University Human Resources Health and Well-Being FY22 Annual Report

CAMPUS IMPACT AND FUTURE-FOCUS: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING ANNUAL REPORT FY22 University Human Resources

Combined, there were 17,944 total participants in various programs and services offered. This represents 11,864 unique faculty and staff participants that used UI Employee Assistance Program, UI Family Services, and/or liveWELL. Employees who have opportunities to enhance their overall well-being are healthier and happier leading to greater engagement, performance, and satisfaction at work.

The environment in which we work also impacts the choices that we make. The units of UI Employee Assistance Program, Family Services, and UI Wellness/LiveWELL are committed to a healthy campus culture through both individual and organizational strategies.

HELPING EMPLOYEES Through Tough Times

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Financial stress affects every aspect of a person’s well-being, significantly impacting an organization’s vitality. In 2021, 31% of UI employees reported financial stress. The effects of stress, financial or otherwise are seen in absenteeism, performance challenges, and health related issues (Forbes online 11/2017).

Emergency Hardship Fund UI EAP, in collaboration with Family Services, launched the UI Emergency Hardship Fund in July 2021. The fund was established to support costs, of up to $1000, related to an unforseen emergency event or crisis which created financial hardship.

“Thanks to this fund, I no longer have to depend on rides from others to get to work.” ”The hardship fund has released some stress. This helps me concentrate on work during the day at UIHC.”

Hardship Fund Eligibility: • 50% or greater, regular faculty and staff • 6 months or more continuous employment in a benefits-eligible position • Hardship event has occurred within 3 months of application • Have an individual annual gross income of $50,000 per year or under

52 EMPLOYEES were awarded funds

Three most common expenses awarded: • loss of income • housing • burial expenses

96% of award recipients reported that their well-being has or will improve as a result of being awarded funds through the Emergency Hardship Fund.

Mental Health @ Iowa

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University HR Health and Well-Being areas (UI EAP and liveWELL) participated in the Covid-19 Mental Health Postvention Taskforce which developed and deployed deliverables throughout Fiscal Year 2022. These efforts increased accessibility to services by promoting well-being for our entire campus community.

• 4 Speaker Series panels focused on Suicide Prevention, Navigating Relationships, Well-being and Coping, and Campus Resources • 300+ live viewers and 3,000+ recorded views • Curated weekly articles shared with UI • Over 13,000 views

• 8 videos created for “In This Together” series spreading positive messages of postpandemic recovery • UI EAP began offering same-day emergent sessions for employees

FINANCIAL Well-Being

FEATURED

WELLNESS GRANT

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• 7 virtual workshops offered/326 participants • 61 UI families, received free financial coaching through Horizons.

• Breakdown of primary topic for which financial coaching was utilized: • 69% student loans • 24% financial capability • 7% home purchase

Public Service Loan Forgiveness In 2021, the Department of Education announced a temporary rules waiver to ease some of the program restrictions and frustrations with the process. Given the University of Iowa is a qualifying employer, efforts were made to communicate this opportunity to eligible faculty and staff.

• 154 participants in webinar • 92% report they are committed to taking action on at least one piece of the information that was provided in the session • 96% would recommend this session to others

“For someone who isn’t as fluent in financial literacy as I would like to be, the presenter conveyed the information in a very understandable way.”

Web content and a news article was circulated to promote the webinar where employees could learn more about this opportunity.

EMBEDDING WELL-BEING: Wellness Grants Research suggests that people we spend most of our time with can inspire healthy behaviors—if a co-worker exhibits healthy behaviors, we are more likely to show similar behaviors. Our environment certainly influences our behaviors.

By providing grant funds directly to departments for activities that promote physical and emotional health and well-being, liveWELL aims to make practicing healthy habits in the workplace easier, which in turn supports a culture of health on campus.

• 11 Wellness Grants awarded in FY22 • 1,064 staff, 134 faculty members, and 89 student employees or volunteers were directly impacted by Wellness Grants.

WINNERS

Department of Religious Studies – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Finals Week yoga, healthy snacks, Mental Health at Iowa information, chair massage for faculty, staff and students. President Barbara Wilson visited the event to show her support.

“The students/staff/faculty were very vocal about how much it meant to them that we hosted this event.”

- Robin Burns Administrative Services Coordinator, Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology – Carver College of Medicine Community Garden Outside of Bowen Science Building “Someone stops by my office almost daily to comment or ask about our garden. I am happy with the results because its given our faculty, staff, and students something to rally around and talk about that is positive. The health benefits of being in nature and appreciating the growth of our seeds is being experienced by so many!”

- Denise Jurca Departmental Administrator, Anatomy and Cell Biology

UI EAP By The Numbers UI EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Delivery method was satisfactory:

The Employee Assistance Program responded to demand for services this year by increasing access to counseling by offering more late afternoon, evening, and lunch time appointments. Employees were able to use telehealth or in person options at three locations and responded with high agreement of satisfaction for the delivery of these services.

92% of respondents surveyed would recommend EAP and felt their wellbeing improved as a result of their participation in EAP.

1,937 participants in 1,552 sessions

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• 92% of clients surveyed agreed to strongly agreed that they would recommend EAP to others • 92% of clients surveyed agreed to strongly agreed that their wellbeing had improved from their EAP involvement • 100 people received QPR/Suicide Prevention training • 140 people used the free sleep app REFRESH • 140 downloaded Refresh app • 500+ participants in trainings and presentations • 100+ supervisory referrals/consults • $159,856 savings using EAP for counseling versus external providers

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96% AGREED

39% support

IN-PERSON

61% ZOOM

“I have sought help via EAP twice and for different reasons during my career and both times my work with the counselors opened up new perspectives that supported my well-being and the well-being of family members.”

HR.UIOWA.EDU/EMPLOYEE-WELL-BEING The Health and Well-Being areas of University Human Resources include: UI Employee Assistance Program • Family Services UI Wellness/liveWELL We offer programs and services to address many aspects of well-being: Financial • Physical Activity • Workplace Wellness Family and Relationships • Emotional Support • Nutrition Chronic Condition Prevention • Workplace Flexibility Resilience • Child Care Resources Elder Caregiving Resources • Managing Stress We work with these partners from campus and the community: Horizons, A Family Service Alliance • LivWell Seniors, Inc. TIAA • University Employee Health Clinic Recreational Services • UI Health Care • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Health and Human Physiology