Certified HealthierU Department

The Certified HealthierU Department program recognizes campus units that actively promote the well-being of their employees and equip them with the knowledge and resources to live healthier and happier lives. This program highlights workplace resources, programs, and standards from all eight dimensions of well-being.

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 Details

Description

Complete the submission form below and identify how many of the well-being items your campus unit currently uses, communicates, and practices. If there are well-being activities, events, resources, or programs that your campus unit practices that are not listed on the form, there is a space to write in additional options. 

Each well-being item is worth 1 point. 

Once the form is submitted the HealthierU team will respond within 48 business hours with a confirmation of completion and a notice of achievement level. 

 


 

Achievement Level

  • 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
  • The campus unit encourages employees to use healthy work-life balance practices to establish boundaries and separation of their work life from their personal life.
  • The campus unit supports flexible work scheduling as seen fit based on responsibilities.
  • The campus unit communicates opportunities for employees to visit with the Employee Assistance Program on campus.
  • The campus unit fosters a work culture where employees feel safe to speak up and ask for help without fear of judgement.
  • The campus unit shows recognition for employees who accomplish important milestones within their careers (i.e. research approvals, new certifications, performances, presentations, awards, etc).
Environmental Well-Being
  • The campus unit 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 campus unit 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 campus unit 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 campus unit 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 campus unit has one or more plants in the office space and a plan in place to effectively and sustainably care for the plant(s).
  • The campus unit 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 campus unit 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 campus unit uses the UNL Inventory Marketplace when purchasing new equipment or furniture for the office.
  • The campus unit 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 campus unit ensures that all employees know how to report water leaks to the building’s Building Maintenance Reporter.
  • The campus unit prioritizes office supplies made of recycled content and participates in the Canon Cost Per Copy Program. 
Financial Well-Being
Intellectual Well-Being
  • The campus unit encourages employees to participate in new certifications, webinars, classes, or continuing education courses to expand their knowledge within their respective fields or interests.
  • The campus unit encourages employees to participate in the Employee and Dependent Scholarship program to purpose continuing their education. 
  • The campus unit reminds employees of the opportunities to enroll in OLLI ( The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) programs. 
Occupational Well-Being
  • The campus unit provides opportunities for professional development internally or through external professional organizations.
  • The campus unit shows recognition for employees who accomplish important milestones within their careers (i.e. research approvals, new certifications, performances, presentations, awards, etc).
  • The campus unit 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 campus unit encourages employees to use healthy work-life balance practices to establish boundaries and separation of their work life from their personal life.
  • The campus unit supports flexible work scheduling as seen fit based on responsibilities.
  • The campus unit has brought their employees through the Clifton Strengths assessment and has had their employees identify at least their top five strengths.
  • The campus unit shares learning seminar opportunities through Organizational Development & Training.
Physical Well-Being
  • The campus unit encourages employees to fill out the annual Health Risk Assessment.
  • The campus unit encourages employees to take short breaks during their workday to walk, meditate, or stretch.
  • The campus unit implements the option to take meetings outside and use a “walk-n-talk” method versus traditional stationary meetings or discussions.
  • The campus unit has ergonomic office furniture (i.e. standing desks or stability ball chairs).
  • The campus unit 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 campus unit 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 campus unit displays Husker Safe Walk signage around the office to remind employees of services for those who work later hours.
  • The campus unit encourages the employees to partake in committees and working groups across campus.
  • The campus unit recognizes employee’s birthdays/work anniversaries during meetings or in newsletters.
Spiritual Well-Being
  • The campus unit has established a set of values and regularly revisits them and refers to them during discussions.
  • The campus unit encourages employees to take time to meditate or journal throughout the workday.

Submission Form

Click here for the submission form

2024 Campus Unit Recipients

Gold

  • Vice Chancellor For Student Life
  • Office of Research and Innovation
  • Center on Children, Families, and the Law
  • Institutional Equity and Compliance
  • Office of Graduate Studies
  • Educational Psychology
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • UNL Athletics
  • UNL College of Business-Business Career Center
  • Center for Academic Success and Transition
  • Agronomy and Horticulture
  • Nebraska Alumni Association
  • University Libraries
  • Nebraska Extension
  • Office of Graduate Studies

Silver

  • Counseling and Psychological Services
  • Entomology
  • Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
  • Cather Dining Hall

Bronze

  • Engagement and Service Team, University Operations
  • Mail and Distribution
  • Raikes School
  • Accreditation, Licensure and Placement