Wellness and Work/Life Balance

Wellness and Work/Life Balance (W&WLB) exists to offer employees the services, programs and tools they need to balance their work and personal commitments. These programs and services increase employee engagement, lead to a positive work environment and foster a supportive university community.

Functional Services

W&WLB offers advice, consultations and customized workplace climate assessments to supervisors and managers looking to build a great work environment. We also offer community service events and opportunities for individual employees and departmental teams to provide hands-on service in the WNY area, as well as programs that encourage our retirees to remain involved in the university’s commitment to community service.

Wellness Programs and Initiatives:

We offer a variety of programs and services to help employees on their journey to personal wellness such as:

  • Fitness classes (i.e., yoga, tai chi)
  • Exercise is Medicine
  • Support groups (i.e., Weight Watchers)
  • Our campus walking program
  • UB Wellfest, an annual employee wellness fair

Work/Life Balance Programming and Services:

We understand the importance of a healthy work/life balance. Our programs and services provide information and assistance to improve personal, emotional and financial well-being such as:

  • Employee discount program
  • Lunch and Learn series
  • Alternate work arrangements
  • Lactation information

Workplace Climate, Assessment and Consultation:

W&WLB staff strive to maintain UB’s great workplace climate. We provide consultation, best-place-to-work assessment and local workplace climate assessment to gather information to:

  • Design custom departmental workplace climate surveys
  • Provide supervisors and managers with advisement and recommendations to improve workplace climate 

UB has been recognized as a Great Place to Work:

  • Chronicle of Higher Education Great College to Work For 2008-2013
  • Working Mothers Best Company to Work For 2011
  • Alliance for Work/Life Progress Seal of Distinction 2013-2014

Employee Recognition:

Effective employee recognition is essential for a robust workplace climate and high employee morale. We maintain the university’s employee recognition program, Attitude of Gratitude, UB begins with “U.”

We facilitate employee recognition by:

  • Maintaining a list of campus best practices
  • Customizing recognition program solutions for departments
  • Administering the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service Award

Community Service Opportunities, Programs and Initiatives:

We coordinate opportunities for employees and students to engage in hands-on community service opportunities in the WNY area including:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
  • Community Outreach for Employees (CORE)
  • Retired Employee Volunteers University Program (REV-UP)
  • Employee Volunteer Service Fair
  • Various donation drives