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
- Police killings and their spillover effects on the mental health of black Americans
- Death by a thousand cuts: The health implications of black respectability politics
Understanding the impact
- Pandemic and killings, the mental health of black people is foundering
- View of maintaining professionalism during unjust death
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:
- Talking to Kids About Race and Racism (46 minutes)
- TED Talk: Is My Skin Brown Because I Drank Chocolate Milk? (13 minutes)
- Social Justice Books
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
Part-time child care can also be obtained through the Helping Heels program.
Learn morePart-time elder care can also be obtained through the Helping Heels program.
Learn moreCampus 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.
Learn moreLunchtime 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 passCampus 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)
Learn moreFree 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
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.
Learn moreTar 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
Learn moreThe 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 2020The 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 moreWellness Wednesday webinars
*Note: Your supervisor will not receive a copy of your email confirmation upon your initial enrollment for these classes.
The current economic climate brings both challenges and opportunities from a financial perspective. You may wonder during these challenging times: “What should I be most careful about” and “What should my family and I work towards?” The 10 financial tips discussed in this workshop will get you on the road to financial wellbeing during challenging times.
Workshop Objectives:
- Identify the most pressing/immediate financial steps to take in your life
- Describe why an emergency fund is an absolute necessity
- Identify how to categorize types of expenses
- Describe your current financial position by putting it on paper
- Describe steps to help you through economic troubles
- Describe how to begin paying down debts
- Identify ways to improve your credit score
- Describe ways to build long-term plans for your financial health
- Describe how to evaluate your insurance coverage
- Identify how to build or refine your retirement plans
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC Work/Life & Wellness
A crisis or traumatic event can be both environmental and personal and are events which can cause physical, emotional, psychological distress or harm. These events are often perceived and experienced as a threat to one’s safety or to the stability of one’s world and the impact can be either on those who have experienced the event first hand or have seen it one television.
Webinar Objectives:
- To recognize the common responses to crises and trauma:
- Physical, emotional, cognitive
- Timing of responses
- Post-trauma do’s and don’ts
- Tips for taking care of yourself following a crisis or traumatic event
- Support
- Communication
- Health and wellness
- How to help children who have experienced a crisis or traumatic event
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC Work/Life & Wellness
Gratitude is a skill anyone can learn as an alternative to regret and fear. We can focus on the positive elements of our lives with a few simple practices. Providing sincere compliments can help us build relationships and be grateful for others. Rather than being grateful because we “ought to,” we can choose gratitude as a way of looking forward to each day.
Webinar Objectives:
- Understand the benefits of gratitude for:
- Building personal resilience
- Improving relationships
- Feeling more in control
- Use gratitude to:
- Discover “how far I’ve come”
- Consider the positive side of negative situations
- Reduce stress
- Use sincere compliments to:
- Encourage positive behavior
- Build relationships
- Create a personal culture of gratitude
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC Work/Life & Wellness
Whether going back to school or changing careers, starting a family or retiring, change brings both opportunities and turmoil. In today’s fast paced world, change has become a constant. Even when we are able to see the advantages of change, it can be hard to say goodbye to what’s changing. This workshop will provide you techniques to deal effectively with change.
Workshop Objectives:
- Describe what’s changing in your life
- Identify the importance of being specific about the changes you’re experiencing
- Describe the reasons people resist change
- Identify areas of resistance that exist in your own life
- Describe the difference between change and transition
- Identify what may happen in each of the three stages of transition
- Describe your action plan for dealing with the changes in your life
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
Somewhere along the way, many of us have replaced our positive self-regard with a critical voice. Like a shadow, it hovers at our side, reminding us of our flaws and our unworthiness. To live a fulfilling, serene, happy life, we must learn to love and accept ourselves, flaws and all. This workshop covers the basics of self-acceptance, factors that contribute to a poor self-image and practical tips for loving yourself unconditionally.
Webinar Objectives:
- Define self-acceptance and its manifestation
- Identify factors that contribute to low self-regard
- Describe how to rekindle self-love
- Describe ways of loving yourself
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
Are money issues causing you to worry and stress? Do you buy items, even if you don’t need them, just because they are on sale and you know you are “saving money?” Do you pay only the minimum balance on your credit cards? Is debt mounting in your life to the point where you don’t know what to do about it? Do you wish you were saving more money? Money is a huge stressor for many people, but it doesn’t have to be. This workshop will help you demystify the numbers and get you living beyond paycheck to paycheck.
Workshop Objectives:
Identify financial warning signs
- Describe the signs which suggest that you might need to change your financial habits
- Identify the dangers associated with ignoring the signs
Create a budget
- Recognize the value of maintaining a budget
- Identify the items you’ll need to gather in order to create your budget
- Describe how to use the budget template provided in the course materials
Identify good credit behaviors
- Describe the importance of a good credit score
- Identify the factors that make up your credit score
- List methods you can use to improve your credit
Identify practical savings tips
- Describe how to include savings as part of your budget
- Describe methods for reducing your debt
- Share practical techniques for saving money
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
The idea of mindfulness or being mindful is complete engagement in the present moment. It is a state where you are not thinking, reflecting, judging or deciding, but are instead simply experiencing the things currently in your available experience. In many ways people are largely unaware of our present moment, and often operate on “auto-pilot” to some degree. The auto-pilot mode is our default mode of operation.
Even when we find ourselves in a pleasurable quiet moment we automatically begin to daydream about others, plan/worry about the future or ruminate about the past. We miss living in the present moment because we fail to pay attention to it. Mindfulness is about waking up to the present moment and paying attention to our experience. Learning mindfulness is not difficult; however, it is difficult to remember to do it. This training discusses mindfulness and how to incorporate its practice into your life.
Workshop Objectives:
- Describe mindfulness
- Identify the two ways we experience the world
- Identify the seven components of mindfulness
- Describe the benefits developing mindfulness
- Describe how greater mindfulness results in improved concentration on tasks
- Describe the ways in which mindfulness can improve the quality of your relationships
- Describe how mindfulness will result in greater emotional control and a reduction in impulsive actions
- Identify ways of practicing mindfulness in your life
- Identify several methods of mindfulness practice
- Identify ways you can incorporate mindfulness in everyday activities
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
Today’s diverse society makes it difficult to describe a typical family situation or define what characteristics make a “perfect parent.” Culture, values, beliefs, emotional disposition and the environment in which a person was raised all influence parenting techniques. In an effort to be perfect, new parents will frequently try too hard to protect their child from any adverse experiences or go to great lengths in an attempt to please their children. This type of well-intended “perfect parenting” can lead to unanticipated problems. This webinar will address these problems and suggest ways to let go of perfection and seek a balanced parenting approach.
Webinar Objectives:
- Identify the myths associated with being a “perfect parent”
- Identify the dangers associated with “helicopter” parenting
- Describe the distinction between “perfect” and “good enough” parenting
- Describe how “good enough” parenting fosters independence and self-confidence in children
- Identify the factors which affect your parenting styleRecognize the impact of anxiety and competition on your parenting
- Identify the relationship between your own childhood experiences and your present parenting style
- Identify positive communication skills and conflict resolution techniques associated with effective parenting
- Describe the use of “Positive Discipline”
- Describe how “I messages” impact communication
- Identify the importance of appropriate role modeling
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
Do you let negative thoughts impact your whole day? Maybe you had thoughts like, “I’m such a jerk,” or, “All we do is fight”, after fighting with a significant other. Statements like these are common reactions to scenarios in our lives, but they are inaccurate and distort the way we see ourselves and the world around us.
This session will examine the 10 Cognitive Distortions and how they affect our mood and create faulty beliefs. Through examining these distortions, you will be able to identify ways to challenge negative thoughts and limit the impact they have on our lives.
Workshop Objectives:
- Identify negative thinking through the lens of the 10 Cognitive Distortions
- Identify when you are engaging in distorted thinking
- Engage in practical exercises to help combat negative thinking
- Gain a better understanding of how to limit our negative thoughts
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
In difficult economic times, many people are struggling to just keep up with monthly bills, let alone make progress on debt repayment. What suffers most is contributing to savings and investing goals. This session will focus on developing financial plans and strategies to address the dual goals of having a plan for paying off debt, while also contributing to building personal wealth.
This session covers the basics (or essentials) of each area and describes practical techniques that can help you to formulate your own plan to manage your personal finances to organize a sensible debt repayment plan without sacrificing other financial goals.
Workshop Objectives:
- Recognize the importance of a practical debt repayment strategy
- Understand the importance of setting and tracking short- and long-term financial goals
- Learn how to set milestones to address debt repayment and savings
- Be able to prioritize most effective use of disposable income
- Differentiate between saving and investing and when each makes sense
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
Certain individuals appear to succeed against all odds. Despite severe hardships such as living through war, witnessing the death of a loved one, having a chronic illness, being a victim of abuse or dealing with unemployment, certain people not only adapt but actually thrive. These people possess a quality known as “resilience.” This webinar will examine the characteristics of resilience and discover ways to introduce greater resilience into our lives.
Webinar Objectives:
Describe what resilience really is
- Describe the concept of resilience as it relates to children and adults
- Describe the characteristics of resilient people
- Describe how emotional control, self-awareness and strong relationships relate to resiliency
Identify your own resilient capacities
- Identify you unique resilient strengths and areas for development
- Recognize which situations are most stressful
Describe resilience building strategies
- Describe techniques to enhance resilience through changing your perception, taking decisive action and engaging in appropriate self-care.
Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
Longer hours, increased responsibilities, constant change, accelerated pace of business, intensified pressure…But this doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and enjoy your work. This workshop will help you not only to survive but also thrive in today’s high-pressure world. By unleashing your energy, igniting your enthusiasm and finding fun in your job, you’re sure to maximize your work performance and even enjoy it!
Workshop Objectives:
- Understand what causes fluctuations in energy level
- Identify how to change what causes the stress that lowers your energy
- Identify how to change your mind set about stress and your energy level
- Understand three keys to raising your energy level
- Learn how to add commitment, challenge, and control to your life
- Recognize the characteristics of your energy zones
- Identify the high energy and anxiety zones
- Identify ways to add fun to your workday
Date: Monday, December 7, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
It is summertime, and school is out! For many people, summer conjures images of lazy, relaxing days at the beach. However, for many working families, summer brings the challenges of balancing the demands of adult work schedules with the desire to provide safe, fun activities for children. This webinar offers several ideas on summer activities and provides practical suggestions on how to keep your kids safe while you’re at work.
Webinar Objectives:
Identify the opportunities and challenges associated with summer time
- Describe how to involve your child in fun educational activities
- Identify the importance of setting expectations regarding summer plans and scheduling
- Identify ways to increase cooperation and encourage problem solving around free time planning
Identify summer safety plans
- Describe simple safety guidelines for keeping your children safe while you are at work, on the playground, biking and in the pool
- Identify simple first aid measures such as sunburn prevention and treatment
- Describe how to increase your child’s ability to take on additional responsibilities around the home
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Time: 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
We can do anything we set our minds to. But sometimes it can feel like our brains are working against us when it comes to achieving our goals. Plans to learn a new skill, to get in shape or to save money keep getting pushed back in the hopes that the Future You will handle it “someday.”
Your attitude and beliefs about your likelihood of success can predict whether or not you actually succeed. If you actively keep your internal motivation high, you can significantly increase the likelihood of achieving your hopes, dreams and visions of your future.
Webinar Objectives:
- Define what self-motivation is
- Understand four factors that contribute to self-motivation
- Learn how to keep self-motivation going
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
All aspects of work and life require stress—everyone experiences it. Experiencing stress is not all bad, but how we perceive stress is what’s important. Stress is our body’s normal response to any extra physical, mental or emotional demand we place on it. This workshop will help you to understand more about stress, identify your stressors and learn ways to cope with and manage high stress levels.
Workshop Objectives:
Describe what stress really is
- Describe how stress affects your body
- Describe how stress affects cognitive, emotional and behavioral aspects of life
- Distinguish between positive and negative stress
Identify ways to manage your stress
- List the three keys to managing stress
- Describe how you can determine what is causing you stress
- Describe how to get control of your stressors
Describe stress coping techniques
- Describe techniques to help you cope with short-term stress
- Describe techniques to help you cope with longer-term stress
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
As adults we face life issues (medical and mental health concerns, divorce, death and dying, financial difficulties, etc.) that often affect our families. As parents, it’s important that we communicate what’s happening to our children in a way that provides comfort and support. Sometimes knowing what to say, or how much to say, can be a roadblock. Parents sometimes want to protect their children by keeping information hidden or secret; however, kids are smart and can sense when something is different. This can lead to frustration or fear on the part of the child.
This training will look at various issues families face and techniques for communicating the situation to our children in a healthy manner.
Webinar Objectives:
- Recognize the impact various life issues have on children
- Know what details to share with your child and what should be kept private
- Communicate issues affecting the family in a way that strengthens your child
- Relate to your child in a way that helps them develop empathy and understanding
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
Many people still believe that the emotional symptoms caused by depression are “not real,” and that a person should be able to shake off the symptoms. Because of these inaccurate beliefs, people with depression either may not recognize that they have a treatable disorder or may be discouraged from seeking or staying on treatment due to feelings of shame and stigma. As a result, many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the vast majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment. Intensive research into the illness has resulted in the development of medications, psychotherapies, and other methods to treat people with this disabling disorder. This workshop will identify the symptoms associated with depression, possible causes and treatments.
Workshop Objectives:
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of depression
- Recognize how depression impacts work performance
- Identify possible causes of depression
- Describe treatment options for depression
- Identify ways of reducing the risk for depression
- Describe ways of helping family and friends who may have depression
Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
Guided imagery helps people mentally focus on pleasant images that encourage feelings of relaxation, utilizing the connection between body and mind. A person can call on mental images to improve emotional health. This webinar looks at how guided imagery can help with stress and mental well-being. It also includes a pair of guided imagery experiences.
Webinar Objectives:
- Know what guided imagery is
- Understand the benefits of guided imagery
- Be familiar with different types of guided imagery
- Experience a brief visualization session and a brief guided meditation session
Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Time: 3 – 3:45 p.m.
Location: Online
Sponsored by UNC OHR Work-Life & Wellness
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: