From Melody's Desk

Dear UVAFinance Team,

I’m writing to check in with you all, to see how you are doing.  We are approaching 7 months of virtual work, school, and life. In some ways, this new way of living has been normalized, with weddings, the birth of children and grandchildren, and retirements moving forward. However, in many ways, the unique stresses imposed by the COVID-19 global pandemic are magnified with the virtual school, disrupted childcare, illness, and death of friends and family, financial uncertainties. These situations are only compounded by the isolation that comes from being confined to home… or the feeling of never getting away from them.

I want to remind each of you to remember to take care of your physical and emotional health. Take time in each day to walk away from zoom calls, to get outside for fresh air, to find a way to release stress. Recognize and honor the boundary between work and home, something that can be very difficult with remote work arrangements. If you need assistance or someone to talk to, reach out to your manager or to a trusted colleague. UVAFinance’s HR business partner, Gary Helmuth, and UVA employee relations contact, Cori Catto are available as well.

If you are a manager, I ask that you regularly check-in with each person on your team. Make sure that everyone is taking much-needed and well-earned time away from work. 

There are a number of UVA support services, virtual classes, and resources available at no cost to you. Check out these great offerings:

UVA Caregiving Support Services

FEAP Counseling Services

FEAP COVID-19 Support Services

FEAP Social Injustice Support Services

On Demand Fitness and Wellness Class - Wellbeats

UVA IM/Rec Hoo’s Well Health & Fitness Classes (barre, pilates, Zumba, yoga, other)

Mindfulness Resources, including eMLife online mindfulness platform

Contemplative Sciences Center classes (yoga, meditation, t’ai chi)

UVA School of Nursing Compassionate Care Initiative classes (yoga, meditation, t’ai chi)

I hope that you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe. Please reach out directly to me or your manager if there are ways that we can better support you during this continuing challenge.

Thank you for everything you are doing to continue to support the faculty, staff, and students of UVA. We could not be successful without your efforts.

My very highest regards,