HEALTH * MATTERS

HEALTH*MATTERS, the worksite health promotion program for faculty and staff, helps to create a campus environment that improves the health and quality of life of Berkeley faculty and staff. The wide range of programs offered target individual faculty and staff, as well as managers and supervisors, to help our workforce be healthy and at work and to contribute to higher performance, morale, and job satisfaction.

HEALTH*MATTERS is an interdepartmental program coordinated by the University Health Services. Department sponsors include the Human Resources Benefits Unit; Office of Environment, Health & Safety; Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports; Physical Education Program, and the University Health Services: CARE Services for Faculty and Staff, Health Promotion, Occupational Health, and Workers' Compensation & Vocational Rehabilitation.

HEALTH*MATTERS offers a variety of programs to build awareness, educate, and promote behavior change in support of the development and maintenance of a healthy workforce:

  • Classes and workshops on topics such as computer health, nutrition, fitness and exercise, relaxation skills, back care, healthy lifestyle habits, smoking cessation, and women's health
  • Ergonomics training for campus computer users and departmental computer workstation evaluators
  • Incentive-based exercise programs, including the HEALTH*MATTERS Walking Program
  • Self-care educational materials and guides on a range of health topics available confidentially through campus mail and on the HEALTH*MATTERS website
  • Health and safety fairs for departments
  • Healthy Choices, includes heart-healthy food choices at the Faculty Club and Eating Out, Eating Lean, an annual guide to lower fat choices at restaurants on and around campus
  • HEALTH*MATTERS also supports managers and supervisors in their responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment:
  • Healthy Office Supervisor's Packet, which includes reproducible fact sheets on computer workstation design, stress in the office, back care, and personal safety. Also includes healthy office tips for supervisors and a campus resource guide.
  • Excellence in Supervision . . . Promoting a Safe and Healthy Work Environment, a 3-1/2 hour training for departments, developed to help managers and supervisors fulfill the Administrative Vision principle of providing a safe and healthy work environment. Co-facilitated by EH&S and HEALTH*MATTERS.
  • Wellness Workshops for Departments: These 15-30-minute workshops are designed to help managers and supervisors create a healthy office environment. Topics include: Take a Stretch Break, Relaxation Skills, and Fitting Fitness In. Computer Health Matters, a 1 1/2 hour workshop, is also available upon request by departments.
  • Consultations for managers and supervisors available upon request.

How to Support Health in the Workplace

  • Post and distribute HEALTH*MATTERS program flyers and mention upcoming classes and workshops in your staff meetings.
  • Support staff in attending health and safety training and events.
  • Designate a wellness area on department staff bulletin board and/or establish a health and safety library in your department or unit.
  • Familiarize yourself with the available health education materials and self-care guides available through campus mail or the Web site.
  • Incorporate health and safety training into performance objectives.
  • Support flexible work arrangements for health activities (attending classes or walking programs at noontime, later arrival, or early departure to exercise).
  • Organize a Computers at Work class for the department or a wellness workshop for a staff meeting.
  • Highlight your openness to participation in wellness activities and use of flexible work arrangements.
  • Advocate for a wellness representative on your department’s health and safety committee.
  • List wellness programs as one of the many University benefits.