"If there's one thing that I hope people took away from today's panel discussion, it's that there are many resources that people can tap into in dealing with these challenging times," said Lynette Chappell-Williams, director of the Office for Workforce Diversity, Equity and Life Quality (WDELQ).

The April 7 panel discussion, "Supporting Our Workforce During Challenging Economic Times," in the Biotechnology Building was co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau and WDELQ. The event featured three panelists: Grace Protos, regional administrator for Region 2 of the labor department's Women's Bureau; Mickey McCabe, licensed clinical social worker from Johnson City, N.Y.; and Val Sherwood, branch manager for the Binghamton office of Consumer Credit Counseling Services. More than 100 participants, many from outside the university, attended the 90-minute session.

Each panelist addressed different ways managers can help employees handle current financial and emotional challenges.

Protos discussed how supervisors can use flexible-work arrangements to advantage. Stressing that flexibility is not an accommodation or a perquisite, but a solid business practice, she pointed to numerous studies that demonstrate that flexible work arrangements reduce absenteeism and increase productivity. Surveys also have shown that managers often are willing to leave their current position if they are unable to meet their child- and elder-care obligations.

Addressing the emotional toll that workers are experiencing, McCabe provided examples of how managers can help employees focus on the positive. Her own office, for example, instituted a "Laughing Lunch Hour," where only positive news or humorous anecdotes could be shared. Anything that energizes people and brings them together will help move them beyond negativity and isolation, she said. "These are hard times, and they will not end soon, but they will end. This is not the time to go solo; this is the time to connect," McCabe concluded.

Sherwood noted that Cornell has contracted with Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Central New York to come to campus two Mondays each month for individual appointments with Cornell staff and faculty members and to hold financial counseling sessions over the phone. A CCCS counselor will review an employee's income, expenses and debt, and help create a plan to achieve financial goals. CCCS counselors also offer alternatives for handling a financial crisis and tips on money management (such as know your financial situation, pay your bills on time and distinguish between wants and needs). CCCS is already booked fully for the next three Mondays. To make an appointment to speak with a counselor, call 800-479-6026.

Referring to Cornell's workforce situation, Vice President for Human Resources Mary Opperman noted that the university has tried to take actions that are consistent with its stated principles of caring, respect and dignity. These include offering the Hardship Fund when the Salary Improvement Program was suspended for 2009-10; assigning case managers to laid-off employees; and offering the Staff Phased Retirement Program and the Staff Retirement Incentive program to staff over age 55 with more than 10 years of service. She also highlighted the Web site, Cornell's Caring Community, http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/caringCommunity, as a resource to address the emotional and psychological wellbeing of staff members who are leaving the university and those who remain.

"It's harder to be a good employer in lean times, but we are doing our best to act consistently with our principles," she said.