Certified HealthierU Department

Our Certified HealthierU Department is a program focused on giving recognition to the departments across campus doing their part to spread awareness and provide resources to their employees to live happier and healthier lives. This program highlights workplace resources, programs, and standards from all eight dimensions of well-being (environmental, social, intellectual, financial, physical, emotional, spiritual, and occupational). If you are interested in getting your department involved or have questions regarding the program please contact the HealthierU program directly at HealthierU@unl.edu.

 

Program submissions will open on March 17, 2025

Program Details

Description

Using the list as a guide, determine how many activities your department is currently doing and possibly find inspiration to add new ones in. Each activity is worth 1 point.  If you believe your department is performing healthy habits with activities that are not listed below, contact Annalisa to check if the activity can be added to your list.

Fill out this webform to submit your points for the program. Once the submission has been reviewed a response will be sent back confirming the status of the department.
 

Certification Levels

  • Bronze Level: The department has at least 15 points which are from at least 6 of the 8 dimensions of wellness.
  • Silver Level: The department has at least 20 points which are from at least 7 of the 8 dimensions of wellness.
  • Gold Level: The department has at least 25 points which are from all 8 of the dimensions of wellness.

Well-Being List

Emotional Well-Being

  • Department provides opportunities for professional development internally or through external professional organizations.
  • The department shows recognition for employees who accomplish important milestones within their careers (i.e. research approvals, new certifications, performances, presentations, awards, etc).
  • The department performs annual performance evaluations with their employees to recognize their employees' areas of strength in addition to discussing areas of improvement to help build their professional development.
  • The department encourages employees to use healthy work-life balance practices to establish boundaries and separation of their work life from their personal life.
  • The department supports flexible work scheduling as seen fit based on responsibilities.
  • The department has brought their employees through the Clifton Strengths assessment and has had their employees identify at least their top five strengths.
  • The department takes advantages of Diversity and Inclusion professional development or diversity discussions at least once a year.
  • The department shares learning seminar opportunities through our University Human Resources department.

Environmental Well-Being

  • The department actively encourages team members to reduce waste through the use of reusable materials such as coffee mugs, water bottles, cutlery, grocery/food bags, etc.
  • All team members within the department are knowledgeable about what can and cannot be recycled on campus through awareness of UNL's Recycling Guide. Employees are responsible for their waste items and transport them to an All in the Hall recycling station and sort them into the correct stream.
  • The department encourages employees to be mindful of their energy use by turning off lights and other equipment (computers, monitors, copy machines, etc.) at the end of the day. If equipment cannot be shut down, check for low energy use settings.
  • The department has clearly marked evacuation routes in case of an emergency and reviews safety plans or emergency plans annually with the employees.
  • If suitable conditions exist, the department has one or more plants in the office space and a plan in place to effectively and sustainably care for the plant(s).
  • The department hosts at least one sustainability-related learning opportunity (i.e. Sustainability 101 presentation during a departmental meeting) for team members annually through partnership with the UNL Office of Sustainability.
  • The department ensures that all employees comply with UNL’s Foam Free Campus policy and does not use university funds for purchasing items made of Styrofoam or polystyrene.
  • The department uses the UNL Inventory Marketplace when purchasing new equipment or furniture for the office.
  • The department ensures that all employees are aware of UNL’s sustainable transportation options including free StarTran bus passes, discounted BikeLNK memberships, and the Parking & Transit carpool permit program.
  • The department ensures that all employees know how to report water leaks to the building’s Building Maintenance Reporter.
  • The department prioritizes office supplies made of recycled content and participates in the Canon Cost Per Copy Program. 

Financial Well-Being

Intellectual Well-Being

  • The department encourages employees to participate in new certifications, webinars, classes, or continuing education courses to expand their knowledge within their respective fields or interests.
  • The department encourages employees to participate in the Employee and Dependent Scholarship program to purpose continuing their education. 
  • The department reminds employees of the opportunities to enroll in OLLI ( The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) programs. 

Occupational Well-Being

  • The department provides opportunities for professional development internally or through external professional organizations.
  • The department shows recognition for employees who accomplish important milestones within their careers (i.e. research approvals, new certifications, performances, presentations, awards, etc).
  • The department performs annual performance evaluations with their employees to recognize their employees' areas of strength in addition to discussing areas of improvement to help build their professional development.
  • The department encourages employees to use healthy work-life balance practices to establish boundaries and separation of their work life from their personal life.
  • The department supports flexible work scheduling as seen fit based on responsibilities.
  • The department has brought their employees through the Clifton Strengths assessment and has had their employees identify at least their top five strengths.
  • The department shares learning seminar opportunities through Organizational Development & Training.

Physical Well-Being

  • The department encourages employees to fill out the annual Health Risk Assessment.
  • The department encourages employees to take short breaks during their workday to walk, meditate, or stretch.
  • The department implements the option to take meetings outside and use a “walk-n-talk” method versus traditional stationary meetings or discussions.
  • The department has ergonomic office furniture (i.e. standing desks or stability ball chairs).
  • The department adheres to and promotes the campus Tobacco Free Space policies and promotes smoking cessation support services through the Employee Assistance Program.

Social Well-Being

  • The department hosts at least two events per semester that allow employees to socialize in a non-work-forced environment (i.e. holiday parties, potlucks, etc.).
  • The department displays Husker Safe Walk signage around the office to remind employees of services for those who work later hours.
  • The department encourages the employees to partake in committees and working groups across campus.
  • The department recognizes employee’s birthdays/work anniversaries during meetings or in newsletters.

Spiritual Well-Being

  • The department has established a set of values and regularly revisits them and refers to them during discussions.
  • The department encourages employees to take time to meditate or journal throughout the workday.