end in sight. For example, if you have young children, you might feel that you spend more time on your children than on yourself, since they demand so much of your attention. Or you might have a very intense work project that demands more time than usual. At some point, however, your children will become more independent or the work project will end. However, if you are in a stressful life situation that is out of balance with no end in sight, you may need to re-examine your work-life balance and find help or additional resources.

To visually see your current work-life balance, create a life-balance wheel. Draw two circles on a piece of paper, labeling one circle, “How it is,” and the other, “How I would like it to be.” Next, create a list of categories requiring your time such as work, volunteer efforts, family, leisure, education, exercise, etc. With the “How it is” circle, section the circle according to how you are currently allocating your time.

On the “How I would like it to be,” draw your ideal time allocation among these categories. If both circles match, you have found a desirable work-life balance. If not, think about how the circles are different and what small steps you might take to move a little closer to how you would like your balance to be. If your circles are very different, don’t worry. Change takes time, so give yourself permission to make small changes that will move you closer to your balance goals.

If you would like more information on work-life balance, or to suggest future topics for Carolina Wellness Matters, e-mail Holly Tiemann at holly_tiemann@unc.edu or call 962-9682.

Clerical Skills:
Graduates earn office internships

The three graduates of this year’s Basic Clerical Skills program have all received office-based internships at the University. Basic Clerical Skills is a career development program for employees who have minimal or no training in an office environment and would like to gain basic clerical skills.

Ophelia Hill is currently working as an intern in the Building Services Department, Life Safety/Access Control Shop in Facilities Services, while Lorraine Graham-Dorsett is interning with the Family Support Network of North Carolina. Yvonne Snipes will soon begin her internship in the Grounds Department in Facilities Services.

“I’d like to thank the many partners and supporters of the program,” said Felecia Perry, staff development specialist in the Training & Development Department in the Office of Human Resources. Perry manages the Basic Clerical Skills program.

“We received great assistance on many fronts, including University resources, local community colleges and student tutoring organizations, past program graduates and current mentors. It is also important to recognize the family, friends and co-workers of the graduates, as well as Facilities Services management, who supported them through the process,” Perry added.

 A new program will begin in 2007; however, the enrollment process is changing and will require applicants to attend a prerequisite class offered by Durham Technical Community College, beginning in January 2007. For more information, call Perry at 962-9681 or visit hr.unc.edu/Data/SPA/training/basic_cler.

Fall for all:
UNC-Chapel Hill 2006 Employee Appreciation Day

Plan to join your co-workers to celebrate your contributions to the University.

This is a work-time event, with prior approval from your supervisor and providing coverage within your department during your attendance at the event.

Thursday, October 19

Join us for complimentary food, games, prizes and fun.

Challenge your colleagues to a game of hoops ...

Grab a hot dog, Pepsi and some popcorn ...

Try your hand at Putt-Putt or ping-pong ...

Browse the Expo and register for prizes ...

Take advantage of the Student Stores discount ...

And most importantly,

Take some time to relax, unwind and enjoy the
company of your fellow UNC employees.

Times & Locations

Food, Games and Entertainment:  10 a.m. — 2 p.m. in The Pit

Student Stores Discount: (25% off books & UNC logo items)
Extended Hours for Faculty and Staff: 7:30 a.m. — 7 p.m. (Textbooks not included)

Employee Expo and Benefits Fair: 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. in the Student Union’s Great Hall

Food Drive (entry doors of Great Hall):

Donate non-perishable and canned food (minimum of four items) to The Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina and you’ll be entered to win one of five pairs of tickets to the N.C. State Fair.