Work/Life & Wellness Programs

“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 floundering
• 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®:

• Difficult Conversations During a Time of Unrest Across America (47 minutes)

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 GuidanceNow^SM 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:

• Diversity Newsletters

UNC-Chapel Hill recognizes that available and affordable childcare is important to our faculty, staff and students with children. The Benefit, Leave Administration & Total WellBeing Department provides opportunities for finding the best child care center for your family, information about needs-based subsidies and discounts to local child care centers as well as part-time care and other local resources.

Learn more about Child Care Programs

Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less Online (ESMMWL)

Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less is an online weight management program that uses strategies proven to work for weight loss and maintenance. Each lesson informs, empowers and motivates participants to live mindfully as they make choices about eating and physical activity. Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less is delivered in an interactive real-time format with a live instructor. The program is offered to those interested in eating smart, moving more, and achieving a healthy weight.

Each series is 15-weeks. Act fast, series fill up fast!

Use coupon/voucher code: GNC2024 to participate at no cost.*

*Each weekly session is covered at 100% as a telehealth group nutritional counseling visit. You will be asked to enter your BCBSNC, State Health Plan, subscriber ID#. Your primary insurance provider must be BCBSNC.

Enroll here!  Nutrition Decisions Newsletter

Eat Smart Move More Weigh Less 2 Online (ESMMWL2)

Are you looking to maintain or continue to work toward your goal weight? Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less 2 builds on strategies covered during Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less. Participants who successfully completed Eat Smart, Move More Weigh Less since 2011 are invited to register for this 12-week online program.* Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less  2  consists of 12 classes that meet every week online with a live Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) instructor.

Act fast, series fill up fast!

Use coupon/voucher code: GNC22024 to participate at no cost. **

*Successfully completed is defined as attending at least 10 of the 15 ESMMWL classes since 2011.

** Each weekly session is covered at 100% as a telehealth group nutritional counseling visit. You will be asked to enter your BCBSNC, State Health Plan, subscriber ID#. Your primary insurance provider must be BCBSNC.

Enroll here!

Sign up to receive free Eat Smart Move More newsletters that offer support and motivation to help you to eat smart and move more each step of the way! Newsletters also feature blog posts and a new healthy recipe every month.

Subscribe Now

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.

Learn more about Educational Assistance

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.

Learn more about Elder Care Programs

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.

Learn more about the Emergency Loan Program

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.

Learn more about the EAP

Free On-Demand Fitness Classes

Join Campus Recreation on-demand and stay active anytime and anywhere.  Take a break and enjoy a quick 15-30 minute pre-recorded class now available on YouTube. Classes include:

Core & Strength	Barre & Pilates
Cardio & HIIT	Dance
Yoga & Restore	Seated & Accessible Workouts

View classes

Group Fitness Semester Pass

Employees can now enjoy an unlimited number of group fitness classes held Monday through Friday for the low cost of $40 per semester (prorated 1/2 way through the semester). Classes include Yoga, Barre, Dance, Strength, Core, Pilates, and more! The class schedule is updated regularly.

Contact Becky Eacho at reacho@ad.unc.edu to get your semester pass today!

View classes

Campus Recreation Employee Membership

As a Carolina employee, you have access to low-cost Campus Recreation membership for just $12.50/month (payroll deduction). Members enjoy access to Campus Recreation facilities (Student Recreation Center, Fetzer Hall, Woollen Gym, Rams Head Rec Center, Bowman Gray Indoor Pool, Kessing Outdoor Pool). As a member, you can also enjoy personalized, affordable personal training services at one of Campus Recreation’s facilities. Let certified fitness professionals help you reach your health and wellness goals. Session packages can be purchased in 4,8, 12, 16 or 24 session increments for $32 per one-on-one session or a low startup package fee of $45 that includes an initial consultation and 1 training session.

Learn more

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 more

 

Since 2010, the Miles for Wellness initiative has provided motivational team-based physical activity challenges for the state employees of North Carolina. Miles for Wellness encourages and supports employees to increase their level of physical activity, with the goal of 10,000 steps (or the equivalent of five miles of activity) achieved most days of the week. Increased physical activity helps enhance quality of life by reducing the risk of developing (or managing) a chronic condition such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, strengthening bones and muscles, improving mood and mental health, and more!

Challenges run for eight weeks and are held twice a year, beginning in August/September and then in March. Teams of up to 10 people compete in one of four activity categories: Tortoise, Hare, Super Hare and Bionic Hare for a chance to be recognized as one of the top three performing teams in each category across the state.

Learn more about Miles for Wellness

Mindfulness & Self-Compassion Meditation Sessions

All employees may take advantage of mindfulness meditation sessions provided by the School of Medicine and use these opportunities as dedicate time to self-nurture.  Mindfulness and self-compassion meditations assist with stress reduction, mental flexibility and even resilience. Sessions are offered weekly and are approximately 30 minutes.

• Mondays at 12:15 p.m. led by Jonny Gerkin (Sign up)
  

Inhaling Positivity Mid-Day Meditation

Bring balance to your day with free 15-minute mid-day micro meditation every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 4:45 p.m. These meditation techniques led by UNC’s Meenu Tewari will help you relax, rejuvenate, recharge, and reduce stress. Participate on your computer or mobile app.

Attend via Teams    Sample Session Program Flyer   

Mindful Mondays with Mindful UNC

Mindful UNC is a community of practice that invites UNC affiliates to engage in contemplative practices through community learning gatherings and unique events.  You are invited to participate in free monthly mindfulness sessions the first Monday of each month at 8:30 a.m. Sessions vary among mindfulness, deep listening, meditation and stretching practice and are approximately 15-20 minutes.

Register Here    Learn More

UNC employees who sign-up with The Produce Box receive a free 12-month membership and a $10 credit towards their first order. A $35 savings when you 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.

Learn more ABOUT The Produce Box

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 about Wellness Champions

Your Total WellBeing team collaborates with GuidanceResources to offer wellness webinars led by experts each month. Sessions are 45-60 minutes.  Upcoming sessions are listed below. Click on the session title for details.

Wednesdays starting at noon

• Jan. 10: The Psychology Behind Saving Money and Other Good Financial Habits
• Jan. 17: Breathing Techniques to Relieve Stress and Improve Health
• Jan. 24: Deskercise! Taking Care of Your Body During the Workday
• Feb. 07: 10 Strategies for Improving Finances
• Feb. 14: Learning to Relax
• Feb. 21: Unconscious Bias
  
• March 6: Moving Through Grief and Loss
• March 20: Eating Healthy on a Budget
• April 10: Expecting the Unexpected: How to Think About Potential Crises
• April 17: Improving Memory
• May 01: Laughter, Humor and Play to Reduce Stress
• May 15: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace
• May 22: Paying Off Debt While Building Wealth
• May 29: How to Delegate at Work and in Life

Anytime Learning:

• Emotional Intelligence (55 mins.)
• Managing Staff Through Stressful Situations (50 mins.)
• Unconscious Bias (49 mins.)

Note: Registering for wellness webinars in Carolina Talent will not result in your supervisor being notified.  However, completion of any course on or after October 28, 2020 will appear in your personal development transcript viewable by your first and second level supervisors. If you have any concerns, please contact totalwellbeing@unc.edu.