Who We Are

Program Overview

The University of Arizona's most recent designations as:

• The 2004 Recipient of the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award and as one of
• "20 Cutting Edge Work/Life Programs" in the United States and "America's Healthiest Companies"

reflects the successful and responsive nature of UA Life & Work Connections' innovative work/life programs, its support of focused excellence and its strategic recruitment and retention value to the University.

According to the Arizona Psychological Association, sponsors of the annual "Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award, "The University of Arizona met the best practices criteria...(regarding) psychologically healthy work environments...employee health, well-being, productivity and the financial bottom line...based upon the integrated (employee and student) programs and resources of UA Life & Work Connections...."

In researching exemplary initiatives, the "Work/Life Today" division of the National Institute of Business Management, particularly commended the University's integrated, "whole person" model in support of individual and organizational resiliency and as a business recruitment and retention tool. The University of Arizona was the only institution of higher learning cited in this national profile of "best practices," cutting edge work/life programs.

The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) national committee reviewed and evaluated programs and benefits offered through Human Resources and UA Life & Work Connections, and through our partnerships with Campus Health, Campus Recreation and Risk Management & Safety. Our integration of services to address "whole person wellness" allows us to work with university employees from the time they begin employment through retirement, on the job and at home with their families. This level of responsiveness was cited as a critical component in WELCOA's designation of the University as a "Gold Well Workplace." The University of Arizona is the largest institution of higher education to receive this award to date.

In partnership with the State of Arizona, UA Life & Work Connections is dedicated to increasing resiliency, workplace effectiveness and productivity in employees and the organization. We do this by identifying, designing and providing specialized services that address the evolving work/life needs of individuals in order to enhance their contribution to the University of Arizona and the community.

The following family of services allows us to address a variety of employee needs:

• Employee Assistance Counseling / Consultation provides individual counseling and departmental consultation services on a variety of personal and workplace issues. Group presentations are also available by request.
• Worksite Wellness offers educational presentations and activities, such as a flu prevention program and worksite wellness screenings for employees in support of wellness goals.
• Child Care and Family Resources provides a broad spectrum of information, referral, financial, educational and sick child and emergency/back-up care services to employee and student parents with current or anticipated child care and parenting issues.
• Elder Care and Life Cycle Resources offers information, referral and educational services for employees and students who have, or anticipate having, elder care and family caregiving issues.
• Work/Life Support and resources are offered to employees and departments on current issues and emerging trends, such as lactation resources and alternative work arrangements. Professional consultation and advisement services, with support from campus partners, are available on the dynamics of work and life and their campus implications.

Please call the appropriate unit to arrange an appointment or presentation. You will find phone numbers on the web pages linked above. You can share your ideas or feedback with me via email, or by phone at: (520) 621-2493.