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Work/Life & Wellness Programs

As part of our ongoing commitment to the health and wellness of employees, the University offers a variety of programs focused on healthy lifestyles and balancing the responsibilities of work and personal life.

“It is not enough to say that all voices are welcomed here, but rather, we must acknowledge that our success depends on the active contributions and expressions of a full and diverse community from all backgrounds and walks of life. We recognize that to fully contribute, you all must feel safe—both on campus and off.”
– Becci Menghini, Ed.D., Vice Chancellor, Human Resources and Equal Opportunity and Compliance

Understanding the problem

Understanding the impact

How you can help

Resources for Managers from the Management Center:

  • How to Talk About What’s Going On with your Team
  • How to Offer Support as a Manager
  • How to Use Team Time
  • What to do at the Leadership Level

ComPsych® GuidanceResources®:

Lynda Learning: Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging for All

  • Unconscious Bias (24 minutes)
  • Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (47 minutes)
  • Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences (40 minutes)
  • Skills for Inclusive Conversations (53 minutes)
  • Communicating about Culturally Sensitive Issues (55 minutes)
  • Communicating Across Cultures (33 minutes)
  • Bystander Training: From Bystander to Upstander (41 minutes)

Resources to educate children:

Where to go for support

  • The University Ombuds Office: A confidential, informal, impartial, and independent place to discuss concerns, no matter how large or small. Call 919-849-8204 or email ombuds@unc.edu to schedule a phone or video conference appointment.
  • GuidanceResources (Employees Assistance Program): As a UNC employee, you can receive three free counseling sessions per issue, per year, in-person or over the phone.

Call 877-314-5841 (TTY: 800-697-0353) or browse the many helpful tools online at guidanceresources.com. Use Web ID: TARHEELS to sign up.  Not by a computer? Download the free GuidanceNowSM app to access these great resources from the palm your hand.

  • File a formal complaint with the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office at eoc.unc.edu or call 919-966-3576.

Additional Resources:

  • #YourVoiceMatters – The Universtiy Office for Diversity and Inclusion seeks to unite our Carolina community through a shared space for anonymous expression, feelings and resources for action regarding the events happening in our country.
  • Diversity Newsletters

UNC-Chapel Hill recognizes that offering childcare is an important benefit to our faculty, staff and students with children. The Benefit Services Department can advise you about childcare options and resources available to employees.

Part-time child care can also be obtained through the Helping Heels program.

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The University offers multiple educational programs for employees and their families. Our Educational Assistance Program is for workforce planning and development. It provides a tool for managers and employees to support academic activities that directly relate to the organization’s identified knowledge, skills, and behaviors (organizational competencies), and which support the mission, vision, and values of the organization. We also offer tuition and fee waivers for employees and their families to take courses at UNC institutions.

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Growing numbers of people find themselves caring for a parent, spouse, or other adult family member. Providing care for another adult is complex and presents a variety of challenges including managing another person’s health, medical care, legal and financial responsibilities as well as taking care of one’s self, relationships and work responsibilities. There are resources and services available at the University, in the community, and through government programs that can help you with the challenges of family caregiving.

Part-time elder care can also be obtained through the Helping Heels program.

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The Emergency Loan Program was established to provide University employees with an alternative to borrow money for short-term emergency situations. There may be occasions when emergency circumstances, defined as unforeseen, unplanned and unavoidable events, demand immediate attention and require an employee to secure funds on short notice.

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From financial pressures to workplace stress and family dealings, life can be challenging. If you need help with life issues, the UNC-Chapel Hill Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available. The EAP is a confidential counseling and resource program that is designed to help University employees and their families deal with both personal and work-related concerns.

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Campus Recreation Trial Membership

Campus Recreation offers a free one-week trial membership to permanent employees of the University and UNC Hospitals. It is not available to family members (spouse/partner or children) of University or UNC Hospitals employees. Please submit a trial membership request form if interested.

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Lunchtime Class Pass

Not a current Campus Recreation Member, but interested in attending classes? No problem! You can enjoy unlimited Group Fitness Classes Monday-Friday from 12:15-2 p.m. for the cost of $30 per semester ($20 for summer session).

View class schedule Learn more & purchase pass

Campus Recreation Employee Membership

For the low cost of $12.50 a month, UNC employees can enjoy access to Campus Recreation facilities (Fetzer Hall, Woollen Gym, Rams Head Rec Center, Bowman Gray Indoor Pool, Kessing Outdoor Pool)

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Free Mindful Yoga

Mindful yoga combines breathing techniques and gentle stretching to alleviate stress, anxiety and reduce chronic pain and blood pressure.

When: Wednesdays, 12:15 -1 p.m.
Location: Rams Head Rec Center

Free Personal Training

Participate in Campus Recreation’s Mock Client Personal Training Program. This program is designed to give students who are currently training to become Certified Personal Trainers the experience working with a client.

Additional details and participation criteria:

  • All Mock Clients will receive three training sessions plus one initial consultation with their trainer
  • All Mock Clients will need to be available for training during normal business hours (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.) Monday through Friday
  • All training will occur at either the Student Recreation Center or Rams Head Recreation Center
  • All Mock Clients should be in good health, with no major medical concerns that could affect their ability to train

This program is on a first come, first serve basis!  If you are interested in participating, please fill out the Mock Client Interest Form.

Newbie Nights at the Rams Head Climbing Wall

If you’d like to try climbing but you’re not ready to make the commitment – now is your time. Whether it’s just you and a couple of friends or a whole herd, you can come in and try out the sport.

When: Monthly | 8-11 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Rams Head Rec Center

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Fun Runs: Spring Fling & Jingle Bell Jog

Campus Rec hosts two annual employee-only fun runs, Spring Fling and Jingle Bell Jog. Held on the first Friday in May and December, these social events attract hundreds of employees to get out and be active in a 2.7-mile fun run or 1.5-mile walk.  The event promotes physical activity, health and well-being and provides employees with the opportunity to give back to their local community. Costumes encouraged, but not required.

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Tar Heel Bikes

Getting around UNC made easy! Tar Heel Bike sharing launched in October 2017. It provides students, faculty and staff a convenient and cost effective way to get around without the maintenance. There are 100 Tar Heel Bikes are located at bike share hubs throughout campus.

For more information email: tarheelbikes@thegotchagroup.com

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The Helping Heels list is a directory of individuals affiliated with the university who offer childcare, elder care or pet sitting services. The Spring 2020 edition is now available.

Helping Heels: Spring 2020

UNC employees who sign-up with The Produce Box receive a free 12-month enrollment. ($20 Savings) when they enroll through Blue365, your health and wellness savings program provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Enjoy the convenience of fresh fruits and veggies from The Produce Box hand-delivered at your workplace or home.

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WW (formerly Weight Watchers) has a new program, myWW, personalized just for you! Your program will now be behavior-based to take into consideration your food preferences, activity level, lifestyle and approach to weigh loss. Based on these factors you will be matched with an eating program that fits you best- Green, Blue or Purple. Each program has its own unique balance of SmartPoints and ZeroPoint™ foods.

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The Department of Work/Life & Wellness, within the Office of Human Resources, is committed to enhancing opportunities for employees to achieve Total WellBeing for their head, heart, and heels. The Wellness Champions program was designed to provide resources, tools and trainings to employees to succeed at creating a greater culture of health throughout Carolina.

Learn more

Resources

Additional University centers and offices that engage in advocacy for change in University policy and help to promote and strengthen campus and community partnerships: