Post Parental Leave Employee Resource Group: How to Talk to your Supervisor and Coworkers about your Needs Regarding your Return to Work

Date: Thu, 02/09/2023 | Time: 12-1pm | Location: Virtual – Zoom

Event Description

During your return to work after the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child, you will likely have additional needs and concerns regarding many aspects of your work schedule, environment, and routine. The truth is, you’re returning to work as a parent/caregiver with different responsibilities than when you left, and that’s OK. During this 3rd session of the Post Parental Leave Employee Resource Group, meet with the members of the WorkLife Office to discuss the best ways to keep open lines of communication with your supervisor and coworkers, set boundaries, as well as advocate for yourself as a new parent/caregiver in the workplace.

Learning Objectives

More details to come!

About the Speakers:

Headshot of Jaimie HutchisonJaimie Hutchison: Director

Jaimie Hutchison is the Director of the WorkLife Office at Michigan State University, supporting MSU’s recruitment and retention of a high performing workforce and the wellbeing of a diverse community of staff and scholars. Jaimie and her team contribute to the development of MSU’s policies and special initiatives, and the office oversees MSU’s University-wide work-life strategies. The office administers a range of programs for faculty, staff, academic staff, and postdocs, including those focused on mental health, workplace flexibility, dependent care, family support, workplace culture, career development, leadership, and workplace-based well-being. Jaimie has worked for 24 years as a leader, therapist, consultant, director, supervisor, trainer, mentor, and administrator. In addition to her work-life role, she is also a therapist at Insight Counseling working primarily with tweens, teens, and families. Jaimie is highly engaged with the local community and has volunteered over 10,000 hours.

Jaimie received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University, her master’s degree in community counseling from the University of Northern Colorado, and a post-master’s certificate in school counseling from Eastern Michigan University. Jaimie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Michigan. Jaimie and her family are proud Spartans and enjoy the diverse events and activities that MSU and the Greater Lansing area have to offer. Jaimie is the mother of one teen and has been married to her spouse, Wayne (also a Spartan), for 24 years.

Jaimie is currently serving a three-year term for the College and University Work-Life-Family Association (CUFWA) Board of Directors. Jaimie also co-chairs the Membership Engagement Committee with Lourdes Rodrigues, Manager of Childcare and Family Resources, Life & Work Connections at the University of Arizona. Jaimie’s interests in her role on the CUFWA Board include membership engagement, leading initiatives to promote personal and workplace well-being, and being part of a vibrant, knowledgeable team in efforts to move our institutions forward by being leaders and innovators in the work-life industry.

Rachel Perez smilingRachel Perez: WorkLife Consultant

Rachel Perez is a WorkLife Consultant for the WorkLife Office at Michigan State University (MSU). She brings nine years of Human Resources experience as well as a bachelor’s degree from MSU’s Eli Broad College of Business. Rachel has served as an HR Coordinator and an Assistant Health & Safety Coordinator for the Student Life & Engagement division. In these positions, her teams benefited greatly from her project management and program coordination experience. As an HR Generalist for the MSU HR Solutions Center, she was able to advocate for faculty and staff members throughout the processes of hiring, benefits enrollment, and training, while considering their emotional and cultural needs as they begin a transition in their career. 

Rachel has a passion for working with MSU’s diverse faculty, staff, and students. Serving as a resource to our diverse communities has given her great pride in her work at MSU as well as when she began her career as an Enrollment Counselor at the University of Phoenix. In this position, she guided students through the process of enrollment, major designation, financial planning, and all major changes in their educational paths. Fostering MSU’s values of inclusiveness and equity, Rachel has proudly served as a Project Manager for MSU’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee as well as a member of the DEI Advisory Board for Student Life & Engagement. She is a certified CPR/AED trainer and is trained in workplace violence prevention through the Crisis Prevention Institute.

Furthering her education, Rachel is currently enrolled into the Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations through MSU’s College of Social Science. She looks forward to utilizing her education and experience to support our faculty and staff towards their wellbeing at work and in their personal lives. Rachel also has a limited working proficiency in Spanish speaking skills that she brings to the team.

Rachel is a mother of 3 children and is married to an MSU Spartan as well, go green! In her free time, she stays active as a Zumba Instructor through MSU’s Recreational Sports and Fitness Services department. She also enjoys playing volleyball, running, and outdoor activities including hiking, camping, and spending time at the beach.