Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month is celebrated each year in June to mark the occasion of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan.

As we jump into Pride Month celebrations, we want to remind employees about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as a resource for eligible employees (Regular and Contingent II) and members of the employee's household.

LGBTQIA+ employees face a unique set of challenges in the workplace. Your ComPsych Guidance Resources Employee Assistance Program understands this and is available to help, not just at work, but also at home or in your community by encouraging a healthier, happier, and better-educated workforce.

Highlights of the EAP program via ComPsych and Guidance Resources:

• The EAP is available 24/7
• Free Confidential Counseling, up to 5 sessions free!
• Work-Life Solutions
• Legal Support
•  Discounts, i.e. Pet Insurance

There are two ways to access EAP services:

Call 1-855-410-7628 to speak to a counseling professional who will listen to your concerns and can guide you to the appropriate services you require.

OR 

Visit Guidance Resources Online at www.guidanceresources.com and enter our company ID: USMEAP

MSRP/Nationwide webinars are open to all Faculty and Staff. 

Click here to Register. All webinars are approximately 45 minutes in length.

These financial webinars are open to all Faculty and Staff, regardless of your retirement plan or vendor.

Register for TIAA’s live webinars to get financial information, news and tips from their experts. 

Reserve your spot by clicking the registration links below. These webinars are a part of your retirement plan benefits.

Wednesday, 6/11, 12pm to 1pm: Set your retirement date: Understand the factors to get you to your goal.

For anyone starting to think about when to retire, this webinar takes you through steps to deciding when the time is right, including estimating retirement expenses, closing any income gap and understanding key milestones that can impact your retirement finances.

Register for the 6/11 webinar

Thursday, 6/26, 3pm to 4pm: How longevity affects financial planning and family caregiving

Gains in life expectancy over the past 100 years reflect enormous achievements in medicine and public health. But with increased longevity comes longer retirements and the need for more caregiving—and its associated costs. Yet caregiving expenses are rarely a focus of traditional financial planning, putting retirement security at risk.

Register for the 6/26 webinar

Watch out for fake emails with subjects like "Meeting/[your name]" asking to review your pension and UMBC benefits. These are NOT legitimate and are part of a phishing campaign DoIT is tracking.

Key things to remember:

• Check the Sender: Official UMBC HR emails about benefits come from umbc.edu addresses. State emails usually end in .gov. Be suspicious of other senders.
• Don't Click, Don't Reply: If an email about your benefits seems off, avoid clicking links or opening attachments, and do not reply.
• Report Suspicious Emails:
  • Forward the email to security@umbc.edu.
  • If you're unsure about an HR benefits email, you may also contact hrbenefits@umbc.edu directly.

Faculty and Staff can meet in-person with TIAA to discuss their retirement outlook and any questions they may have. 

Please take advantage of this opportunity as it is FREE as part of your total compensation package as a UMBC employee. 

Whether you are just getting started or planning to retire soon - a session with Ms. Jahleel Gordon (TIAA rep) can help you create a plan for your goals. 

You can discuss these questions and more:

• Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?

• Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?

• How do I take income from my retirement account after I stop working?

This post contains information for Faculty and Staff about the resources available to them and their household members through the Guidance Resources Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

May is Mental Health Awareness month! 

When it comes to reaching our health and wellness goals, such as improving sleep, losing weight, quitting smoking or exercising more, building a healthy mindset plays a huge role in our success. 

If you feel like you’re stuck in a bad place mentally and emotionally, a few simple changes may help you break free:

• Take Media breaks
• Make time to unwind
• Take care of your body
• Connect with others

If you feel overwhelmed, reach out. The Employee Assistance Program can help. More information is available on the three attached flyers. 

How to access the EAP?

Phone: call 1-855-410-7628 to speak to a trained, caring clinician who will listen to your concerns and guide you to the appropriate services.

Online: visit the Guidance Resources website at www.guidanceresources.com and use the code: USMEAP

Please note: Guidance Resources, in partnership with ComPsych, provides employees with access to free confidential counseling and connections to attorneys who can help with a variety of issues, including: 

• Family law matters, including divorce, custody, child support and adoption
• Immigration concerns
• Bankruptcy and credit issues
• Landlord/tenant issues, including eviction and lease questions
• Real estate and foreclosure questions
• Wills and living wills

Departments: please post the attached flyers in high traffic areas in your departments.