The University again wins top honor in Healthy Arizona Worksites awards
The University was one of only 56 organizations to receive a platinum award. In order to be recognized with a platinum-level award, the highest honor given, an organization must provide integrated worksite wellness offerings and engage in data-driven programming and cross-sector collaborations that benefit the broader community.
The University is one of only 56 organizations statewide to receive platinum level recognition.
Helena A. Rodrigues, vice president and chief human resources officer
For the second year in a row, the University of Arizona has received a platinum award from the Healthy Arizona Worksites Program.
The program is a public health initiative developed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
The University was one of only 56 organizations to receive a platinum award. In order to be recognized with the award, the highest honor given, an organization must provide integrated worksite wellness offerings and engage in data-driven programming and cross-sector collaborations that benefit the broader community.
Reaching that threshold is especially noteworthy given that the past year was disrupted by a global pandemic.
Life & Work Connections greatly expanded its digital offerings for employees with presentations on timely topics, such as building resilience and coping skills. There also were offering for parents who needed guidance and tips to manage their children's remote learning. Meanwhile, Health Sciences implemented Wellness Wednesdays: A Community Connection, interactive lunchtime webinars that tapped the expertise of University employees to address a range of wellness topics, from container gardening to sleeping well. Recorded sessions are available on YouTube, and live sessions are scheduled to resume in the fall.
The University also played a direct leadership role in the pandemic response for employees as well as the broader Arizona community. University scientists developed a COVID-19 antibody test, which continues to be available to all employees as part of a clinical trial, and supplied test kits to the Arizona Department of Health Services for use statewide.
Many of the efforts build on existing health and wellness initiatives managed by a variety of units, including Campus Health, Campus Recreation, the Disability Resource Center, Life & Work Connections, Occupational Health, Risk Management and others. The DRC offers guidance for inclusive and accessible workplace practices while Risk Management offers worksite health and safety consultations. Cooperative Extension's Diabetes Prevention Program continues to expand its reach, and the Childcare Choice employee reimbursement program for qualified child care expenses puts more than $1 million back into the state economy each year.
"Our wellness programming continuously grows as we identify new ways to strengthen our employee community's physical and mental health and family life," said Helena A. Rodrigues, vice president and chief human resources officer. "The pandemic highlighted many things we already did well, but it also created opportunities to be better and launch new initiatives. I'm proud that we're engaging in and facilitating more conversations about team culture, employee engagement and affirmations, boundaries and burnout prevention, creating caregiver friendly environments and more."
The recognition is the third workplace recognition received this year. In April, Forbes named the University one of the best employers for diversity (one of only five employers headquartered in Arizona to be named) and, in February, Forbes named the University one of the best large employers in America.
Learn more about employee health and wellness services on the Life & Work Connections website.