We realize that these are very stressful and unsettled times for all of our valued employees and their families. During these unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever for our faculty, staff, and students to stay connected and engaged.
The Department of Human Resources is committed to providing assistance and resources to our valued employees. To that end, we have collected a wealth of information and resources to assist our employees during these challenging times. We will continue to monitor the situation and related resources and update this site frequently.
Below are resources that have been collected from various sources including our benefits vendors, other higher education institutions, HR community, and our own SCU colleagues. These sources are meant to provide helpful information, resources, and tips to support us all through these uncertain times.
Resources
- Employee Assistance Program - Concern: 1-800-344-4222 or employees.concernhealth.com - company code: scueap
- Health Advocate - 1.866.695.8622. Register online to access services: HealthAdvocate.com/members
- SCU’s Benefits Information Guide 2021 - important contacts are located on page 29
- Fidelity and TIAA - For information about retirement please visit SCU's portal.
- Benefits-related Updates due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - visit SCU's Benefits page
Retirement vendors resources:
Both of our retirement vendors, Fidelity and TIAA, are available to assist employees with retirement-related questions. They can provide assistance with:
- Quick and easy access to your plan, balances, and account information
- Timely updates to help you navigate any legislative relief that may be coming your way
- Other information and helpful resources on topics such as managing both stress and your budget through a crisis, replacing lost income, and understanding market cycles and emotions
Fidelity resources can be accessed via their Fidelity at Work website or by phone: 1-800-343-0860
TIAA resources can be accessed here or by phone: 1-800-842-2776
SCU Provided Resources
Employee emergency loan program: The Employee Emergency Loan Program (EELP) is available for benefit eligible employees. The loan program is meant to provide assistance to employees who find themselves facing a financial emergency. For additional information and eligibility requirements, refer to the Employee Emergency Loan Application.
SCU Staff & Faculty: COVID-19 Emergency Fund Request
Staff and Faculty Special Assistance grants up to $1,000 for COVID-19 related relief are intended to help Santa Clara University employees recover from "reasonable and necessary" expenses directly attributable to the coronavirus pandemic. These tax-free grants are disaster relief payments that will be paid through payroll and excluded from wages as a qualified disaster relief payment under IRC § 139. Requests for these funds may be made HERE
Related Information and Resources:
- Bright Horizons - 877-BH-CARES (242-2737) username: SantaClara password: backup12
Working Remotely - The "New" Work Environment
- Keep a regular routine - wake up, get dressed, have breakfast, work, take breaks, etc…
- Remember to take lunch and breaks - step away from work and your computer
- Have a designated place for working, set up your computer, phone, printer, and supplies - Log in and get ready for the day.
- Check out the SCU - DIY Working Well from Home guide for ideas on DIY ergonomics you can use to create a comfortable work environment.
- Learn to use Zoom (video, screen share, mute, etc) - practice before your first meeting
- Have Zoom meetings with your colleagues (turn video on!)
- Avoid back-to-back meetings in blocks longer than 2.5 hours; if a meeting is longer than 2 hours, schedule in a 10-minute break to increase focus and productivity.
- Put in your calendar time to do "active pauses" including stretching, going for a short walk, doing some yoga poses or even a 5 min meditation
- Sometimes, it’s ok to not be in video…this will allow you to stand and move around your workspace during calls
- If using video conferencing, turn your video only when you're ready to be seen. Check your backdrop so that others don't get focused on checking out what is behind you.
Suggested Articles:
We know everyone is adjusting to temporarily working from home. Santa Clara University's Information Services' Technology for Working Remotely page is the best place to find self-paced resources for many of the University's critical applications and services. You will also find tips & tricks on DUO, G Suite, security, internet speed and more.
Staying Engaged
Working remotely is our new reality. As we navigate this new reality together, there are things we can do to keep ourselves and others productive and engaged. Below are links to articles we hope you and your team will find helpful.
A Guide to Managing Your (Newly) Remote Workers
What it Takes to Run a Great Virtual Meeting
5 Tips to Better Engage Your Remote Employees Today
Staying Engaged While Working Remotely
Ideas for Creating a Sense of Culture, Community Amid Social Distancing and Work-From-Home Mandates
Practicing Wellness and Self Care
- Follow guidelines for washing hands, social distancing, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning & disinfecting - CDC Guidelines for Prevention
- Limit time spent watching/reading the news; only check a couple of times a day and set a time limit - becomes overwhelming! Same goes for social media
- Stay Connected with Others
- Call or FaceTime family and friends
- Connect with someone you haven’t contacted in a while
- Have dinner or celebrate with family and friends via video conference or FaceTime
- Set up a game or trivia night at home or with others via video conference or FaceTime
- Have a Karaoke Night with family and video with friends and family
- Stay Healthy
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet and drink lots of water
- Keep your normal exercise routine or find a new one - do a search for free exercise classes online/YouTube or free apps - Yoga (yogawithadriene.com), Barre3, myfitnesspal.com, Nike Training app,
- Take a walk outside, get on your recumbent bike or treadmill
- Get adequate sleep - Together with diet and exercise, sleep is beneficial in reducing stress and building the immune system.
- Take time out for yourself
- Journal - write a sentence a day, what you’re grateful for
- Watch your favorite game shows, tv shows, or streaming shows
- Listen to your favorite podcast
- Tend to your garden
- Cook - share recipes
- Read - join/create a virtual book club
- Meditate - Guided Meditation with Sylvia, apps with some free content - Headspace, calm, SmilingMind
- Keep occupied with games, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, coloring books, art
- Enjoy a glass of wine
- Online webinars/training (look for the free courses): - Linkedin Learning, Ted Talks, Coursera
- Remain Hopeful! As Father O’Brien has stated, “Clear-headed, calm, and generous in spirit, we will get through this, with God’s help and the help of one another.”
Suggested Articles and webinars:
The outbreak of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, has become a worldwide pandemic. Keeping you and your family protected against the COVID-19 outbreak is of the upmost importance. Marsh & McLennan Agency (MMA), the University's benefits broker, has developed a list of no-cost resources to help you stay healthy while staying at home. Thes resources include at-home specifics content on topics including physical activity, mental health, nutrition, ergonomics and more. For more information and the list of resources refer to the Staying Healthy While Staying at Home guide.
Activities for Parents with Kids at Home
Similar to adults, kids may find it challenging to adjust to staying at home for an extended period of time. Below are links to different online resources and activities that can assist you and your kids in coping with the current situation.
- https://www.brighthorizons.com/staying-healthy-covid19
- Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring Coronavirus (NPR)
- Free, Online Learning Resources When Coronavirus Closes Schools (Cato Institute)
- Activities to do with Your Kids (Hands-on as We Grow)
- Giant List of Ideas for Being Home with Kids (google doc)
- Survival Guide for WFH Parents with Kids (Google Doc via Jessica Yuen)
- Educational Companies Offering Free Subscriptions (google doc)
- Khan Academy Schedules for School Closures (Google Doc, Khan Academy)
Lending A Hand
Have you ever asked yourself, how we can help others during these unsettling times? Though the shelter-in order limits the ways we can help others, there are still some ways you can help others while staying safe.
Information and Resources for Student Employees
- Special Assistance Fund: Through the generosity of our alumni, parents, and friends, we have established the SCU Special Assistance Fund to support both undergraduate and graduate students experiencing IMMEDIATE financial need as a result of COVID-19 related events. We realize that the tumultuous circumstances have impacted our students. Students seeking monetary assistance during this time are encouraged to complete a request. Information on the Food Insecurity Program and Bronco Pantry can be found here.
- Food Insecurity Program: Through this program, students have the opportunity to gain Flex Dining Points, gift cards to local stores
- Bronco Pantry: The SCU Bronco Food Pantry opened Winter Quarter 2019 and currently houses non-perishable food items and basic toiletries.
- External Resources:
- Scholly Relief Fund, more information here.
Vaccination Resources
Please wait until you are fully vaccinated before completing your vaccine attestation in Workday. You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two-dose vaccine series such as Pfizer or Moderna, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson.
Uploading Your Vaccination Card
Instructions to Upload Vaccination Booster Information
Uploading COVID-19 Medical/Religious Exemption Form
Viewing Your Vaccination Information
Below are the forms for both medical and religous exemptions for the COVID-19 Vaccination.