January 2019 – July 2022
Changing Zoom backgrounds is one way to build community by sharing your interests, but be aware that not all images are appropriate in a work setting. Do not choose violent or other potentially offensive content to ensure everyone remains psychologically safe. https://socialmedia.lbl.gov/lbnl-zoom-backgrounds/
Join your colleagues for a virtual town hall with senior leaders today at 1:30 p.m. for a discussion of how the Lab is supporting COVID-19 research and how the Lab will transition through phases to full operations. Log on with your Lab credentials. Go to streaming.lbl.gov. https://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=NXZvcTFzNDlvcmxuNmlkbGg1aWNsMHBnbTAgbGJsLmdvdl80czRycmcxMmw2ZXFnNm5jbWMya3QwdmNnZ0Bn&ctz=America/Los_Angeles
Although few people are on Berkeley Lab’s main site, the trees, shrubs, grass, and weeds continue to grow, which pose a danger as wildfire season nears. That keeps Berkeley Lab landscaper Tien Huynh and his co-workers busy. Read more about their essential work. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/04/11/on-site-superstar-tien-huynh-and-the-groundskeeping-team/
While dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging enough, an increase in xenophobic and anti-Chinese/Asian sentiment has made living in the age of the coronavirus even more difficult for some in our community. Join an April 22 discussion on how to understand and combat these behaviors. https://diversity.lbl.gov/2020/04/08/panel-event-countering-xenophobia-and-discrimination-during-covid-19-april-22-2020/
The Lab is part of a multi-laboratory working group that received DOE funds to conduct R&D to help improve the nation’s COVID-19 testing capabilities. The research involves eight DOE national labs over the next six months. There are five teams; three of them are headed up by Lab scientists. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/04/15/berkeley-lab-to-conduct-rd-to-improve-the-nations-covid-19-testing-capabilities/
What is it like when the Lab’s main site is nearly empty? Not surprisingly, it is quiet, with wildlife stepping in to fill the void. Meet the Lab’s new fawn and see the turkeys strut their stuff in this exclusive video from Lab videographer Marilyn Sargent. Feel free to share on social media. https://vimeo.com/406337607/e0eb079deb
The Lab has a new process, “Guiding Principles & Response Actions for Employee Safety and for Communicating Essential Information During Coronavirus Pandemic,” to help us respond quickly and communicate clearly and transparently when new suspected cases arise. Read it here. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UiLJqKzGZoBAVoU90BsAX5vPBK1J3ocL
As we approach a month of this new way of living and working, Lab Director Mike Witherell used a short video to express his pride in the people of the Lab for the way they’ve handled this historic disruption to our work lives and personal lives. https://youtu.be/73u7A8o1YIE
Fostering and sustaining an inclusive team culture is an important underpinning of Berkeley Lab’s IDEA strategy. Virtual teams (or teams with remote employees) are no exception. Join us on April 15 at 1 p.m. to talk about the new remote work environment and culture we’re all experiencing right now. https://diversity.lbl.gov/2020/04/09/idea-brown-bag-zoom-virtual-teams-april-15-2020/
Challenged to maintain personal boundaries with family and roommates while sheltering in place and setting professional boundaries between work and home? Join counselor Leslie Bell, Employee Assistance Program, on Wednesday, April 15 at noon, to learn to value your own needs and set limits. https://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=NDhzOHM1N3Vsb29ma2E1aTZxMm1ibjdncDggbGJsLmdvdl80czRycmcxMmw2ZXFnNm5jbWMya3QwdmNnZ0Bn&ctz=America/Los_Angeles