Berkeley Lab

Fall 2020 Be Well at Work Workshops

Be Well at Work has adapted our programs to be accessible, relevant, and sensitive to the unique circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether working from home or on campus, we recognize that staff has been significantly impacted, all while supporting the needs of family, students, and colleagues. This Fall, Be Well at Work workshops will be offered virtually and designed to help you manage these stressors, increase your resilience and foster your well-being.

Fall 2020 Caregiving Workshops

Planning Your Pregnancy Leave
Thursday, Sept. 24th, noon – 1 pm
Speakers: Yvette Escobar, UCB Disability Counselor, Kristin Rissanen Ikuta , UCB Academic Personnel, Nicole Roces,Employee/Labor Relations Consultant, Gabe Schmidt, Healthcare Facilitator

Thinking about starting a family? This workshop will provide information on leave policies, disability benefits, use of sick/vacation time, and options on when/how to return to work after having a child for both faculty and staff employees.

Breastfeeding Your Baby/Returning to Work or School 
Thursday, Oct 1st, 1 – 4:15 pm
Speaker: Tina Benitez, IBCLC

This 3-hour class is offered once a semester and is taught by a certified lactation consultant. The first two hours cover breastfeeding basics and problem solving. The last hour focuses on planning for return-to work or school and breast pumps. Those who have already attended a breastfeeding class are welcome to join the last portion.

Demystifying the College Application Process
Wednesday, Oct 7th, noon – 1 pm
Speaker: Tiffany Carter, Assistant Director, Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Are you wondering how best to support your teenager in having a happy, healthy, and successful college application experience? This informative workshop will strengthen your understanding, allow you to gain more information, and hear helpful tips to support your teenage student throughout the application process.

Mindful Parenting
Tuesday. Oct. 20th, noon – 1 pm
Speaker: Lucinda Beckley

Self-care, learning to push the pause button, and being mindful may not be responses we typically engage in when responding to the needs of our children, especially if we are tired, angry, or if we learned different parenting behaviors as children ourselves. The purpose of this workshop is to educate parents on effective ways of responding to our children’s needs and to gain valuable tools which will promote change in our responses and our relationships with our children. Participants will be able to express their needs with conviction and clarity in a calm and mindful manner.

Fall 2020 Financial Wellness Workshops

Starting your Investment Portfolio
Tuesday, Sept. 29th, noon – 1 pm
Speaker: Kenneth Leung, Millar Financial Group

With the coronavirus as a backdrop, and the presidential election around the corner, there are many uncertainties in the future. You have saved money for your retirement and for the unpredictable, but do you know how your money is working for you? Do you understand the stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that are hotly discussed all over the investment news? Join us for this workshop which will identify and discuss first steps to gaining basic knowledge of your investments.

Scarcity to Abundance: Personal Financial Empowerment for People of Color
Wednesday, Oct. 28th, noon – 1 pm
Speaker: Rita Zhang, Community Roots Financials

Scarcity often comes up as a money message and reality for people of color. The scarcity and feeling of not having enough is further compounded by the lack of community space to talk about money and finances together. This workshop will create space for you to reflect on and gain greater awareness of the money circles and stories that have shaped your life. We will hold a compassionate heart space for people of color to dialogue and support each other in our growth, healing, and empowerment on our personal finances.

Saving for College
Tuesday, Nov. 17th, noon – 1 pm
Speaker: Adalberto Padilla, ScholarShare

Learn about saving for college with the ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan. Participants will review the following points and be provided an opportunity to ask questions concerning saving for college: The benefits of higher education, The cost of higher education, What you can do, Different ways to save, Getting started, FAQs.

UC Retirement Plan (UCRP) – The Pension Plan
Tuesday, Nov. 3rd, 10 am – 12:30 pm
Speaker: Don Goldberg, UC Retirement Center Administration

The workshop will address the many areas one needs to consider for a successful and satisfying retirement and the benefits available through the UC Retirement Plan (UCRP). Content includes information about monthly retirement income and how it is calculated, cost of living adjustments, and lump sum cash out. The Retirement Savings Program and retiree health and welfare benefits will be discussed. Other UCRP benefits such as disability income, survivor income, basic death benefit and service credit buybacks will also be covered. This workshop is designed to help you increase your knowledge of utilizing available retirement resources.