"Employee Assistance Program" Archive

Wellbeing resources for faculty and staff

This message was emailed to faculty and staff on behalf of James Raper, Assistant Vice President, Health & Wellbeing, on April 9 by Communications and External Relations:

Dear Wake Forest faculty and staff colleagues,

I am writing on behalf of the university’s Health & Wellbeing Team in hopes of virtually connecting with you to highlight strategies and resources that might be useful.

In these unprecedented times, we have heard from colleagues across campus that both uncertainty and increasing responsibilities have created understandable stress and anxiety.  All of us on the Health & Wellbeing Team resonate with that as well. Whether you’re taking care of sick family members, live by yourself, are coworking with a partner at home, or are looking after children or other loved ones, staying at home right now can be difficult as we also try to manage the day to day tasks of our work. Nevertheless, it has never been more important to invest regularly in our own wellbeing.

Below are a few wellbeing practices that might be helpful. Some may be a familiar reminder, while others completely new.  Above all, however you choose to practice wellbeing, be kind to yourself.  Trying new things can be great and surprising, but can also sometimes feel like “too much.” A few moments of breathing, laughing, or connecting with someone can be more than enough.

  • Maintain a daily routine. Keep yourself to a schedule, especially when it comes to the beginning and the end of the day: Commit to your routine; Take scheduled breaks; Move to a separate area or go outside; Step away from email and screens when engaged in other activities (eating lunch, walking, etc.).
  • Move more move often. Just had lunch? Fight the urge to slump in front of the laptop or desktop monitor and instead go for a post-lunch walk. If you frequently take phone calls, this is a great chance to walk around. Participate in Campus Recreation’s free national #RecMovement challenge.
  • Create and sustain a community. This one is crucial, and like many of our other suggestions, the practice of community varies widely among us – and that’s ok!  Developing community can start simply by listening with intention to ourselves and to others. Show up for one another. Listen deeply and with empathy.  Be intentional about turning on your camera during at least some of your virtual meetings.
  • Set boundaries. Paying attention to our boundaries is crucial in practicing having healthier relationships with ourselves and with others.  Boundaries can be about physical setting, time, and other personal needs. They also involve two steps: being aware of our own boundary needs, and then acknowledging them/articulating them when needed. A great example might be asking for less traditional meeting times to take into account the complex in-home demands we might be experiencing.  While all boundaries can’t be accommodated all the time, when expressed directly and with openness, simply the act of saying them can be helpful.
  • Practice gratitude. Gratitude practice isn’t rainbows and unicorns (unless you’re really grateful for those things right now, then go for it!).  It’s simply about pausing in a particular moment, noticing ourselves and our lives and acknowledging what we do Start with thinking of two things you’re grateful for each day.  Maybe even be a little vulnerable and call/chat/text someone for whom you’re grateful.  Notice the life that continues to bloom all around us. You can create a gratitude journal or share them publicly on a gratitude application like the Gratitude Circle.
  • Know when to log off. While staying aware of developments, do not let the

COVID-19 chaos and uncertainty govern you.  If you find yourself “sucked in” to the events of the day, take a step back to disconnect from technology (and reconnect with yourself). Though you may receive emails and chat notifications at any hour, it’s important to develop a habit of setting a time when you officially “log off” for the night.

  • Set a sleep schedule. Sleep deprivation is real and has short-term and long-term ramifications, so get rest and sleep. In times of heightened stress, sleep becomes even more criticalAim to get around seven-to-eight hours of sleep a night to ensure you have enough energy the following day.

Below are a few wellbeing tools specific to our staff and faculty:

  • Employee Assistance Program. Are you feeling overwhelmed and experiencing higher than normal levels of anxiety?  Concerned about your self-medication or increased level of alcohol use? Consider reaching out to the confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP now offers telephonic counseling on topics such as anxiety and depression by calling (336) 716-5493. Medical plan participants can also call (800) 475-7900 or visit the Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA) website to connect with in-network providers specializing in behavioral health and substance abuse issues.
  • Relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques (including mindfulness, yoga, breathing exercises) can help reduce tension and stress and increase feelings of wellbeing. Consider registering for Koru’s Un-Course in partnership with MindfulWake, or joining The Women’s Center for their Wake Up series featuring a 30-minute self-care practice every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Eastern.
  • Free virtual wellbeing coaching. These 30-minute drop-in sessions can help those who are looking to overcome new obstacles, get support to build a home routine, enhance self-care practices, or develop short-term goals for personal success and holistic wellbeing.
  • Practice eating with intention. Have you noticed changes in your eating routine while being at home?  Being kind to ourselves around eating and food is always important, and that’s particularly true during times of crisis and challenge.  When you are able, eat foods that make you and your body feel good – that give you energy and are satisfying – remembering that there are no “bad” foods.  In addition, faculty and staff enrolled in the Wake Forest medical plan may take advantage of free one-on-one consultations with Registered Dietitian, Christie Hunter.
  • Free educational resources for children. Parents and caregivers, are you trying to manage the very difficult task of working from home with your children? Looking for educational activities to keep your children busy? Check out the Office of Civic and Community Engagement’s YouTube channel which provides educational content with programs like Wake Reads, STEM @ Wake, and Kids Cooking Demonstrations.
  • Virtually connect with other working families at Wake. The Women’s Center has a Google Group listserv where parents and caregivers can ask for help and offer one another encouragement, support and mutual aid.  To join, email: womenscenter@wfu.edu
  • Deepening Our Spiritual Practices. During this time of extraordinary disruption and uncertainty, the Office of the Chaplain encourages you to use the coming days as an opportunity to deepen our spiritual and mindfulness practices. If we strive to transform our collective isolation into an opportunity for communal stillness and reflection, we might discover that it is, as it has always been, the seedbed for growth in present-moment living, for communion and connection, for resilience and renewal.
  • For more ways to practice wellbeing, check out Thrive Remotely.

Remember you’re not alone – we’re in this together.  Reach out if we can be of service or support.

With deep gratitude,

Dr. James Raper
Assistant Vice President, Health & Wellbeing

A message from Human Resources regarding COVID-19

Carmen Canales, vice president and chief human resources officer, emailed this message to faculty and staff on March 23:

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

As new developments about the COVID-19 pandemic emerge, questions continue to arise about a variety of benefits and other considerations. Below, please find several pertinent updates:

COVID-19 Tests: 

The Medical Plan covers the cost of COVID-19 tests in full, and the latest BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Coronavirus information is available on the BCBSNC website. Medical Plan coverage will continue for enrolled and actively employed individuals, even if they are not working any hours, until further notice.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, have undergone testing for the virus, or have tested positive, inform Human Resources as soon as possible by contacting Melissa Clodfelter at clodfem@wfu.edu or (336) 758-3079. We will work with the Department of Public Health and the Wake Forest Student Health Service to determine the best course of action. You must work remotely or stay at home until you have been contacted by HR or your supervisor.

Essential Employees:

Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety are maintaining a complete list of all essential employees that are required to be on campus due to the critical nature of the services they provide. All supervisors with essential employees who have not already communicated this information to HR or EHS should complete the Essential Employees form immediately. Updates to the list should also be provided through the form, as essential employee designations may change as the situation evolves. Essential employees and their supervisors should follow industry-specific COVID-19 guidelines, including resources published by the Department of Labor and the Department of Health & Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food & Drug Administration. WFU general safety precautions and employee exposure classifications are available on the EHS website. Employees who are deemed essential should send questions about health and safety guidelines to wfuehs@wfu.edu, and a colleague in EHS will respond.

Employees who are not designated to provide essential services should remain at home, even if their work cannot be performed remotely. If a colleague must come to campus, they should discuss the need with their unit head or supervisor, who should then inform Melissa Clodfelter. It is imperative for the University to record all instances of faculty and staff on campus in the event contact tracing is needed due to cases of COVID-19. Faculty and staff should not bring their children or other visitors to campus until normal operations resume.

Telehealth: 

Remote access to board-certified doctors is available around the clock by registering online, texting “bcbsnc” to MDLive (635483), or calling (888) 657-9982. Additionally, telephonic behavioral health consultations are available by calling (800) 475-7900 or visiting the Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA) website.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 

The EAP now offers telephonic counseling on topics such as anxiety and depression by calling (336) 716-5493.

Prescription Drug Plan: 

WFU Medical Plan members can now refill their maintenance medications before the refill date, and new policies are being implemented for prior authorization and specialty medication extensions. Contact OptumRx (plan number 009335) for more information:
-General Inquiries: (844) 265-1875
-Specialty Pharmacy: (855) 427-4682
-Mail Order Program: (888) 869-4600

Potential Reassignments: 

Human Resources will be collaborating with departments to reassign individuals with lessened workloads, where possible, to help complete the work that is most pressing during this pandemic. Leaders can use forms to request staff in high-volume areas or identify potential reassignments, and Human Resources will contact employees to communicate any reassignments that are offered.

Please know that we are continuously working to provide as much information as quickly as possible during these unprecedented times. The University will continue to communicate the latest determinations and will update the Faculty & Staff Information page of the COVID-19 website as new details are available.

Thank you for your collaboration, patience, and thoughtful questions, as we explore solutions to best serve our University community.

Regards,

Carmen Canales
Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

A message from President Hatch

President Nathan Hatch emailed this message to students, faculty and staff on April 22.

Dear Wake Forest students, faculty and staff,

On Easter Sunday morning, as Christians around the globe gathered to celebrate their holiest of days, we once again were faced with the news of unimaginable tragedy. In Sri Lanka, during a series of eight bombings, at least three targeting churches, 290 people were killed and nearly 500 were injured. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who lost family members and friends in these horrendous attacks. To all Christian believers on campus and around the world, I offer my deepest condolences. What was to be a day of celebration was suddenly transformed into a day of mourning.

Regardless of religion or creed, we are all affected by attacks like this. In the past several months, we have witnessed people of various faiths suffer at the hands of those who profess hatred and practice violence. Let us not become immune to the horror of these events. Instead, let us redouble our efforts to reach out to others, seek to understand one another and work to build bridges with open and compassionate hearts and minds.

Please be conscientious about your personal wellbeing, and that of your friends, in the aftermath of this tragedy. Wake Forest offers support and counseling services for all students, faculty and staff who are struggling or just want to talk. The University Counseling Center may be reached at 336-758-5273 and the Office of the Chaplain may be contacted at 336-758-5210. The Employee Assistance Program is available to faculty and staff at 336-716-5493. We encourage anyone having a difficult time to seek support.

Sincerely,

Nathan O. Hatch
President

A message from President Hatch

President Hatch emailed this message to students, faculty and staff on March 17:

Dear Wake Forest students, faculty and staff,

Once again, our world is stunned by another unspeakable tragedy, this time against innocent Muslim worshipers gathered for prayer in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. To all of the Muslim students, faculty and staff members of our Wake Forest University community, and indeed to all of our Muslim friends and neighbors everywhere, let me express my profound sorrow, especially for the victims and their families. Good people everywhere, Muslim or not, have been shattered by this hatred and violence.

I stand in solidarity with you. I remain committed to all of our efforts together to make Wake Forest a place of inclusion and respect, love and understanding, and peace. Let us continue to do what we do best: building a learning community where we see each other as humans, united in our common humanity and rich in our diversity.

Wake Forest offers support and counseling services for all students, faculty and staff who are struggling or just want to talk. The University Counseling Center may be reached at 336-758-5273 and the Office of the Chaplain may be contacted at 336-758-5210. The Employee Assistance Program is available to faculty and staff at 336-716-5493. We encourage anyone having a difficult time to seek support.

Sincerely,

Nathan O. Hatch
President

Update on Investigation into Unsubstantiated Threat

The following announcement was emailed to students, faculty and staff on the afternoon of Dec. 7 by Wake Forest Communications and External Relations:

The Winston-Salem Police Department, in partnership with Wake Forest University Police, continues to investigate an unsubstantiated threat to campus first reported on Sunday, December 2. The police investigation has ruled out several possible concerns, however, law enforcement officials have asked that details not be released due to the nature of the continuing investigation.

Barring a new development, this email will be our final campus-wide communication on this situation.

It is natural that rumors will circulate in the absence of information. We are aware of rumors that suggested individuals or groups affiliated with the campus community were possibly targets or suspects. Each lead has been thoroughly investigated by law enforcement and the University has been advised that there is no validity to any of the rumors brought to the attention of Wake Forest administrators.

There is no greater priority than the safety of our campus community. Wake Forest officials have consulted extensively on this situation with law enforcement and a national threat assessment expert. The University remains in regular contact with Winston-Salem Police.

If a threat were to require you to take action, or prompt a change in campus operations, Wake Forest would use more immediate forms of communication, to include text and phone messages. Please update your cell phone information at WakeReady.wfu.edu.

Wake Forest always offers support and counseling services for all students, faculty and staff. The University Counseling Center may be reached at 336-758-5273, the Chaplain’s Office at 336-758-5210. For faculty and staff, there is also the Employee Assistance Program at 336-716-5493.

 

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